When and why should you use automated ball and butterfly valves? Any piping system with valves that are subject to the following conditions or concerns will be excellent applications for automated valves.
Safety: Valves located in elevated areas that are difficult to reach, such as a piping galley or on the side of a tank create safety concerns. Not just because they may require crawling out on a pipe or some other structure, but climbing ladders outdoors during winter in icy conditions can create hazards and be dangerous. In addition, hazardous gases that could leak, or any valve that is better operated from a distance due to heat, explosives, or other hazards in the general area are potential applications. Fail-safe spring return actuated valves may help meet safety standards required by law.
Cost of manpower: Valves requiring frequent or rapid opening and closing are excellent candidates for automation. Often it is difficult to do a manual operation in a timely manner. Due to the difficulty in turning some valves it becomes impossible to keep up with frequent manual operation. These valves should be automated valves.
Remote locations: Valves that are some distance away from the operator who must cycle the valve should be automated. Automated ball and butterfly valves can be operated hundreds and even thousands of miles away from the control room. Using telephone, radio frequency and other such hard wire and wireless control signals a plant can now get almost instant response from their remote valves.
Image credit: DynaQuip Controls