Automation Technology, LLC (ATI) has successfully installed the first of five hydraulically-operated linear actuators for the Integrated Pipeline Project (IPL), co-partnered by the Tarrant Regional Water District and City of Dallas Water Utilities (Texas). The actuator, believed to be the largest in the world for this service, has a 30-inch bore with a 110-inch stroke and operates a Blackhall-manufactured parallel faced metal-seated gate valve on a 108-inch raw water line. The valve and actuator were placed in a concrete reinforced chamber below-ground level that will allow complete access for future maintenance. The completion of project’s first phase is planned for 2018.
The actuator will be used for isolation control on the first phase of the 20-year planned project that will ultimately consist of 150 miles of pipeline, three pump stations and three booster stations. The project will eventually deliver 350 million gallons per day (MGD) of raw water from five Texas lakes to the Dallas- Fort Worth Metroplex.
The ATI linear actuator was selected for this service because of its ability to provide reliable closure of the massive gate valve. The hydraulic double-acting linear actuators and gate valves are expected to operate for the 100 years of the project.