Midland-ACS was chosen to design, engineer, manufacture and commission actuated valves for the BTC pipeline’s Ceyhan Marine Terminal in addition to four of its pumping stations. Running over 1700km from the Mediterranean Ceyhan terminal through three countries to the Caspian Sea the new BTC (Baku-Tibilisi-Ceyhan) crude oil pipeline presented some new technical challenges for electrohydraulic actuator company Midland-ACS. The -29 to +40C operating temperature range along the BTC pipeline required mechanical construction predominantly of 316 stainless steel and full Zone 1 (Eexd) compliancy. In order for the actuators to withstand the harsh and extreme conditions they would be subject to and also to ensure longevity, specialist sealing technology and in-house manufactured 316 stainless steel hydraulic cylinders, pipework and pilot valves were used. The actuator assembly also includes a hydraulic reserve tank used for pressure, flow control and re-injection, providing accurate positional, modulating, and fail-safe control of the larger main valve. Weather protection is provided for the electrical connections by using Eexd rated cables, glands and termination.
