Self-contained instrument improves pipeline safety
Rotork plc
The Electronic Line Break (ELB; photo) combines pipeline pressure monitoring with intelligent valve control. It continuously monitors upstream and downstream pipeline pressure dynamics to provide early detection of pipeline breaks, and initiate automatic valve actuator movement to an emergency position, based on user-defined parameter. Valve actuator control — selectable as fail-close, fail-open or stay-put —is based on rate-of-drop and rate-of-rise, as well as high- and low-pressure inputs. A remote process-shutdown input with the option to override all functions is also available to drive the valve to the fail position. The device includes an array of programmable alarm and alert indications and other configurable features. The ELB can collect detailed operational data to optimize performance and enhance pipeline safety. — Rotork plc, Bath, U.K.