Skilmatic's intelligent valve actuator receives first orders as range is increased

Rotork Skilmatic SI valve actuator has been boosted by the receipt of first orders and the introduction of a larger model.

The recently launched Rotork Skilmatic SI valve actuator - combining Rotork's innovative IQ actuator intelligence and 'non-intrusive' infra-red technologies with the Skilmatic benefits of electric modulating and fail-safe control - has been boosted by the receipt of first orders and the introduction of a larger model.

The most significant order is for fifty-nine fail-safe SI actuators which will be installed for ballast control on the GulfTerra Power Hub, an oil industry semi-submersible production platform engineered by Atlantic Offshore in Houston. The Skilmatic actuators are part of a package also including Rotork IQ and IQT electric actuators ordered by process and flow control solutions provider Puffer-Sweiven from Rotork's Houston factory.

The Skilmatic SI units were selected as the ideal solution to meet American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) standards for ballast control, providing electrically operated actuation of 8 inch butterfly valves with spring-return automatic fail-safe closing on loss of power or control signal. Temporary submersible watertight protection to IP68 (NEMA 6) was also required and the actuators were treated with a special marine paint finish. The SI design offered a unique solution, also incorporating the Rotork double-sealed electrical enclosure, integral local controls and manual gearbox override operation.

Meanwhile, a new SI-2 actuator has been introduced, increasing the maximum thrust for linear valve operation to 70kN (16,000lbf) and the maximum torque for quarter-turn valve operation to 7400Nm (65,500 in lbs). All SI actuators can be specified to operate from three phase, single phase or 24 Vdc power supplies, providing the simplicity and flexibility of electrical operation, combined with the precision of hydraulic operation for modulating or Emergency Shut Down (ESD) fail-safe applications. An integral easy to read illuminated LCD display provides valve position, control and alarm icons as well as giving access to comprehensive diagnostic information and help screens. SI actuators also provide continuous valve position and internal hydraulic pressure monitoring, fault alarms, partial stroking and selectable 4-20mA analogue inputs and outputs.