1.06.001 Needle Valve Adjustment

This Policy is completed waiting on Field Service, Engineering & Safety approval.

Purpose

The purpose of this procedure is to establish the minimum requirements for safely evaluating the factory stops on the valve stem of Needle Valves installed on Flogistix compressor packages and to prevent the valve stem from being removed under pressure .

Also to ensure the Needle Valve is adjusted properly, as laid out in this procedure.

Procedure

This procedure applies to all units that are in currently in service in the field, Test Loop, at a repair shop, and or in storage yards. Flogistix Service Technicians will perform the proper adjustment and diagnostics as required when making adjustments to the Needle Valve installed or when being used on a Flogistix compressor package. This procedure is to be used as a guide to the proper adjustment and diagnosis of the Needle Valve.

Before any work is performed a JSA needs to be done according to Flogistix procedure along with any Customer requirements before any work is started.

Before any work is performed all Safety precautions and LOTO must be in-place according to Flogistix policy for the unit type.

This is a drawing of the SPN600B needle valve that is commonly used on Flogistix units. On this style needle valve there is a stem assembly with a bonnet. In the side of the bonnet is a rivet, this rivet is used as a stop to keep the stem assembly from being able to be rotated all the way out of the valve body. There is a machined shoulder at the top of the valve body that is used as a stop, the rivet in the valve stem bonnet will stop against this shoulder. If the rivet is not in all the way or is not deep enough it could cause the valve stem assembly to be rotated past the stop on the valve body. If rotated past the shoulder stop the valve stem could be rotated all the way out of the valve body. During the inspection if found that a needle valve has failed, it will need to be replaced and further inspected by Parker Valve Company to determine what has failed on the needle valve.

As a preventative action to prevent the possibility of a failure of this type needle valve it is recommend to do the following. When at a compressor unit with the SPN600B (Brass type) needle valve installed, the valve should be tested.

To test the valve, the compressor unit should be shut down and all pressure relieved or blown down from the unit. With all pressure relieved from the compressor unit the needle valve should be adjusted to the fully open position. To open the needle valve to the fully open position, turn the bonnet counter clockwise until the valve stem assembly comes against the stop, and can no longer be rotated. If the valve can be rotated past the stop, and the valve stem assembly can be removed, the valve needs to be replaced.

If the needle valve stops when rotated counter clockwise and cannot be rotated past the stop with a decent amount of effort, then the valve should be suitable for continued use. If the valve stem is leaking fluid during operation then the valve is recommended to be replaced.

If the existing SPN600B valve is determined to be good and is not being replaced, then the compressor unit can be returned to service under the following condition. When the unit has been returned to service the needle valve needs to be set to the position needed for operation of the scavenge line or heat tracing. Once the correct valve position is determined, even if in the closed position the Allen set screw needs to be tightened to lock the valve stem bonnet in place, this will prevent any further rotation of the valve stem.

If the SPN600B needle valve is replaced it needs to be replaced with the stainless steel type needle valve.

Responsibilities

Management - Management is responsible for implementing, supporting, and enforcing the requirements of this procedure to their respective locations/area.

EHSS - Responsible to assist in the implementation of this procedure and to review for effectiveness.

Employees, Contractors, Vendors, ETC. - Are responsible to follow the requirements outlined in this procedure and ask for assistance

Scope

This procedure applies to all compressors equipped with an adjustable Needle Valve and are applicable to all Flogistix employees, contractors, and temporary employees.

Hazards

Employees need to be aware of the possibility of release of pressure from the Needle Valve if the the valve stem factory stop is faulted, allowing the valve stem to be rotated past the factory set stop.

Employees should be aware that units could contain flammable and toxic gasses.

Potential for the possible hazards of gas ignition or fire, hot surfaces & fluids, rotating equipment.

Risk of possible concentration of H2S.

Hazardous gases could be in the units pressure vessels, cooler, or associated piping and risk of inhalation of hazardous gas fumes.

Environmental spill of compressor oil and production fluids.

Safety

All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Field Mechanical duties apply for this procedure.

Four Gas Monitor, which is outlined in the Flogistix EHSS Manual, PPE Section 8, Procedure 8.3

This procedure applies to all units in service in the field, at a service shop, or in any storage yard.

Insure Flogistix personnel have proper safety certification or site orientation if required by the Flogistix Customer.

Insure Flogistix personnel adhere to any Customers safety practices.

Proper use of required tools if replacing Needle Valve

Training

All employees shall be initially trained on the following topics:

• Employee Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) procedure according to Flogistix policy

• Emergency and First Aid procedures

• Methods and Observations that may be used to detect the presence or release of a hazardous chemicals or gas in the work place

Tools & Equipment Required

All employees performing procedure to replace defective Needle Valve shall be required to have the listed tools to perform job tasks:

• All required PPE according to Flogistix Safety Policy

• Lock Out Tag Out LOTO items to properly perform LOTO procedure according to Flogistix policy

• Basic Hand Tools

Approvals:

Field Service approved by:

Date:

Engineering approved by:

EHSS approved by:

Date: