Maintenance of Instrument Control Valves

Instrumentation, PLC, DCS, Control systems, Electric motors, VFDs, Cabling, etc.
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novice123
Posts: 95
Joined: 24 Jul 2010, 18:32
Area of interest: Petroleum Engineering

Maintenance of Instrument Control Valves

Post by novice123 »

At our site, we have noticed gland leaks from instrument control valves during startup of plants, especially during winters.
Same unit when started up during summer times did not come up with any gland leaks on any of the instrument control valves.
This was only noticed when we were studying as a team the reason of such gland leaks.
What are the contributing factors associated with winters resulting in gland leaks?
Is there something which is required to be taken care of (to avoid gland leaks) as we maintain these instrument control valves?
irish
Posts: 66
Joined: 27 Nov 2010, 09:04
Area of interest: Mechanical Engineering

Re: Maintenance of Instrument Control Valves

Post by irish »

Temperature difference is a considerable factor when maintaining the gland leaks and tightening them.
Plant getting started-up during winters are exposed to high temperatures should be taking care of possible expansion which is required to considered.
We experience leaks however not to a noticeable extent from glands if that is the case at your facility. Share few more details.
The practices we have implemented are list of critical valves which are checked for their gland tightening, servicing, and replacement.
Tightening practices are implemented every 5 years, servicing for glands as and when sent for refurbishment and possible replacement with engineers approval once reported with issues.
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