A Blow To Poor Boiler Performance

A critical part of maintaining optimum steam boiler performance is blowdown but, unless it is managed efficiently, blowdown can also be a major contributor to loss of valuable heat energy and chemically treated boilerwater.

The new MPA 46 from Flowserve Gestra is a straight-through rapid action intermittent blowdown valve that incorporates a number of design features to help reduce energy loss as well as offering improved reliability and ease of maintenance.

To mimimise internal wear the valve is fitted with a radial stage nozzle downstream of the valve seat together with an improved arrangement of valve seals on the low pressure side. Its design also ensures that it remains insensitive to pressure impacts and waterhammer, helping to prolong service life.

The MPA 46 is operated by means of a direct acting integral diaphragm compressed air or pressurized water actuator. The configuration avoids the need for complex linkages to ensure precise control, faster response times and greater reliability. The valve features a large cross-sectional area of the orifice that creates a suction effect when the valve is opened, thus providing a short-term high water flow that aids the rapid and effective discharge of harmful sludge and sediment, but with a minimal loss of heat energy. This enables automatic or pre-programmed blowdown sequences to be optimized for installations that are required to operate without constant supervision in accordance with TRD 604. The valve is also fully ASME compliant.

The MPA 46 is pressure rated to EN–PN 40 and available for flanged, butt weld and socket weld installation. Based around many tried and tested features born of Gestra’s proven expertise in valve and boiler control technology, the product represents a significant addition to the company’s ever expanding range of dedicated boiler control equipment.

Bob Bennett
Flowserve Gestra
Burrell Road
Haywards Heath 
West Sussex
RH16 1TL

Tel: +44 (0)1444 314400 
Fax: +44 (0)1444 314401 
E-mail: gestraukinfo@flowserve.com
Website: www.flowserve.com