CASE STUDY: Twenty-four Years of Reliable Service in Pulp and Paper

Located at the head of the Alberni Inlet on Vancouver Island, Canada, the Catalyst Port Alberni Mill is the leading producer of telephone directory, lightweight coated and specialty paper products throughout North America, South America and Asia.

CHALLENGE

The mill had an annual shutdown where maintenance and valve replacements were scheduled in addition to a few unplanned shutdowns. Boiler drum vents are only used when the boiler is coming down for an  outage and are used to prevent a vacuum from forming during the last stages of the pressure drop.

ValvTechnologies’ boiler drum vent valve after 24 years in service.

The boiler vent spends most of its time closed, isolating boiler pressure and a limited but important time open. While in the closed position, any leakage cross the seats would result in damage by steam cutting. Significant leakage from the valve caused it to be frequently overhauled or replaced with the same Y-pattern globe valves.

SOLUTION

The assistant steam chief at the mill required a long-term solution. He turned to ValvTechnologies to replace the Y-pattern globe valve with V Series 2” Class 1500 seat supported severe service metal seated ball valve. A valve that is
guaranteed with a four-year, zero-leakage warranty.

OUTCOME

More than two decades later, ValvTechnologies received an order to replace the original valve sold in 1997. The valve had well-exceeded expectations, having performed under severe conditions.

The single valve investment saved the customer more than $19,000 on replacement valves and countless more in avoiding the yearly downtime
in labor costs and lost fuel producing steam.