Specification for Actuator
While API 6A gives some requirement for Actuator, other Valvestandards/Specification does not go into details of actuator and the basic minimum requirement for actuator.
For Example when procuring ESDV, SDV and MOVs the Actuator requirements are never properly specified by the user (Including the likes of Shell and Exxon and Total) and the users and the contractors are fully dependent on the acuator supplier's disposal since the ball valve standards do not delve into this.
The query: Are there ISO or BS EN or ANSI standards that deals with the actuators?
For pneumatic actuators you need to advise the actuating medium such as instrument air or process gas as well as the minimum pressure so that the forces used for actuator sizing work at the minimum pressure. Consider a pressure regulator set at the minimum or at least well below the maximum pressure rating of the actuator. If the supply can exceed the actuator rating include a PSV in the actuator controls to protect the actuator.
For emergency shutdown valves the actuator requires a spring that opposes the pneumatic force to close the valve upon failure of the pneumatic medium. This is available with diaphragm and single acting piston actuators. Double acting actuators and vane actuators lack a force balance means to close a valve for emergency shutdown. Electric motor operated valves and electro-hydraulic actuators lack the force balance to move the valve to a failure position upon loss of the energy force.
Consider position switches to indicate the valve position and perhaps include the position status in the logic to alarm the difference between the command and actual position.
Quick exhaust valves are normally required for valves NPS 24 and larger.
Offshore actuators and nasty plant environments often use a closed pneumatic loop that keeps instrument air on the actuator instead of inhaling the atomospheric air when cycled.
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