IMI has launched its first control valve for urea plants, which is set to be installed at a major fertiliser plant in the MEA region f later this year.
The newly designed urea valve draws on IMI’s extensive expertise in designing, installing and maintaining valves in power plants and oil and gas refineries, as well as extensive engagement with the industry.
The valve is a product of IMI’s Growth Hub innovation engine, which aims to accelerate the development of new products in collaboration with customers.
The fertiliser industry faces wide ranging challenges such as gland leakage, corrosion and erosion of valve internals, as well granulation at lower fluid temperatures.
Additionally, the flashing liquid is a particular challenge for the design of urea valves because it impinges on the body or trim parts at higher velocities due to changes in fluid phases.
IMI’s solution is designed to overcome these challenges. It features an angle over-the-plug configuration with its straight outlet for the flashing fluid, while a rapid increase of the flow diameter downstream where the fluid expands avoids flashing damage downstream of the valve.
Jackie Hu, CEO, automation at IMI, said: “The development of our first urea valve clearly demonstrates the value of the Growth Hub and of engaging with customers at the earliest stages of the development process.
“Urea valves pose significant engineering challenges because of their exposure to a highly corrosive substance, which our team has worked hard to overcome. The sector has long grappled with inadequate and obsolete valves. The solution we have proposed has been developed collaboratively with the sector to address the key problems its engineers face.”
IMI introduces its first valve for urea applications
