A precision globe valve and positioner combination is delivering excellent control on an engine test rig at BP Castrol's Technology Centre in Berkshire.
Richard Butcher, senior engineer at the centre, explains that the rig was built to help development of premium specification engine oil for a German high performance, award-winning, turbocharged engine.
He says that stable, incremental controls were essential on the engine coolant system, but that its original process valves were not up to the job – resulting in spurious data.
Burkert specified an in-line 2712 stainless steel globe valve, with the company's new generation integrated 8630 Top Control pneumatic positioner.
"What we like about the 2712 is its size, flexibility and precision," says Butcher. "The flexibility enables us to operate the valve either remotely, from the test bed computer, or just employ local control. It is also operates across a wide range of temperatures, and enables us to configure the relationship between demand temperature and valve position."
