Metso and Linde cemented their collaboration with the new BWX cryogenic metal-seated butterfly valve. The new valve was approved in December 2014, and six months later in March 2015, the first order was received. BWX will be used in Linde’s greenfield project for an air separation unit (ASU) in Eisenhüttenstadt, Germany. Once on stream, the unit’s main purpose will be to serve oxygen and nitrogen to the local ArcelorMittal steel manufacturing facility.
Metso developed the new BWX valve in close collaboration with both Linde’s Engineering and Gases divisions as a solution that could be applied to their new challenging cryogenic and oxygen services with high tightness requirements. The valve features a unique metal-seated butterfly design with high Cv values. BWX incorporates full dry assembly and ‘free of oil’ production, which are essential for demanding applications that require a high level of tightness. Most importantly, BWX is designed to meet the new oxygen service requirements, an area of growing concern that has not been addressed until now.
After completion of the intense research and development project by Metso’s team in Horgau, Germany, and Linde’s engineers approved the product at the end of 2014. Close collaboration from both companies ensured 100% compliance of the end product with all specified requirements.