The new Test Lab has a water rig designed to BSEN60534-2-3, BSEN1267 and ASME VIII Div. 1 to perform liquid flow tests on discharge valves. A closed system incorporating a storage vessel, control valve and flow meter enables valves to be tested with a throughput of up to 2500 l/min. For example, a primary closure valve (footvalve) may be tested at various working pressures to produce flow rate and pressure drop data.
A gas rig designed to BSEN4126 and ASME VIII Div.1 is installed to produce flow performance data on the wide range of Fort Vale relief devices from the 1” Minnow IBC valve to the 2½” Super Maxi relief valve. Two tank containers (of course!) have been installed to store 55,000 litres of compressed air at 34.5 Bar pressure. The air is filtered and has the moisture removed to ensure the most accurate and reliable test data. It then passes through control valves and an orifice flow meter to the vessel mounted with the test relief valve. Test data is then recorded from the safety of a remote console.
In the same facility are two Simulation Rigs which test the ability of the bottom discharge valve shear groove to sever cleanly, leaving the primary closure poppet liquid-tight to satisfy EN14433 criteria; one rig simulates the effects of a tank container being lowered onto an unstable surface; the second rig simulates the effect of side impact on the outlet pipework of the bottom discharge valve.
Fort Vale was the first component manufacturer to have its “Highlift” style footvalve accredited to EN14433:2006 – Tank Equipment for the Transportation of Liquid Chemicals – Footvalves back in 2008. In addition to the simple footvalve, the “Univalve” combined footvalve/butterfly discharge valve is also approved to the EN Norm. The valve was subject to extensive cycle-testing as well as stringent pressure and leak-tightness tests to 4 times the MAWP. Furthermore, the valve has been subjected to impact tests for shear-groove breakage as well as leak testing post-breakage. The improved rigidity of the valve flanges ensures that there is no deformation during bolting which in turn improves the efficiency of the loading on the gasket. This being the case, the valve far surpasses the standard post-shear-failure leak test guidelines.
Plans are in place to type test the “Cleanflow” valve to EN14433:2006. The company is credited with the original design and patent of the “Cleanflow” discharge valve phenomenon where the valve closure poppet lifts away from the discharge aperture, allowing unimpeded product flow, increased flow rates and reduced discharge time. The advantages of this innovation have had a huge impact upon the transportable tank industry and this design has now become commonplace.
Product safety, performance and reliability is paramount and is reflected in every step of the company’s design and production process. In addition to design calculations, Fort Vale use Finite Element Analysis to simulate each variant of stress that the component will be exposed to. The company’s Rapid Prototyping and Investment Casting facility enable a fully operational prototype to be produced within a week.
“We believe that the scope of our services surpasses anything currently offered by any other equipment supplier. Because we control the vast majority of our manufacturing processes in-house from castings to finishing and testing, we can offer clients material traceability on components where necessary. Our production facility can cater for bulk orders whilst retaining the flexibility to offer bespoke valve solutions. Fort Vale customers can be assured that they have invested in equipment that is proven, built to last and supported by a worldwide after-sales network.”