The use of additive manufacturing has the potential to revolutionise in-field control valve maintenance, potentially saving process and industrial plants millions of euros a year in maintenance, repair, and operation (MRO) costs.
Text by IMI Critical Engineering
The impact of high-velocity media within a valve trim is one of the leading causes of cavitation, erosion, and vibration; all of which can combine to cause poor process control, premature failure, and unplanned downtime for critical flow control applications.
Full valve replacements typically incur huge opex and capex commitments given the significant logistical requirements. However, a new high-performance valve trim replacement service which combines additive and traditional manufacturing methods is set to radically disrupt the valve MRO market.
Retrofit3D
Retrofit3D, pioneered by IMI Critical Engineering, focuses on the engineering of bespoke drop-in replacement internal components. These include disk stacks and valve trims (inclusive of seat and plugs), ensuring the body of the valve can remain in situ throughout the process.
The use of additive manufacturing technology represents a game-changing shift in valve replacement services, as it enables the design and production of parts which would not be possible using only traditional manufacturing processes. Each replacement part can be custom-made to
the specific process conditions of the valve in question, in a fraction of the time, weight and cost.
Unlike like-for-like legacy component replacements, Retrofit3D components integrate IMI Critical Engineering’s DRAG® technology, which divides the flow into a series of right-angled smaller passages. The multi-stage, multi-path DRAG® technology directs the medium through a tortuous path to incrementally reduce the differential pressure and increase control, preventing the root cause of the original problem from reoccurring.
The service is now capable of producing drop-in replacement trims for valves up to 20” in diameter and can be used in a broad range of critical pipeline applications including bypass valves and large anti-surge valves. Retrofit3D produces replacement trims for valves manufactured by IMI Critical Engineering, as well as those from other valve manufacturers.
Drop-in replacement service
Bertrand Maillon, Retrofit3D Business Leader at IMI Critical Engineering, comments: “Today’s energy landscape places a great emphasis on reliability, maintenance, and performance. However, full valve replacements can incur significant time and cost for operators, due to the extensive engineering, scheduling, and intervention activity required. Moreover, even a like-for-like replacement of core internal components is no guarantee of long-term success, especially if the maximum flow velocity isn’t initially managed properly within the valve or the original valve trim is no longer suitable for the current process requirements.
“Through the launch of Retrofit3D, we can now offer a custom-made drop-in replacement service for most control valves with a trim diameter of up to 20”. The integration of DRAG® technology will provide better flow control across the valve opening to tackle noise, cavitation and erosion issues. Additionally, the use of additive and traditional manufacturing technologies ensures bespoke replacement parts can be designed, produced, shipped and installed in a fraction of the time it would take to undergo a full valve replacement.”
Mr Maillon concludes: “Since launching the service, we have retrofitted more than 200 valves for customers across the power and oil and gas sectors; and we are incredibly excited at the growth potential for additive manufacturing-led flow control solutions.”
About this Featured Story
This Featured Story is an article from our Valve World Magazine, March 2023 issue. To read other featured stories and many more articles, subscribe to our print magazine. Available in both print and digital formats. DIGITAL MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE NOW FREE.
“Every week we share a new Featured Story with our Valve World community. Join us and let’s share your Featured Story on Valve World online and in print.”
