ADAM/SIPLUG: An Innovative Valve Monitoring System

Abstract

Optimized maintenance strategies are a key aspect for safe and undisturbed plant operation. Innovative valve service solutions, e.g. valve diagnostics can support this in an efficient way. The ADAM/SIPLUG valve monitoring system allows full online monitoring of valves and actuators with automatic evaluation and assessment. Especially for safety-related and operation- related valves this provides valuable information on components condition to ensure proper function and contribute to optimization of maintenance strategies as well as effective maintenance performance. The new SIPLUG-4 modules are the evolutionary solution for valve diagnosis at the Motor Control Center (MCC). As the SIPLUG-4 can be installed directly in the MCC outgoing actuator power cable it allows an easy installation in existing switchgear cabinets. Measurement at MCC means also zero effort for performance of diagnostics reducing the number of on-site activities. This results in decrease of maintenance costs and dose rates for deployed personnel. The ADAM evaluation software and database was developed in parallel with the hardware. It provides automatic analysis of the monitoring results using the limit values specified for the valves. The measured data can be transmitted via the power plant’s local area network to the ADAM data server, if the SIPLUG online hardware is installed. With the mobile solution, the data can be transmitted via serial or USB interface to a PC or notebook. With this solution all measurement information will be available immediately in the offices of plant engineers. Also, with SIPLUG online all operations of valves can be automatically recorded. More than 25 years of experience in various plants worldwide show that the application of ADAM/SIPLUG valve diagnostics solution leads to increased plant safety and availability. Some of the references for ADAM/SIPLUG are Germany, Switzerland, Brazil, Spain and Eastern Europe.