Petrobras is very concerned about the safety of its facilities. In recent years, it has adopted the concept of inventory isolation as a way of improving protection for its assets. This resource consists of using equipment capable of acting on the process in order to bring the system to a safe condition, normally interrupting the product flow. The decision to use the equipment must be made by the human element, based on the conditions of the situation.
To meet this need, Rotork has developed a specific equipment for this type of application, the Skilmatic. The Skilmatic electro-hydraulic actuator is completely self contained, which keeps the hydraulic circuit isolated from the external environment, including the solenoids and the control system. This guarantees greater availability and reliability of the set, reducing, at the same time, the possibility of spurious failure, a critical item in this type of application. Rotork incorporated several suggestions from Petrobras into this device, so that the equipment fully met the company's strict requirements. Skilmatic also has all of Rotork's experience in electric actuators, and offers technological advantages such as double sealing, open protocols certified by international entities such as Profibus and Fieldbus Foundation, in addition to the Pakscan system.
Rotork's success can be seen in the various systems delivered this year to the refineries. About 100 Skilmatic actuators have been delivered or are in the manufacturing phase. In addition to the Reduc, Regap, Revap, Rlam, Recap, Replan and Repar refineries, actuators were also requested for UN-BA and DOW Química.
For the next year, the Skilmatic will undergo an overhaul of its control circuit. The new plate will allow recording of actuator operations, including valve stress curve. These new features will be essential to allow preventive and predictive maintenance of actuators and will be available for Skilmatics already supplied, upon replacement of the electronic board.