Emergency Shut Down Valves - ESD

By
Er. Laxman Singh Sankhla
B.E.Mech., Chartered Engineer
Jodhpur, India
Mail ID: laxman9992001@yahoo.co.in
Emergency Shut Down Valves - ESD
Another group of automatically actuated valves is the ESD Valves. ESD valves are
operated automatically when there are production problems and the plant needs to
be shut down because of an emergency.
These valves may have any of the above actuator system, however in a number of
ESD Valves, the actuation is performed by electro-magnetism.
Solenoid/Magnetic Actuators.
Below are 2 examples of Solenoid/Magnetic Actuators.

Figure 31 Solenoid Valve Operation

Solenoid operated valves are not very large. They are commonly used to shut off
instrument air supply to control valves. They are often used in emergency shutdown
systems (ESD's). This is illustrated above in figure 31.
Solenoid valves use the principle of electromagnetism to operate. As long as the coil
is energised, electromagnetism holds the core down. The valve remains open and
instrument air reaches the control valve.
In an emergency the coil is deenergised. Then the coil moves up and shuts off the
instrument air to the control valve. The control valve can be set up to open, close or
remain in its position.

Figure 32 Solenoid Valve Operation

The Electromagnetic force from the coil holds the solenoid core up, allowing
instrument air to the control valve actuator.
When power to the coil is shut off the solenoid core moves down shutting off the
instrument air supply to the valve actuator. At the same time the system air is vented
from the actuator. This is illustrated in the diagram above. This is illustrated above in
figure 32.