Valve actuators are devices used to position valves. They can be used to fully open and shut a valve, or in an application that requires constant and precise control, such as regulating the flow of fuel to a gas turbine, modulate the position of the valve.

There are many applications that call for the use of actuators, such as:

• Automating a process
• Positioning valves that require large amounts of torque to operate
• Instantaneous operation of systems used to protect personnel and equipment from dangerous conditions
• Use in controlling areas where manual operation is impractical or impossible
• Continually adjusting systems that must maintain desired parameters

Types of Actuators:

There are three basic types of automatic valve actuators: those that are controlled by pressurized air, by electrical power, or by hydraulic force.

Selecting the proper actuator is based on the following considerations:

• The valve application
• The means available to power the actuator
• The speed at which the valve needs to operate
• The amount of force required to operate the valve
• The type of valve to be operated
• The cost versus the benefit for using each type of actuator

Pneumatic Actuator

Pneumatic actuators use pressurized air to operate a valve. They do this by applying the force of the air to a piston or a diaphragm attached to the valve stem. Pneumatic actuators are used to provide automatic or semi-automatic valve operation, and are the most popular type in use due to their dependability and simplicity of design.

The advantages of pneumatic actuators include:

• Dependability and simplicity of design
• Fast stroking speeds
• Low fire risk
• Low costs
• Pressurized air can be stored, so the valves can be operated when power is lost

The disadvantages of pneumatic actuators include:

• Poor performance at slow speeds
• Compressibility of air, which can lead to inconsistent speeds of shaft movement
• Impossible to precisely control position, unless fully open or shut

Due to their simple design, high reliability, and low cost, pneumatic diaphragm actuators are used in many industrial applications. For example, pneumatic diaphragm actuators are often used to control cooling water flow in power plants.

Electrical Actuator

Electric actuators include electric motors and solenoid-actuated valves. Electric motors can be used to open, close, and position a valve manually, automatically, or semi-automatically. The motor operates in both directions and drives the valve stem by means of gear couplings. Solenoid valves use electric power to attract a magnetic slug attached to the valve stem and are used in automatic open-close applications.

The advantages of electric actuators include:

• No source of pressurized air or fluid required
• Useful where low temperatures could cause freezing of condensation in air supply lines
• Capable of producing very large amounts of torque
• Capable of producing consistent and adjustable operating speeds
• Electric cables are easier than piping to route to an actuator

The disadvantages of electric actuators include:

• More expensive and complex than other types of actuators
• Slower comparative operation speeds
• Susceptible to a loss of power
• Potential fire hazard

When a facility is located in a cold enough climate, any moisture trapped in pneumatic control lines can freeze, removing control of that valve. In conditions such as this, many facilities will rely on electric motor actuators for reliability and efficiency during extreme temperatures.

Hydraulic Actuator

Hydraulic actuators use a pressurized fluid to control valve movement. The hydraulic fluid used is either water or oil and is fed to either one or both sides of a piston to cause movement. Hydraulic valves provide for automatic and semi-automatic valve operation.

The advantages of hydraulic actuators include:

• More powerful than a pneumatic actuator of the same size
• Precise control of valve position
• Capable of converting a small input pressure into a large output pressure
• Incompressibility of the fluid, which means very little energy is lost during operation

The disadvantages of hydraulic actuators include:

• External hydraulic pump required
• Efficiency can be influenced by changes in temperature
• More expensive and complex than pneumatic actuators
• Can leak, causing a potential fire hazard

Hydraulic actuators are often used to operate the main stop and control valves for high-pressure steam turbine piping. The actuator’s ability to operate the valve against the high-pressure steam, as well as the ability to quickly shut the valve on the loss of control oil, makes hydraulic actuators well suited for this task.

Functions of the Valve Actuator

All actuators must be capable of the following functions:

• Move the closure mechanism (ball, disc, or plug). Actuators must have the appropriate directing controls and provide enough torque/thrust to move the closure mechanism in both mild and severe conditions.
• Hold the valve closed in directed position. Actuators mush have the necessary spring, fluid power, or mechanical stiffness to hold the valve closed even in throttling applications wherein fluids provide excessive torque against it.
• Properly seat the valve. For example, butterfly valves are considered properly seated when their disc has been positioned in the resilient seat or liner.
• Have a sound failure mode. In the event of a disaster of system failure, valve actuators must be equipped to be fully opened, closed, or stay as-is, depending on the application.
• Capable of rotating the rotation needed. Most valves will require either 90 or 180 degrees of rotation. Part of selecting the right valve actuator will depend on knowing the required rotational travel for use.
• Capable of operating under required speed. The cycle speed is how the valve actuator is regulated.

Also Read: Basic Parts of Control Valves