Flexflo Considerations and Sizing

Flexflo Considerations

• Highlights:-Simple, reliable operation: One moving part-Nitrogen loaded valves Flexflo valves have the fastest response time-Valves reseat completely, and can reduce chatter

• Limitations-Lower flowrates for nominal pipe sizes-Higher initial investment cost in many applications-Individual elastomers each have unique characteristics and limitations

Loading Options

• Pilot Loaded:-Standalone performance: Loading pressure sourced from flowing medium-Slow response time with liquid applications

• Nitrogen Loaded-Loading with Nitrogen or other inert gas has allows for fast response time, even with liquid service-Overall total flow restricted: jacket pressure does not decrease

Loading Options (continued)

• Panel Loaded:-Using a panel to nitrogen load the jacket pressure allows for the benefits of gas loading, add additional features, and addresses the limitations of a loading block -Capacity Boosting properties by venting the jacket pressure

• Panel Options:-Vent jacket pressure to allow full open valve-Additional gauges to provide information to operators about process pressure, nitrogen pressure(s), valve state, etc.-Test ports and alarms

Sizing

Capacity Table:-Capacity table looks different than most-Cv is replaced by the Maximum Flow Factor, essentially the maximum Cv value at full open-Addition Performance Curve Slope (Cs) term describes performance at less than full open

Sizing Equation

• Traditional Sizing Equation:

Q: Flowrate in GPMCv: Valve CoeffecientKq: Viscosity Correction FactorP: Pressure in psiS.G. : Specific Gravity

• Flexflo Sizing Equation:

Ff: Flow Factor

%OP: Percent Over Pressure

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 4500

5000

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25000

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Comparing Pilot Loading and Nitrogen Block Loading

Upstream Pressure

Flow

in G

PM

Example Configuration:-12” Model 887-150 psi Set Point-50 psi Back Pressure

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 4500

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

30000

35000

Comparing Pilot Loading and Nitrogen Block Loading with Viscous Flow

Upstream Pressure

Flow

in G

PM

Example Configuration:-12” Model 887-150 psi Set Point-50 psi Back Pressure

Viscous Example:-Representative of Heavy Crude Oil

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 4500

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

Comparing Pilot Loading , Nitrogen Block Loading, Panel Loading with Viscous Flow

Upstream Pressure

Flow

in G

PM

Example Configuration:-12” Model 887-150 psi Set Point-50 psi Back Pressure-Representative of Heavy Crude Oil-Capacity Boosting PanelSet to Vent @ 200 psi

Budgetary Pricing

• Valves:• 2”-6” 900 TE Top Entry Valves-$2,500 - $10,000• 1”-6” Model 83 Valves-$1,500 - $9,000• 4”-12” Model 887 Surge Reliever-$20,000 - $200,00012” Model 887 150# : $105,000

• Loading Options:• Loading Block-$500-$2000• Pilot Loading-$1000-$2000• Panel Loaded -$5,000-$20,000

Q+A

Contact:Rob BarchardBarchard Engineering780-436-6124Rob.B@BarchardEngineering.com

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