Rotork's actuators can stand the heat
15 Jan 2000
Rotork Actuation is currently supplying 41 of its latest IQ range of intelligent electric actuators for the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas project (NLNG) at the Bonny Island jetty terminal in Nigeria. All the actuators are being fitted with K-Mass fire protection, a customised intumescent coating that keeps the actuator working during oil fires.
The fireproofed actuators will operate KTM ball valves on the loading jetty for four LNG tankers that will transport gas, currently flared off, to overseas customers. The liquefaction project will have an ultimate production capacity of 5.8million tpa.
According to Rotork, K-Mass coatings offer several advantages over traditional fireproofing, particularly by adding only marginally to the actuator's overall dimensions. The 1/2in epoxy-type coating, bonded to the actuator housing, swells when exposed to fire to form an insulating char under a glazed surface. The surface of the coating reaches flame temperature and the glaze reflects heat back into the fire, while the chemical reaction to the intumescent sub-surface material cools the metal beneath.
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