Tyco Valves & Controls has supplied rapid response stainless steel Morin actuators to European PTA manufacturer DuPontSA, to overcome corrosion problems and ensure absolute safety in a highly flammable process.

DuPontSA’s production facility in Wilton, UK, manufactures purified terephthalic acid (PTA), which is widely used by manufacturers in products such as polyester based performance fabrics, photographic film and bottles. 
Tyco was required to deliver a cost-effective control solution that could survive the effects of corrosive vapours that had previously attacked carbon steel components, and that could be accommodated in the limited space available, the company said. 
DuPontSA specified an actuator that would open or close its block valves within 1.5 seconds.  The Morin actuators passed the safety test. 
Tyco was also able to provide its actuators in three different sizes to cater for each location, the company said.
PTA is produced in powder form by oxidising paraxylene.  Morin actuators control a series of critical-duty 8” block valves on pipelines feeding oxygen, paraxylene and acetic acid to two PTA reactors.  They also control the reactor discharge lines and a nitrogen fire blanket line.