Reliable valves for offshore bulk handling

Larox valves are a reliable choice for offshore bulk handling systems in extreme weather conditions and a salty atmosphere.

Offshore bulk discharge and storage tanks are typical applications where Larox valves have made processes run smoothly.

Cement, Bentonite and Barite are common media used in drilling operations.

Cement is used in making concrete for the support of casing, and Bentonite and Barite are used for making drilling mud.

In addition to cooling and lubricating the drill bit, the purpose of mud is to keep the borehole pressure under control.

Usually, a bulk system consists of two separate, but quite similar systems: the cement system, which supplies the cementing unit and the Bentonite/Barite system that supplies the mud unit.

A typical bulk system has four storage tanks, 100m3 each, which are loaded with raw materials via pneumatic conveying from the rig loading station.

During filling, air and dust from storage tanks are evacuated to the dust cyclone and dust collector.

The bulk material in the bottom of the storage tanks is fluidised and pneumatically conveyed to the surge tanks.

Typical flow rate is up to 120 tonnes per hour.

Larox valves have proven their reliability in the toughest conditions, as they are designed for on/off and control applications involving abrasive powders.

Bulk cement is extremely abrasive, causing wear in conventional butterfly valves.

Larox valve benefits include 100 per cent tight shutoff, full bore, no jamming or scaling, simple construction and low maintenance cost.

Several oil rigs in operation or under construction, as well as other offshore installations with drilling facilities have Larox valves installed as bulk discharge and storage tank ventilation valves.

Typical devices are 125 and 150mm valves with pneumatic actuation for on/off and control facilities with local operating possibility, tailor-made to fit customer needs.

The cement and Barite/Bentonite systems are similar, but cement goes finally to the cement unit and Barite/Bentonite to the mud unit.

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