Background 
 

In September 2023, a prominent Texas sustainable energy company acquired a decommissioned ethanol plant and storage tank farm that had been inactive since 2018. Since the plant's existing Thermal shut-off valve, an Essex brand, was obsolete, the plant and tank farm required a comprehensive overhaul of its safety valve equipment to meet current industry standards.

Strahman's customer contact for the energy company was familiar with our Thermal Shut-Off Valve products from previous ethanol refinery upgrades. They recommended that the plant utilize the BI-TORQ brand of Fusible Link Shut-off Valves, a clear testament to the product's reliability and reputation in the ethanol industry.

 

Challenge

The ethanol plant's new owner was resolute about having the plant operational within two months. To gain start-up approval, the plant needed to install a safety system for the storage tank farm that would prevent flammable media from exiting the tank in the case of a localized fire. The ethanol plant's maintenance team would also need proper installation, operation, and routine equipment maintenance training for the system.

Furthermore, the plant required a Factory Mutual (FM) Approved safety shut-off product to replace the now-defunct Essex brand of FM Approved valves. To attain FM safety shut-off approval, a complete valve assembly must endure a series of rigorous functional tests to ensure that it will effectively function in the event of a local fire. The BI-TORQ FM-Approved safety shut-off valves have FM-Approval either for the entire valve assembly or for the topworks only, which is critical for plants to meet FM insurance coverage requirements.

 

Solution 

The Bi-TORQ inside sales team worked with the customer's engineers to specify eleven actuated butterfly valve assemblies, varying in size from 3" to 8" flange, for the storage tank farm's safety shut-off system. Based on the valve torque, BI-TORQ technical experts determined the actuator spring size required to provide the force needed to close the valve and prevent the flow of flammable fluid out of the storage tank.

Ultimately, the energy company purchased the FM Approved BI-TORQ Fusible Link Thermal Shutoff actuators based on the product's FM Approval designation and proven track record in the industry. Strahman received the purchase order on September 1, 2023, and promptly assembled and shipped the product directly to the customer on October 4, 2023. The installation included eleven customer-supplied butterfly valves connected to FM Approved BI-TORQ HT and BT series actuators with fusible links. A Strahman technician was on-site on October 16, 2023, to oversee a smooth and efficient installation and provide personnel training to the plant's new maintenance team, equipping them with the necessary skills to effectively maintain the safety shutoff valves.

 

Results

Strahman's technical offering and accelerated product lead time were pivotal in meeting the customer's project schedule and ensuring their confidence in our capabilities. After learning how to operate the new units, the plant's maintenance team expressed confidence in the BI-TORQ fusible link assembly's ability to close the valve in an emergency. They trust the BI-TORQ product's superiority for critical safety applications.

 

BI-TORQ Valve Automation, dedicated to providing only the highest quality, dependable shut-off valves for critical applications. We have the equipment, expertise, and experience necessary to ensure that your system operates with the utmost safety and efficiency.

Let us help you find the right solution! Contact us today and we’ll answer your questions or Request A Quote and we'll respond within one to two business days!