Actuators and Controllers

Presenter’s Name
Date
 Objectives

• Explain how pneumatic and hydraulic actuators function

• Explain how liquid level controllers and back pressure
valves function
• Explain the function of an expansion pot
• Describe the difference between linear and rotary
actuators
• Describe how a pneumatic ESD system functions
• Identify types of controllers

© 2007 Weatherford. All rights reserved.

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 Actuators/Controllers

Actuators
• Actuators exert a small
amount of force
• The energy is transferred
• Pressure = Force

Area

© 2007 Weatherford. All rights reserved.

3
 Actuators/Controllers

ESD valves (linear)

• Uses nitrogen pressure
• Spring tension on the
plate
• When valve is fully open
• The gate orifice will line up
with the pipe orifice
• Fail closed

© 2007 Weatherford. All rights reserved.

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 Actuators/Controllers

Hydraulic valves (Rotary)

• Use liquid hydraulics
• Liquid is non-compressible
• Fail open or closed

© 2007 Weatherford. All rights reserved.

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 Actuators/Controllers

Back pressure valves (linear)

• Controls the gas going out of the test vessel
• Sensitivity can be set for a needed pressure
• Fail open

© 2007 Weatherford. All rights reserved.

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 Actuators/Controllers

Liquid dump valves (linear)

• Controls the out going
liquid
• Throttle or snap operation
from the controller box
• Fail close

© 2007 Weatherford. All rights reserved.

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 Actuators/Controllers

Pneumatic actuators: Hydraulic actuators:

• Back pressure valves • Chokes (bladder chokes,

bag chokes)
• Liquid control valves
• Butterfly and ball valve
• Safety valves (ESD) actuators
• Safety valves (ESD)

© 2007 Weatherford. All rights reserved.

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 Actuators/Controllers

Controllers
• Permanent equipment
• Actuators can be controlled by sensors
• Well monitoring from a central location, Gas plan
• Plant operators can effect a shut down at a location if a
problem occurs

© 2007 Weatherford. All rights reserved.

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 Actuators/Controllers

Temporary installation
Sensor parameters can be set for:
• High/low pressure
• High/ low liquid
• High/low temperature
• Sour gas release

© 2007 Weatherford. All rights reserved.

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 Actuators/Controllers

Displacers
• Displacers, or floats sit in
the fluid
• Displacers are set for a
buoyancy point
• When the set point is
reached

© 2007 Weatherford. All rights reserved.

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 Actuators/Controllers

Changes in vessel pressure

• Causes the bourdon tube
to straighten or relax
• Causes the BP valve to
open, or close
• Expansion pots are
needed

© 2007 Weatherford. All rights reserved.

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 Actuators/Controllers

Back pressure controllers:

• Bourdon tube control box
• Sensing lines
• Expansion pot

© 2007 Weatherford. All rights reserved.

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 Actuators/Controllers

Hydraulic controllers/Controller
devices

• Pressure is pumped into an

upper chamber
• Pressure is pumped into a
lower chamber

© 2007 Weatherford. All rights reserved.

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