![]() Domino Effectsįlashing condensate can damage the component’s plug and seat sealing surfaces. Regardless of its origin, the effect of wet steam remains the same-the erosion of trim components used in critical service applications, hampering productivity. This is often the result of insufficient plant drain arrangements, incorrect bypass operation, improper valve calibration, or inadequate pre-warming processes. Otherwise known as flashing condensate, wet steam occurs when saturated steam and condensate water molecules combine. Most prominent among these is the issue of wet steam. However, at a time when process costs are rising, any factor that increases the rate of deterioration must be identified and addressed. Yet, as hardy as they are designed to be, both wear and tear, and maintenance and replacement works, are built into day-to-day plant operations. As such, resilience is expected as standard. These valves operate in a highly hazardous environment, handling high pressures, temperatures, and erosive risks during daily operation. ![]() Given that power plants can comprise hundreds of these components, flow control is a critical starting point for any plant manager looking to increase efficiency and uptime. Consequently, all plant activity, from steam conditioning to pre-warming processes, is subject to increasing scrutiny, with valves in particular coming under the spotlight. Volatility is also expected in the UK after National Grid announced coal plants that supplemented the country’s power infrastructure last winter are being decommissioned, with imported gas making up potential shortfalls.Ĭontinually rising gas prices have further heightened the impact of inefficient processes and unplanned downtime within the power industry. The European Union also reported similar findings, with all 25 member states that provide updates on gas prices documenting year-on-year non-household rises ranging from 45% to 283% in the second half of 2022. natural gas futures jumped by 48% in a month, hitting $8.007 per million British thermal units. Rising natural gas prices have seriously impacted production across the world over the past 18 months. Proper valve specification and maintenance are vitally important in helping plant management teams to mitigate chronic problems. Valves in production plants are exposed to incredibly hazardous operating conditions each day, which are further magnified by pressurized and erosive wet steam.
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