McIlvaine is assisting scrubber/adsorber system suppliers and users with
selection of valves for the tough applications
Valves used to control and isolate scrubber slurries and acids frequently are
among the highest maintenance components of scrubber/adsorber systems.
McIlvaine has already provided extensive analysis of gate and pinch valves for
the limestone and calcium sulfate slurries utilized in flue gas desulfurization
(FGD). We are now expanding to cover all the severe service applications.
Ross Waters of CGIS is a world expert on severe service applications. We will be
working with him to analyze the options for gas treatment as well as other
processes.
One adsorber application involves molecular sieves. The fine zeolite
particles leak from the sieve bed causing havoc on downstream valves.
Molecular sieves need to be regenerated. Therefore, two units are required. One
regenerates while the other absorbs. To switch between units a switching valve
is used. The ethanol industry uses molecular sieves for dehydration of the
alcohol. We learn from Ross that triple offset butterfly valves such as made by
Tyco and Adams are commonly used for this application. However, there are
issues relative to pressure drop minimization which do need to be addressed.
The application of switching valves for molecular sievers in the natural gas
industry is particularly challenging. Historically, the rising stem ball
valve (RSBV) has been used in this application. But the selection is complicated
and depends to some extent on the severe conditions.
Flowserve generalizes that this valve with its friction-free linear
movement and mechanically energized metal seat has proven it to be the most
suitable design for optimal long-term performance in severe applications.
Cameron also recommends the rising stem ball valve. Cameron says it provides
tight shutoff, withstands frequent cycling, and handles high temperatures better
than other valve types in this service.
ValvTecnologies draws some different conclusions based on specific experiences.
They say that more long-term success has been realized with metal seated quarter
turn-ball valves and can cite installations where the rising stem ball valves
have been replaced. ValvTechnologies’ zero-leakage carbide coated metal seated
ball valves were selected and installed for a major operator’s sour gas plant in
Monkman, British Columbia, replacing rising stem ball valves that lasted one
year in service. These valves feature the same design proven since
ValvTechnologies produced the seat supported fixed ball design.
The first installation in a molecular sieve lasted eight years after its initial
installation, providing severe service zero-leakage isolation.
Given a conservative one day shut-down per year to replace other designed
valves in a plant processing 220mmcfd of saleable gas at $750,000 per day.
That is $6.0M in improved efficiency over the course of eight years.
A discussion of severe service applications and an extensive analysis of the
natural gas application is provided in a recent feature article by McIlvaine
Company.
http://www.mcilvainecompany.com/Decision_Tree/subscriber/Severe_Service_Valve_04_14_16.pdf
Here are Some Headlines from the Utility E-Alert – April 8, 2016
UTILITY E-ALERT
#1267 – April 8, 2016
COAL – US
§
Hearing underway on OG&E Application for Coal Scrubbers at Sooner Power Plant
§
PacifiCorp expects to close Naughton Unit 3 at End of 2017
COAL – WORLD
§
Public Forum held by EPA and Volta River Authority on Coal-fired Power Plant at
Ekumfi, Ghana
§
Two Turbines for Coal-fired Power Plant in Punta Catalina, Bina, Santo Domingo,
Dominican Republic
The
41F Utility
E-Alert
is issued weekly and covers the coal-fired projects, regulations and other
information important to the suppliers. It is $950/yr. but is included in the
$3020
42EI
Utility Tracking System
which has data on every plant and project plus networking directories and many
other features.
World Gas Treatment Market to Reach $35 Billion Next Year
The investment to remove noxious gases from exhaust stacks combined with the
investment in treating process gases in 2017 will generate revenues of $35
billion for system suppliers. This is the conclusion reached by the McIlvaine
Company by aggregating forecasts appearing in three of its market reports.
Gas Treatment Revenues Worldwide
2017 |
|
Application |
$ Million |
Power Plant Flue Gas
Desulfurization |
2,700 |
Power Plant and Industrial DeNOx |
8,500 |
Industrial Exhaust Noxious Gas
Removal |
7,800 |
Process Gas Treatment |
16,000 |
Total |
35,000
|
The market for power plant flue gas desulfurization (FGD) will be taking a
temporary nose dive as China completes its retrofit program and activity in
Europe and the U.S. is weak. On the other hand, China continues a massive
coal-to-chemicals and syngas program which requires removal of acid gas,
mercury, H2O and certain other gases.
The DeNOx market will be strong with a mix of purchases by power,
cement, incineration and refinery operators.
The gas treatment capex for upstream oil and gas will be weak, but treatment
investment by the petrochemical companies in the U.S., China and elsewhere will
be strong.
More information on these markets can be found at:
N008
Scrubber/Adsorber/Biofilter World Markets
N027 FGD
Market and Strategies
Flow Control and Treatment Companies will benefit from a Digital Crystal Ball
The digital age has created the ability to make fortune telling a reality. The
real life version of a crystal ball is the wealth of information available to
predict markets, projects and identify decision makers. This information can be
used to change the way flow control and treatment products are marketed.
Long range purchasing plans can be determined by an organized analysis of
information which can be obtained directly from available documents or through
individuals who have specific insights.
Minutes of municipality meetings
documenting engineering study
authorization |
Consultant reports advising
course of action for companies
under public scrutiny |
Permit applications for
construction or upgrading |
Submittals to the World Bank and
other lending institutions |
|
Five Year Plans for China and
other countries |
Recent and pending regulations
which will impact the market |
LinkedIn, blogs and various
online groups with willing
volunteers of information |
Google and other search engines |
The local salesman can make a call on a municipal wastewater treatment plant but
would be unlikely to provide the same value gained from the directors meeting
minutes which outline the failure of the competitor’s equipment and his proposal
to fix it.
The power plant modification permit request which details the cost and
performance of various options provides the needed insights on product and
timing for a potential supplier.
One way suppliers take advantage of the availability of information is to
purchase sales leads. Typically the
company spends lots of money on these leads and not on market research.
In one sense, the leads are the market research.
In fact, published studies purport to link the number of sales leads to
the size of future markets.
This approach has a number of undesirable aspects:
1.
The large expenditure for sales leads draws funds away from critical market
research.
2.
Sales leads are not qualified. High
margins and order conversion result from picking and choosing projects.
3.
Since the sales lead is also being viewed by the competitors, there will be
pricing pressure and lower success rates.
4.
The timing of sales leads is often right if you are selling a commodity, but if
you are selling based on your product differentiation, you are too late.
5.
Many companies have distributors and representatives who are being paid to
uncover leads. Sales lead expense
is justified based on evaluating distributor performance rather than on boosting
sales.
If you are selling a commodity, product and price is the basis of success then
the sales lead route is probably still the best option. But, if you sell a
product based on lowest cost of ownership and not initial price, then you should
consider a whole new route using the digital crystal ball.
Detailed Forecasting of Markets, Prospects and Projects
is your digital crystal ball because:
1.
Forecasts can be provided for the precise product at the State and province
level.
2.
Project alerts provide the time to convince the customer to consider total cost
of ownership and to issue bid specifications accordingly.
3.
The large end users, OEMs, and AEs are identified.
Since they purchase more than 50 percent of the flow control and
treatment equipment, the focus on them is critical.
4.
The opportunity to connect with the end user through white papers and webinars
improves the margin and success potential.
5.
The ability to demonstrate lowest cost of ownership is the secret to success in
the global market.
For more information on this program contact Bob McIlvaine 847-784-0012 ext. 112
rmcilvaine@mcilvainecompany.com
Bob McIlvaine
President
847-784-0012 ext. 112
rmcilvaine@mcilvainecompany.com
www.mcilvainecompany.com