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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Lockhopper valve testing and development program

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6477820

In 1976, when the SOA Lockhopper Valve Testing and Development Project was initiated, the most severe process condition for a lockhopper valve was a differential pressure of 500 psi at an operating temperature of 600/sup 0/F. In order to maintain acceptable performance at this condition, valves had to be rebuilt approximately every 500 cycles. In the METC stirred, fixed-bed gasifier, lockhopper (feed) valves have accumulated 4500 cycles at maximum pressures of 165 psig with estimated temperatures of 450/sup 0/F. Cyclone dust removal lockhopper valves have operated successfully for over 4500 cycles with 500/sup 0/ to 700/sup 0/F solids. SOA test valves have performed well in simulated lockhopper service for 16,000 cycles at pressures to 1000 psig and valve body temperatures to 600/sup 0/F. This represents a significant improvement since the start of the project. It is believed that at this time valves can be purchased with a potential service life of 15,000 cycles at 1000 psig and 450/sup 0/F or 200 psig and 1000/sup 0/F. In order to accomplish the testing necessary to develop valves for these service conditions, METC has constructed facilities that can simulate lockhopper service at pressures up to 2000 psig with up to 600/sup 0/F simulated feed materials (limestone) or 2000/sup 0/F simulated ash materials (aluminum oxide or silicon carbide). To date, METC facilities have been used to perform 63 test runs on 36 test valves. Information on test results, new valve designs, materials testing, and pilot-plant experience is being distributed through technical papers, project publications, presentations at Valve Manufacturers Association meetings, and through the sponsorship of conferences.

Research Organization:
Department of Energy, Morgantown, WV (USA). Morgantown Energy Technology Center
OSTI ID:
6477820
Report Number(s):
DOE/METC/SP-193; ON: DE83010521
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English