What Is a Pneumatic Diaphragm Actuator Of Control Valve

What is a Diphragm Actuator ?

By themselves, valves cannot control a process. Manual valves require an operator to position them to control a process variable. Valves that must be operated remotely and automatically require special devices to move them. These devices are called actuators.

Actuators may be pneumatic, hydraulic, or electric solenoids or motors.

Diaphragm actuators are pneumatically operated and they use an air supply from the control system or other sources. Diaphragm actuators are normally used for control valves, which are a type of globe valve that is typically used to regulate the fluid in order to adjust some process variables, such as pressure, temperature, or flow rate. Diaphragm actuators are used in all sectors of the oil and gas industry except for subsea. The most common styles for diaphragm actuators are known as “direct-acting” and “reverse-acting.”

Pneumatic Diaphragm Actuators

A simplified diagram of a pneumatic actuator. It operates by a combination of force created by air and spring force. The actuator positions a control valve by transmitting its motion through the stem.

A rubber diaphragm separates the actuator housing into two air chambers. The upper chamber receives supply air through an opening in the top of the housing.

The bottom chamber contains a spring that forces the diaphragm against mechanical stops in the upper chamber. Finally, a local indicator is connected to the stem to indicate the position of the valve.

The position of the valve is controlled by varying supply air pressure in the upper chamber. This results in a varying force on the top of the diaphragm. Initially, with no supply of air, the spring forces the diaphragm upward against the mechanical stops and holds the valve fully open.

As supply air pressure is increased from zero, its force on top of the diaphragm begins to overcome the opposing force of the spring. This causes the diaphragm to move downward and the control valve to close. With an increasing supply of air pressure, the diaphragm will continue to move downward and compress the spring until the control valve is fully closed.

Conversely, if supply air pressure is decreased, the spring will begin to force the diaphragm upward and open the control valve. Additionally, if supply pressure is held constant at some value between zero and maximum, the valve will position at an intermediate position. Therefore, the valve can be positioned anywhere between fully open and fully closed in response to changes in supply air pressure.

A Positioner is a device that regulates the supply of air pressure to a pneumatic actuator. It does this by comparing the actuator’s demanded position with the control valve’s actual position.

The demanded position is transmitted by a pneumatic or electrical control signal from a controller to the positioner. The pneumatic actuator in Figure 1 is shown in Figure 2 with a controller and positioner added.

The controller generates an output signal that represents the demanded position. This signal is sent to the positioner. Externally, the positioner consists of an input connection for the control signal (4-20mA), an instrument supply air input connection, a supply air output connection, a supply air vent connection, and a feedback linkage.

Internally, it contains an intricate network of electrical transducers, air lines, valves, linkages, and necessary adjustments. Other positioners may also provide controls for local valve positioning and gauges to indicate supply air pressure and control air pressure (for pneumatic controllers – old controlling methods).

The controller responds to a deviation of a controlled variable from the setpoint and varies the control output signal accordingly to correct the deviation. The control output signal is sent to the Positioner, which responds by increasing or decreasing the supply of air to the actuator.

The positioning of the actuator and control valve is fed back to the positioner through the feedback linkage. When the valve has reached the position demanded by the controller, the positioner stops the change in supply air pressure and holds the valve at the new position. This, in turn, corrects the controlled variable’s deviation from the setpoint.

For example, as the control signal increases, a valve inside the positioner admits more supply air to the actuator. As a result, the control valve moves downward. The linkage transmits the valve position information back to the positioner.

This forms a small internal feedback loop for the actuator. When the valve reaches the position that correlates to the control signal, the linkage stops supplying airflow to the actuator.

This causes the actuator to stop. On the other hand, if the control signal decreases, another valve inside the positioner opens and allows the supply air pressure to decrease by venting the supply air. This causes the valve to move upward and open. When the valve has opened to the proper position, the positioner stops venting air from the actuator and stops the movement of the control valve.

Advantages of Pneumatic Diaphragm Actuators

The benefits of pneumatic actuators come from their simplicity.

Pneumatic actuators’ typical applications involve areas where the conditions involve extreme temperatures, a typical temperature range is -40°F to 250°F.

In terms of safety and inspection, using air and pneumatic actuators avoids using hazardous materials. They also meet explosion protection and machine safety requirements because they create no magnetic interference due to the lack of motors.

Pneumatic actuators are also lightweight, require minimal maintenance, and have durable components that make pneumatics a cost-effective method of power.

Disadvantages of Pneumatic Diaphragm Actuators

Pressure losses and compressibility of air make pneumatics less efficient than other methods. Compressor and air delivery limitations mean that operations at lower pressures will have lower forces and slower speeds.

To be truly efficient, pneumatic actuators must be sized for a specific job. Hence, they cannot be used for other applications.

Even though the air is readily available, it can be contaminated by oil or lubrication, leading to downtime and maintenance. Companies still have to pay for compressed air, making it consumable, along with the compressor and line maintenance costs.

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