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Rotork actuators installed at South Korean fuel cell plant

High-performance actuators from market-leading manufacturers Rotork have been selected to control the flow of hydrogen gas at a fuel cell power plant in South Korea. The actuation experts will supply linear and quarter-turn electric actuators to Doosan Fuel Cell in an effort to boost the production of one of the renewable energy industry’s cleanest and greenest forms of fuel.

More than 90 Rotork CVL linear electric actuators and 184 of their ExMax quarter-turn electric actuators are to be installed on U.S. fuel cell technology company Doosan Fuel Cell’s project at a Hanhwa Total Co. Ltd plant in Daesan. Each fuel cell will include two CVL actuators and four ExMax actuators to operate globe and ball valves that control the flow of hydrogen gas.

Fuelling the renewable energy industry

A fuel cell is a generator that creates electricity and heat through the electrochemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen. It has no transmission or distribution costs, which means it can reduce energy costs by more than 25%. It is also able to operate 365 days a year and provides renewable energy, which can be adjusted on-off depending on a customer’s requirements.

Fuel cells have great potential as a source of heat and electricity for buildings, as well as for powering electric vehicles. Hydrogen could one day become an important energy carrier, particularly for the renewable energy sector. Renewable energy sources, like solar and wind power, obviously can’t produce energy all the time. However, they could feasibly produce electric energy and hydrogen, which can be stored until they’re required.

Rotork actuators for the renewable energy sector

So why did one of the renewable energy industry’s leading manufacturers of sustainable clean energy solutions choose Rotork actuators for their Daesan-based plant?

Well, Rotork’s CVL actuators include an explosion-proof feature, which was key to Doosan choosing them. ExMax actuators include a fast spring return function which will also improve the fail-safe efficiency and accuracy of the operation. Rotork’s CVL actuators use a 1-phase or DC power supply to provide highly accurate and responsive continuous modulation of control valves without the complexity and cost of a pneumatic supply.

Furthermore, the CVL ensures extremely accurate flow control with resolution figures better than 0.1% and repeatable positional control using a 4-20 mA signal. It features a thrust range of 890 N to 22,241 N (200 to 5,000 lbf). With an on-board data logger included as standard, the CVL is Bluetooth compatible for local setup, control and diagnostics.

Meanwhile, Rotork’s robust and lightweight ExMax actuator uses a 24-240 VAC/VDC power supply and provides a torque range of 5 to 150 Nm (3.7 to 110.6 lbf.ft) and can operate in temperatures ranging from -40 °C to +50 °C (-40 °F to +122 °F). It also provides ingress protection to IP68 standards and is ATEX explosion-proof certified.

About Doosan and Rotork

Doosan clean energy solutions are engineered to meet the needs of the market where, when, and how it's needed. Their PureCell System is a complete energy solution for commercial buildings that not only generates clean, continuous electricity, but also heat and cooling. Rotork is a British-based actuator manufacturer and flow control company that operates in any market where the flow of gases or liquids needs to be controlled. Together, they’re making a positive contribution to furthering the clean energy ambitions of not only the renewable energy industry, but Industry in general.

For more information, visit www.rotork.com.

Company Profile

Rotork

Rotork is recognised as the world’s leading valve, actuation, and flow control company. Over the years, Rotork have established manufacturing facilities, a global network of local offices, and agents who can truly provide a worldwide service.

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