An international collaboration between Hardide Coatings and Master Flo Valve Inc (MFV) has developed a new solution to protect high temperature, high pressure (HT/HP) subsea choke valves.
The valves are the first of their kind to feature the Hardide-T coating, which can be applied to choke valve stems so they can withstand temperatures up to 400°F and pressures of 20,000 psi.
Canada-headquartered MFV found that alternative hard coatings previously applied to the stem assembly were not rated to sufficiently high temperatures. The challenge was to have a durable coating with a completely smooth finish to form a tight metal to metal seal.
The two companies worked together to engineer a solution and develop a manufacturing process plan.
The coating has been applied to MFV’s P4-15K choke valve, which is rated from -20°F to 400°F and 15,000psi, and the P4-20K choke valve, which is rated to the same temperatures but a greater pressure of 20,000psi.
They are typically installed on subsea production trees and are used for single/multi-phase production or water/chemical/gas injection.