AS-Schneider - Safe even at high pressure

Pressures of several hundred bar, temperatures up to 600 degrees Celsius: industrial valves, such as those used in power stations, the oil and gas industry or in chemical process systems, work under the most arduous conditions. In such cases, safety is the most important aspect. Not only the enormous pressure, but also the often toxic or aggressive process media can quickly become a hazard for people and the environment. Valves must therefore be perfectly matched to the particular application and comply with strict requirements. Industrial valve specialist AS-Schneider offers numerous solutions for safe and reliable system operation.

AS-Schneider’s products are used successfully throughout the world. The family-owned company, with its headquarters in Nordheim near Heilbronn, specializes in instrumentation valves and manifolds. Measuring instruments are an important part of every system. They measure various parameters such as pressure, differential pressure and filling level. For this purpose, a measuring instrument or measuring transducer is connected to the system by means of a separate impulse line.

The measuring instrument is connected by means of a valve manifold, which the system operator can use to shut off and drain the line or calibrate the measuring instrument. AS-Schneider offers a wide range of valve manifolds for different applications which meet the highest demands for safety and environmental protection. Depending on design, manifolds include one or two shut-off valves, drain valves and a balancing valve which enables the measuring instrument to be
calibrated. They can either be fitted in the impulse line or directly to the instrument by means of a flange.

The right material makes the difference
In order to ensure correct operation for every process medium and all pressure and temperature ranges, AS-Schneider offers valve manifolds in many different materials. The housing can be made of carbon steel, stainless steel, duplex, nickel-based alloys or titanium for example. Valve seals are optionally made of PTFE or graphite, the plastic being better suited for use with aggressive chemicals thanks to its high chemical resistance. Depending on design, valve manifolds can withstand a pressure of up to 420 bar and temperatures of up to 550 degrees Celsius. With different thread sizes and screw variants, they are suitable for systems of all kinds.

For volatile emissions and applications in which the highest sealing class is required, AS-Schneider also offers designs which are certified to TA-Luft (Technical Instruction on Air Quality Control) or ISO 15848. With these units, a bellows on the valve stem ensures that the process medium cannot escape from the valve manifold. This is necessary, for example, in chemical systems which process toxic substances. If required, the valves are also available with FireSafe approval. This type test ensures that the valve manifolds provide safe and reliable isolation even in the event of fire. A special antistatic design protects against explosions – an important prerequisite with gas pipes, for example, where a single spark could have catastrophic results.

Innovative solution for a clean environment
Crude oil, gas and chemicals are not harmless for human beings or the environment. This is why strict requirements apply to process systems. Gases and liquids must not be allowed to escape under any circumstances – either in continuous operation or during maintenance. Here too, particular attention must be paid to the measuring equipment.
If the operator ever has to remove the instrument – for maintenance or repair, for example – some of the process medium always remains in the section of pipe between the shut-off valve and the instrument. This residue has to be properly collected and disposed of in order to meet the statutory requirements.

AS-Schneider has therefore developed a flush ring for a globally leading chemical concern and user of numerous process systems. This is fitted between the needle valve and the measuring instrument using a flange connection. Two flushing connectors are arranged externally. If the ring has only one connector, this can be used to drain the hollow space between the primary isolation and the measuring instrument in a controlled manner – for example by attaching a hose and using a suitable catchment container. The second connector enables the ring to be filled and flushed, for example with compressed air or a cleaning liquid – depending on the requirements imposed on the system user by the medium concerned.

Tamperproof
Valves also play an important part when it comes to safety. Unauthorized access or accidental operation can quickly have disastrous consequences. However, both these scenarios are easily prevented. With AS-Schneider anti-tamper valve heads, system operators can reliably protect their valves against inadvertent operation. Various versions are available. The standard design of the valve head unit is equipped with a bore and matching T-bar key. The valve can only be operated using this special key. Valves boasting the AT-key lock design are operated using the built-in T-bar key which can be retracted a little way out of the valve head unit. With both models, the operator can fit a padlock in order to prevent the T-bar key being turned. The valves can be locked in any position – closed, partially open or fully open.
AS-Schneider equips its valves which are operated by a stainless steel handwheel with a locking plate. This is a perforated metal plate to which the handwheel can be fixed in any position by means of a padlock. In this design, only minimal movement of the handwheel is possible. It is particularly effective at preventing the unauthorized closure of valves.

Flexible manufacturing for individual customer requirements
With its industrial valves which are optimally matched to the particular application, AS-Schneider helps its customers achieve the highest possible safety for people and the environment. Special solutions, exactly to user requirements, are one of the Nordheim-based company’s major strengths. These can take many different forms – depending on the type of system in which the valves are used. Thanks to its flexible manufacturing facility, AS-Schneider can deal with all enquiries quickly and reliably. And such adaptability is well received by the customers: ultimately, all valves are supplied exactly to their specifications and within the shortest possible time.

About AS-Schneider
The family-run company, AS-Schneider, was founded in 1875 and with over 350 employees, is one of the leading manufacturers of Instrumentation Valves and Manifolds worldwide. In the market segment for Large-Bore Diesel Engine Valves such as those used in marine propulsion and the generation of electricity, AS-Schneider is even the world market leader. With our own subsidiaries in Romania, Singapore, Dubai (UAE) and Houston (USA) and professional partners in more than 20 countries worldwide, we are located everywhere our customers need us.

Armaturenfabrik Franz Schneider GmbH & Co. KG
Bahnhofplatz 12
74226 Nordheim, Germany
07133/101-0
contact@as-schneider.com

This release was published on openPR.