Abstract: A flowline protection system includes a first and second isolation valve connectable to a fully rated pipeline to prevent the flow of fluid through the fully rated pipeline when either of the isolation valves are in a closed position, interrupting the flow of fluids to a downstream underrated piping system to reduce the risk of overpressure or quantity of hydrocarbon released into the environment in the event of a line break. First and second hydraulic control assemblies each include high and low pressure safety pilot valves. Both the isolation valves return to the closed position if either high pressure safety pilot valve senses an operating pressure greater than a high pressure setting or if either low pressure safety pilot valve senses the operating pressure is less than a low pressure setting. The system is self-contained and free of a connection to any component other than the fully rated pipeline.

Abstract: A flowline protection system includes a first and second isolation valve connectable to a fully rated pipeline to prevent the flow of fluid through the fully rated pipeline when either of the isolation valves are in a closed position, interrupting the flow of fluids to a downstream underrated piping system to reduce the risk of overpressure or quantity of hydrocarbon released into the environment in the event of a line break. First and second hydraulic control assemblies each include high and low pressure safety pilot valves. Both the isolation valves return to the closed position if either high pressure safety pilot valve senses an operating pressure greater than a high pressure setting or if either low pressure safety pilot valve senses the operating pressure is less than a low pressure setting. The system is self-contained and free of a connection to any component other than the fully rated pipeline.

Abstract: A method for diagnostics of a high integrity protection system (HIPS) for protection of a pipeline downstream of a wellhead includes: monitoring for initiation of an automatic trip or manual safety shutdown or full shut-off test; determining the process safety time (PST) that elapses between the time at which the upstream pressure reached the trip setpoint and the time at which the upstream pressure reaches the maximum allowable piping pressure (MAPP) of the downstream pipeline; and verifying that the safety critical isolation valves stroked to the fully closed position within ½ PST and that the downstream pressure did not exceed the MAPP. If the verification is successful, no action is required, whereas if the verification shows that either of those parameters are not met, then the HIPS signals an alarm to operators, and in the case of a manual safety shutdown or full shut-off test, resets the pressure trip setpoint to a lower level.

Abstract: A local logic solver operates with a local smart valve controller to control and test a local field-mounted emergency isolation valve device to which provide a local indication of trouble on the device, which is mounted in the field away from the facility's central control panel for the process. Accordingly, the operation of the overall system is simplified by eliminating the need for an external computer to diagnose any problems. A local control panel includes an indicator light substantially adjacent to or in close proximity to the device being monitored to alert personnel of detected faults. Detected faults are time-stamped locally to provide documentation and tracking of elapsed time, starting when the degraded state of the device was detected and first signaled as a problem.

Abstract: A digital valve positioner is controlled to automatically characterize a valve to provide a linear relationship between the valve control signal and the amount of flow.

Abstract: An electrical terminal block has a heat-meltable fusible link establishing a closed electrical circuit between a conductor ans an actuator responsive to a control signal transmitted by conductor for controlling the state of an emergency process control device, such as a shut-off valve. The heat-meltable fusible link melts in response to heat exceeding a predetermined temperature to establish an open electrical circuit between the electrical conductor and the actuator thereby causing the actuator to move the emergency process control device to a safe position or state.