Decarbonisation Technology - February 2024 Issue

Figure 4 The ASCO Series

hydrogen and nitrogen. ‘Blue’ hydrogen is produced from natural gas using steam methane reforming (SMR) fitted with carbon capture technology to produce hydrogen with a much lower carbon intensity. Ammonia is heavily used in fertiliser production globally, so using blue hydrogen as the feedstock will consequently reduce the carbon intensity

Advanced Redundant Control System for emergency shutdown valve applications in SIS

These advanced redundant control systems are now available

in 2oo3 (two out of three) redundant solenoid valve piloting configurations. They combine the advantages of both 1oo2 and 2oo2 systems to achieve a high level of process safety and reliability. These advanced valve blocks feature a direct valve-to-valve design that eliminates pipework and fittings that could be points of failure. They also provide visual status indication and feedback to facilitate maintenance and bypass options to allow easy online maintenance. Decarbonising key oil and gas processes The oil and gas industry will continue to face major challenges as it seeks to meet worldwide decarbonisation goals, satisfy regulatory requirements, and still remain a profitable and valuable part of our modern industrial infrastructure. The application of smart new technologies such as low-wattage solenoid valves, thief hatch monitoring systems, and advanced redundant SIS platforms offer valuable tools at key points from wellhead to tank storage to refinery and chemical plants. Working with technology suppliers who have a deep understanding of the industry’s operations, process technology, and sustainability challenges can help provide insight and proven technologies to keep finding innovative ways to help reduce emissions and sustain competitive value. Floor to Cloud and TopWorx are trademarks of Emerson.

of the ammonia produced. In addition, with the surge of interest in hydrogen as a fuel, ammonia presents a lower cost to store or transport hydrogen over long distances. Hydrogen can then be recovered from the ammonia for use in applications such as fuel cells for cars. Expanding the production of blue ammonia will contribute to global decarbonisation goals, but this expansion needs to be done safely and efficiently. Ammonia production units, as well as all chemical plants, feature hundreds of critical solenoid valve systems. If any of these valves malfunction, operators may be forced to shut down processes with major cost impacts in lost production and time. Safety systems that can be used and tested without undue impact on normal operations can avoid unscheduled downtime and increase the value of these new plants. As such, these units are designed with safety instrumented systems (SIS), including sensors, controllers, and emergency shutdown (ESD) block valves that, in combination with plant monitoring and control systems, provide a multi- layered approach to process and personnel safety (see Figure 4 ). In many SIS applications, the solenoid valve remains energised in the open position during normal operation. To ensure the valve actuates in an overpressure or other hazardous event, valves need to be periodically actuated or ‘exercised’. However, exercising the SIS valve block can require downtime on a production line, and plant owners may resist this vital safety step. Fortunately, there are now advanced solenoid valve blocks that feature multiple valves in one block so that each solenoid can be tested separately without taking the entire SIS system offline.

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Anne-Sophie Kedad