The supply of rapid response stainless steel Morin actuators to European PTA manufacturer DuPontSA, successfully overcame corrosion problems and ensured absolute safety in a highly flammable process. DuPontSA's world class production facility in Wilton, UK manufactures purified terephthalic acid (PTA) which is widely used by manufacturers in products including polyester based performance fabrics, photographic film and bottles.
Tyco Flow Control was required to deliver a cost effective control solution that could survive the effects of corrosive vapours that had previously attacked carbon steel components, and that could be accommodated in the limited space available.
PTA is produced in powder form by oxidising paraxylene - a highly flammable process in which all equipment must meet category 1 fire protection regulations. Tyco's Morin actuators control a series of critical-duty 8" block valves on pipelines feeding oxygen, paraxylene and acetic acid to two PTA reactors. They also control the reactor discharge lines and a nitrogen fire blanket line.
In the event of fire, the actuators would immediately trip the valves on all lines to and from the reactor to isolate the fire, open the nitrogen line, and blanket the reactor in nitrogen.
