Flow assurance is a critical component in the design and operation of offshore production facilities, especially as the industry moves to deeper water, longer tiebacks, deeper wells, and higher temperature and pressure reservoirs. The transition to these new environments can introduce conditions that restrict flow, such as hydration, corrosion, or the buildup of wax, asphaltene, scale, and emulsion. Refineries use chemical treatment to mitigate these blockages.
However, over- or under-injection of chemicals has several detrimental effects. Over-injection increases chemical consumption and resulting costs, as well as additional field trips to replenish chemical storage tanks. It can also adversely impact downstream processing or treatment programs and result in contamination penalties. Under injection can be ineffective, risking mechanical integrity and production output.
“Proper chemical dosing in deepwater and high-pressure/high-temperature refining environments can prevent blockages and flow instability, helping to ensure optimum fluid behavior, protect asset integrity and stimulate production,” said Julia Villa, product marketing manager with Emerson’s fluid and motion control business. “Specifically designed to work with Micro Motion™ Coriolis flow meters in offshore chemical injection processes, TESCOM RC-X motorized injection rate control valves enable accurate dosing that reduces downtime and chemical waste associated with over injection.”
With a short-stroke design (less than 1/8 of an inch), TESCOM RC-X control valves are accurate up to 15,000 pounds per square inch (psi) and offer ultra-low flow rates of 0.02–500 liters per hour and repeatable function with 4–20 milliampere (mA) control for precise flow assurance. Electric actuation eliminates air requirements, preferable when compressed air is unavailable or unreliable.
Available in medium- and high-pressure models, modular TESCOM RC-X control valves are lightweight and compact, with a smaller motor footprint than similar chemical injection rate products, allowing for smaller, lighter skid designs. The valve itself also has fewer moving parts than comparable products, reducing risk of mechanical failure over time, performing more consistently and requiring less maintenance. They’re explosion-proof, IP67-rated, and are compliant to NACE MR0175.
Designed to meet a variety of industry demands, Micro Motion Coriolis flow meters deliver the most accurate, repeatable mass flow measurement for liquids, gases, or slurries. The Emerson TESCOM™ RC-X motorized injection rate control valve helps offshore refineries achieve accurate, repeatable chemical injection, reducing chemical waste, downtime, and overall operating costs.
To learn more about TESCOM RC-X motorized injection rate control valves, visit: www.emerson.com/RC-X
