With the help of Fluxo, Pacific Valves confirmed to be the leading manufacturer of valves in severe applications for Catalytic Cracking after supplying 60 Wedgeplug valves to the Catalytic Cracking Unit (UFCC) during the shutdown of the Presidente Bernardes Refinery, in Cubatão ( RPBC).
Wedgeplug valves are male type, non-lubricated. The old Wedgeplug installed had their life cycles ended after about 30 years in full operation, giving way to the new ones. The long service life of the valves is a result of their high constructive robustness, associated with a process that allows the self-lapping of the internal components, seat and plug, ensuring total sealing and a zero leakage rate for long periods of application.
Ease of maintenance is a crucial factor for the good acceptance of this valve in the market, since the Wedgeplug does not contain moving parts such as seats, springs, pins, among others. The valve is basically composed of three parts: body, cover and actuator, items that make it an equipment that is easy to repair.
RBPC maintenance technician Osmar Leite, who has extensive experience with Wedgeplug valves, developed a lapping device for the internal components of these valves, increasing the speed and effectiveness of maintenance procedures. A simple and ingenious piece of equipment, with efficiency recognized by Petrobras, which granted it the “INVENTOR” award in 2004.
The technicians forecast that the new batch of valves will reach a 20% useful life longer than the valves to be replaced, thanks to advanced manufacturing technology, the use of new materials, more suitable for the type of application, and the use of a more up-to-date design for current needs.
“The extensive useful life demonstrated by a Wedgeplug valve, even when applied in extremely severe conditions, gives us the confidence that we are acquiring a high quality product, where reliability is a fundamental part for obtaining good results”, explains Osmar Leite. The technician believes that the durability of the valves will exceed their permanence and that of their contemporaries at the refinery: “I believe that these valves will only be replaced again by a new generation of oil tankers here at RPBC”, he adds.