ESD System Development

The development of ESD systems has forged ahead

rapidly over the last decade. This has come about
partly as a desire by operating companies to ensure
safe operation of their investments, partly by
insistence of Insurance companies and in some
cases as a result of legislation changes.
Reliability
Modern systems usually consist of duplicate or even
triplicate processors to ensure reliability and
availability. However, operating experience has
shown that the final shutdown device, usually a
valve and actuator, is often not subjected to testing
at all. This is normally due to the problems involved
in engineering a test mechanism and procedure
which not only ensures that the valve will shut in the
event of a genuine ESD, but will not incur any
additional risks by implementation of the test.
Typical risks associated with testing of ESD valves
Extended Shutdowns
With periods between plant shutdowns being extended in some cases to over three years, ESD
valves may remain in the open position, without movement, for lengthy periods. Experience has
shown that after extended periods without movement, there is a tendency for the valve to stick in
the open position, resulting in the ESD system failing to operate in the event of a genuine ESD,
despite all other tests on the system being completed satisfactorily.

The Drallim Combined Panel

The Drallim combined local Valve Control and Testing Panel enables the valve, either single or
double acting, to be safely and easily moved away from its normal open position and travel to
approx. 15- 20% stroke and then return to its normal position. At no time during this test procedure
is there any danger of the valve moving fully closed.

SY687
LIMITED MOVEMENT
TESTING

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Issue 01

The heart of the control panel is a proven PIV (Pneumatic Interlok Valve) combined with a certified
enclosure, housing electrical contact blocks and security interlock key.
The PIV is a multi faceted product that has been used widely by the worlds chemical/petrochemical
industries among which we are proud to include Shell & BP as our customers. The PIV is used
extensively in critical duty applications such as Emergency Valve Testing. Wellhead Lockouts,
Smoke Evacuation In Fire Damper Override Systems, Deluge Override etc. These applications are
located in Onshore and Offshore environments from the extreme cold of Alaska & Siberia to the
Deserts of Arabia.
Regular Test Ensures Safety
The regular use of this test, in conjunction with other
system tests, will ensure, as far as is practically
possible, that the ESD valve will move when
required and that the operator has discharged his
requirement to ensure that the ESD system is
maintained in a fully operative state.
Security
In all cases a security key lock is used to move the
PIV to the required positions, ensuring that testing
can be controlled and limited to authorised persons.
This key can only be withdrawn in the normal
position to ensure that systems are not inadvertently
left in the test position. Keys can be supplied to any
number of required profiles. The electrical switch is
used to send a signal to the DCS system (or
elsewhere) indicating that a test is being carried out.
The Drallim Solution
The manner by which the Drallim system produces the limited movement test is by utilising the
actuators own characteristics, applying in the case of double acting devices equalised pressure
across the actuator; in the case of single acting actuators by applying a reduced pressure acting
against the spring. Fine adjustment can be made on the degree of opening/closing to allow for
precise limited movement in order that the process is not interrupted. Once set the operator has no
access to change the preset movement. In both cases the normal operation of the system is not
disrupted until the test procedure takes place. Safety facilities are built in to allow the ESD command
to override the Testing System. Remote operation is available for timed automatic testing.

In the interests of technical progress the company reserves the right to make design and manufacture
changes to the goods described in this brochure.