| What
is an Indicator Ported Valve? France's
new Indicator Ported Valve (IPV) is a high performance
compressor valve with an indicator port directly
through the valve. A Kiene® or ball valve
attaches to the top of the indicator port to control
the opened and closed position. By connecting
a transducer to the valve, the internal cylinder
pressure of your compressor can be recorded and
analyzed to determine mechanical integrity, performance,
and reliability.
^ frequently asked questions
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Why do I need an
Indicator Ported Valve?
Throughout the past three decades thousands of
air & gas compressors were manufactured without
drilled and tapped cylinders. Plants that purchased
these machines are handicapped today because they
can not access the information required to build
a predictive maintenance program. Industry estimates
that 75% of unscheduled downtime on reciprocating
compressors could have been avoided if information
on wear components was captured through diagnostic
testing.
On a 900-RPM machine with a 5" stroke the
compressor valves open and close 54,000 times
an hour. Piston rings travel 45,000 feet per hour
and packing rings undergo 54,000 pressure and
temperature variations per hour. Mechanical parts
cycling at this rate need to be monitored. This
can now be accomplished with our patented IPV
design.
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Is the IPV suited
for my service?
Each Indicator Ported Valve assembly is custom
designed to maximize the efficiency, capacity,
and life cycle of your system. The IPV is available
in four different configurations from 5"-
20" nose diameter to cover all applications
and operating parameters. Your existing France
Compressor valves can be converted to an IPV if
you want your existing valves reconditioned. Please
contact our Engineering department to discuss
your specific application.
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Can I use the
IPV with my unloader system?
Yes. Since the Indicator Ported Valve was designed
to work with either suction or discharge valves,
the IPV can be installed in your compressor that
has an unloading system.
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What are the
advantages of installing the IPV?
Machines equipped with the IPV give you access
to the information required to increase your compressor's
life cycle and reliability. The average life cycle
for reciprocating compressors range from 8,000-12,000
hours, depending on the cleanliness of the gas
and other mechanical factors. In most cases, these
run times are below the requirements that allow
you to remain competitive and profitable. As you
know, running machines for a designed number of
hours is simply not cost effective.
Giving you access to information through the IPV
will help increase run time between failures,
provide benchmark data for predictive maintenance
planning, and reduce maintenance expenses simultaneously.
Developing a predictive maintenance program through
scheduled monitoring can prevent unscheduled shutdowns
caused by valves, packing sets, piston rings,
and rider rings.
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How
well does the IPV work?
The design and accuracy of the Indicator Ported
Valve has been tested in actual reciprocating
compressors. In addition, each IPV is individually
pressure tested and delivered to you with a proof
test certification
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How do I order an
IPV?
Simply call France Compressor Products at 1-800-675-6646
to obtain an IPV data sheet or to speak with one
of our Product Engineers.
^ frequently asked questions
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