At sea conventional servicing is restricted and as a result valves for marine technology have to be designed for maximum availability. Additionally, they have to cope with rough conditions like vibration, salt water and extreme temperatures.
Whenever a valve in an industrial plant does not operate properly, it can usually be repaired fairly easily. If the valve is installed in a passenger ship, a freighter or a gas tanker, this is not always the case. In this instance, the valves have to be engineered with the aim of 100 percent availability because the options of servicing during operation are very limited. Even in the harbour, regular servicing is restricted due to the short shore times during which such repairs and maintenance must be done.
Absolute reliability under rough conditions
This is why valves for marine technology are developed and manufactured with utmost care and to the highest quality standards. “Festo chose to work with GSR Ventiltechnik, as it has comprehensive experience in this branch of technology and offers a wide range of valves which are used in the shipping environment worldwide. These include start-up valves for diesel engines, bilge water de-oilers, fire extinguishing systems and for on-ship water treatment,” explains Festo pneumatic product manager, Brian Abbott.
Force pilot solenoid valves for fire extinguishing systems
Flammable goods like gaseous fuels are commonly transported by sea freight and all ships operate with their own stock of fuels, which means that the risk of a fire is ever present onboard. Consequently, fire extinguishing systems are an important part of the safety equipment and they have to operate with the same reliability as the ships themselves. With their type 24 valve, GSR has designed a force pilot operated 2/2-way piston solenoid valve which is used in these safety-related systems. It is suitable for a pressure range of 0-40 bar and offers a manual override. It can be equipped with two position indicators, which allow the sensors to be integrated into central surveying, control and safety systems.
Starting the engine with a special solenoid valve
Starting a large diesel engine requires an external impulse which is often generated by compressed air. A solenoid valve switches the starting air from the compressed air bottles into the starting system of the motor, thus initiating the ignition process. Alternatively, piston solenoid valves of the type 2/449 are often used. This 3/2 way pilot operated valve with customer specific connections is designed for a pressure range of 7 to 40 bar.
The 2/449 valve has been designed to prevent contamination of the valve and clogging of the pilot orifice even under the most adverse conditions. This is done through having a large pilot orifice and a filter which is included in the housing. Apart from these functions and options, this special marine technology valve was certified according to the standards of RINA, ABS, Germanischer Lloyd, Det Norske Veritas, BV and Lloyds Register.
Festo is the sole agency supplier of GSR Ventiltechnik valves for the southern African regions. “Like Festo, GSR is a family owned business and was a logical choice of partner for extending our offering of valves to the local market,” says Abbott. “Over the past 35 years, the company’s engineers have developed more than 3000 special valves which can be fitted in many industries and various conditions. Festo holds stock locally of a core range of valves for standard applications. Specialised products such as these marine valves can be ordered on request.”
For more information contact Tracey Swart, Festo, 08600 FESTO, [email protected], www.festo.com
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