Use of remotely operated shut-off valves for emergency isolation of pressure valves and hazardous fluids

Abstract

This paper reviews selected CSB, OHSA, and MSHA investigations of severe chemical, petrochemical, and metallurgical plant incidents with the objective of identifying examples where one or more emergency isolation valves, if installed and operated successfully, could have minimized the severity of the outcome or averted the incident entirely. It examines some of the root causes of failures of critical isolation valves, actuators, and emergency shutdown systems and identifies the frequency of preventive maintenance and testing measures that can be taken to minimize the probability of failure on demand.