The solvent chemistry, together with RGD (Rapid Gas Decompression), can attack the valve seals and 'O' rings typically located in the valve seat. This can lead to seal life reduction, premature valve leaks and higher costs for both plant operation and maintenance.

A successful solution was achieved by the fitting of DuPont™ Kalrez^® Spectrum 7090 seals. These perfluoroelastomer products offer an excellent combination of chemical compatibility, with both RGD and high temperature resistance for 'O' ring applications, particularly where handling glycol-based solvents. Valve leakages can be dramatically reduced, with a reduction in maintenance procedures resulting from the extension of MTBR (Mean Time Between Repairs).

The DuPont™ Kalrez^® Spectrum 7090 seals are specifically targeted for applications requiring high hardness/higher modulus properties. They have extensive mechanical properties including compression set resistance and seal force retention with good responses to both temperature cycling effects and RGD resistance. They are well suited to combined static and dynamic sealing, especially where high temperatures or extrusion resistance are involved. A continuous working temperature of 325°C (617°F) is possible, with short excursions at an even higher temperature also being acceptable.

As an authorised DuPont™ licensee, Dichtomatik are able to offer advice and full technical support on problematic applications, and call upon a wide range of both standard and purpose engineered sealing products. Where application temperatures are limited to a maximum of 250°C (482°F) then they can also supply DuPont™ Kalrez^® 0090 sealing products which compared with Kalrez^® 7090 offer improved RGD resistance and chemical resistance to water and hydrogen sulphide.

For further information, e-mail: kalrez@dichtomatik.co.uk or view website: www.dichtomatik-kalrez.co.uk   Refer to page 72

New generation air hoists

With 30 years experience in offshore materials handling, the J D Neuhaus company announce a new generation of purpose designed monorail air hoists. The new EH25 hoist in this range has a lift capacity of 25 tonnes and can be supplied with either air or hydraulic control of the lift and travel movements, as well as optional remote electrical or radio controls. The product fulfils all the requirements for safe and effective BOP handling, whether for vessel, offshore or land based operations. With an Ex rating for operation in explosive atmospheres, the hoist is also ideally suited for applications in other hazardous conditions typically as found in the chemical or cement manufacturing industries.
 
Standard features include optimised air flow guidance and reduced noise levels with up to 25% less air consumption due to a new energy saving valve. Adjustable beam width mounting and 3 metre lift is provided, together with an offshore corrosion protection package. Overload adjustment is from 90 to 125%, with a 5:1 hoist safety factor and 3.1 certification on load carrying parts. The new design utilises less components, with lube-free operation and a low maintenance level achieved from the new generation of brake motors. The product also complies with standards API 7K, ABS, ANSI B30, NORSOK and DNV approval programs. It is also subject to the JDN unique parts marking system for component traceability.

The new EH25 air hoist from J D Neuhaus with 25% less air consumption and reduced noise levels.

Optional features that can be provided include overload protection and a load monitoring system. Particularly suited for shipboard applications is a rack and pinion drive for horizontally travel movements, together with an articulated trolley for limited side pulling operations.
 
Hoist manufacture is subject to Quality Management System according to ISO 9001 and Environmental Management System according to ISO 14001 by the TUV Rheinland. A worldwide servicing operation can also be supplied if required.

For further information, e-mail: info@jdneuhaus.co.uk or view website: www.jdneuhaus.co.uk   Refer to next page

Explosion-proof fluorescent light fittings for Zone 2 and 22

COOPER Crouse-Hinds' range of high temperature explosion-proof fluorescent light fittings, are certified for use in Zones 2 and 22 in accordance with the European Directive (ATEX) and the IECEx standards.
 
The nLLK 09 Ex-light fittings are approved for use in ambient temperatures from -25 deg C up to +60 deg C. This means the light fittings are ideally suited to outdoor use in areas with high ambient temperatures, including oil refineries, chemical plants, onshore and offshore installations. The light fittings are also ideal for internal areas where high temperatures are expected over long periods of time.
 
In terms of the highly competitive market for Ex-light fittings for Zone 2, the nLLK 09 is unique in the fact that it utilises COOPER Crouse-Hinds' EVG09 dual-channel electronic ballast for G13 bi-pin fluorescent lamps. This fulfils the relevant "End Of Life" and "Increased Safety" requirements of IEC 60079-7.

(Picture): COOPER Crouse-Hinds' range of high temperature explosion-proof fluorescent light fittings.

The nLLK 09's standard single-sided through-wiring and generously large terminal compartment provide a very cost effective product in terms of installation, servicing and maintenance. A double-sided safety lock with 10, 20 or 24 latch points enables the protective bowl to be hinged on both sides, which means the light fitting can be mounted easily without having to worry about which side is the correct side, therefore minimising installation times.
 
The nLLK 09 series complements COOPER Crouse-Hinds' existing nLLK 08 range of Ex-light fittings. The nLLK 09 is available in standard sizes from 2 x 18W up to 1 x 58W and 2 x 58W versions, with or without through-wiring and with various types of cable entries. Rated voltage range is 220V-254V AC, 50/60Hz and 195V to 250V DC.
 
Gordon Low, Marketing Segment Manager at COOPER Crouse-Hinds UK Ltd comments: "What really sets the nLLK 09 apart from current competing lamps on the market is that it has identical electrical properties to our nLLK 08 series but offers an extended permissible temperature range of up to 60 deg C, whilst also providing the same mechanical impact resistance as a Zone 1/21 enclosure." 

For further information, view website: www.ceag.de or e-mail: Gordon.Low@CooperIndustries.com  Refer to page 64

Well head control panels for West Chirag
Oil Platform use eXLink plugs and sockets

COOPER Crouse-Hinds, a leading manufacturer of explosion-protected electrical equipment, has supplied 240 explosion-protected eXLink connectors (EExd plugs and sockets) to Weatherford Production Optimisation for use on two wellhead control panels for the West Chirag Oil Platform.

The West Chirag platform produces both oil and gas and is located off the coast of Azerbaijan in the Caspian Sea, south east of Baku. The wellhead control panels form part of a comprehensive control and monitoring package supplied by Weatherford Production Optimisation's UK operation in Great Yarmouth.

Weatherford Production Optimisation is part of the Weatherford International Group, which is one of the largest global providers of products and services for drilling, evaluation, completion, production and intervention cycles of oil and natural gas wells.

For West Chirag, Weatherford has supplied the Equipment and Instrumentation to interface to the Plant Control System for the wells, production and hydraulic systems using multiplexed electro-hydraulic control systems. The package supplied includes one Hydraulic Power Unit (HPU) and two wellhead control panels.

Each of the wellhead control panels has the capacity for 24 removable drawer type well control panels and is capable of accommodating either gas lift production, water injection or cutting injection well control modules. Electrical power to the HPU motors is supplied from the platform [400V/50Hz/3 phase]. This supply is dual redundant supplying two separate 400V motors.

The main hydraulic supply to the wellhead control panels is dual redundant. The system is designed to have sufficient hydraulic energy accumulation to enable operation of all the valves in case of loss of hydraulic power. 24V DC electrical power for the solenoids is from ICSS.

All 24V DC-supplied solenoid valves mounted within each drawer module are fitted with a CEAG eXLink explosion-protected [EExd] plug, which is connected to its corresponding socket connector. A maximum of five solenoids are fitted to a well control module and each plug is colour-coded and keyed to ensure that the solenoids are connected to the correct socket connection at the rear of the Well Control Panel.

The eXLink range of connectors enable the connection and disconnection of electrical apparatus in potentially explosive gas (or dust) atmospheres, without the use of tools and without an engineer having to isolate the apparatus from the mains or disconnect the terminals.

For West Chirag, the eXLink connectors provide each wellhead control panel with 'hot swappability' in terms of the solenoid valves that control multiple wells. As Ed Beardshaw, Regional Manager at COOPER Crouse-Hinds UK comments: "For the user, the eXLink plugs and sockets fitted to each solenoid valve enable the rapid disconnection and connection when swapping or installing a new Drawer Module. Cables can therefore be disconnected safely but quickly without the engineer requiring a hot work permit, which saves time and prevents any delays to production."

For further information, view website: www.ceag.de or e-mail: Gordon.Low@CooperIndustries.com  Refer to page 64

New range of robust, corrosion-resistant,
Ex-fluorescent light fittings now available

COOPER Crouse-Hinds, has launched a new range of high grade, corrosion-resistant, explosion-proof fluorescent light fittings, which are certified for use in hazardous gas (Zone 1) and hazardous dust (Zone 21) environments in accordance with both ATEX and IECEx standards.

The new eLLS 08 series of Ex-fluorescent light fittings are protected by a seawater-resistant, stainless steel (316 Ti) housing. The new series complements the company's existing eLLK 92 range of Ex-fluorescent light fittings with polyester-reinforced glass fibre housings.

Gordon Low, Marketing Segment Manager at COOPER Crouse-Hinds UK Ltd comments: "This sophisticated addition to our portfolio of Ex-light fittings combines the latest lighting technology with an extremely robust construction that is ingress protected to IP66. Due to its rugged, stainless steel design and high resistance to aggressive chemicals and seawater, the eLLS 08 is suitable for all hazardous gas and dust environments, including onshore and offshore facilities, chemicals and petrochemicals, refineries and pharmaceuticals, as well as dusty production environments such as bakeries, sugar, wood and metal processing."

The eLLS 08 light fitting is equipped with two-channel electronic ballast (EVG 09) including EOL (End-Of-Life) safety circuit, which enables the light to be monitored at the end of its life and switched off safely.

Economical installation & maintenance
The eLLS 08 series is also easy and economical to install. The standard, single-sided through-wire design, combined with a generously large terminal box, offers a very cost effective installation. A double-sided lock with 10 or 20 latch points enables the protective bowl to be hinged on either side, allowing the installer to mount the fitting without having to pay attention to which side is the correct one, as well as simplifying servicing and maintenance.

In addition to the standard eLLS 08 series light fitting, an emergency lighting version is also available. The eLLS 08 NIB has a self-contained battery unit and intelligent microelectronics, which provide reliable safety and reduced maintenance costs over the life of the light fitting.

On a weekly basis, the eLLS 08 NIB automatically carries out a function test that lasts for 5 minutes, even during mains operation. The light fitting also conducts a partial duty-cycle test on a quarterly basis, providing additional safety and significantly reducing the number of manual tests required. The charging and discharging functions of the light fitting are continuously monitored by the microprocessor and are indicated via an LED display. Replacing the battery, even in hazardous areas, is also easy to do. For further information, view website: www.ceag.de or e-mail: Gordon.Low@CooperIndustries.com  Refer to page 64