Upstream refers to all operational processes from which the production of natural gas, fuel oil and oil originates. It includes on-shore and off-shore applications where conditions are most critical.
Main processes are aimed at exploration and production. Valves in this field, where abrasive and corrosive media are often present, sometimes in combination with high temperatures, are often engineered for specific operating conditions.
TIV Valves has significant experience in Upstream that has led it to offer a wide range of solutions. Partnerships with customers are essential to exchanging the information needed to develop customised valves for the individual application.
This application involves processes to transform raw materials from extraction in order to produce semi-finished products for other industries and finished products. The synthesis processes included in this sector involve critical services in terms of high temperatures and aggressiveness of the fluids handled.
This requires a careful selection of plant materials that also involves valves: austenitic or biphasic steels or nickel alloys are frequently used when the process fluids are particularly corrosive.
In this area, the relationship with the customer is critical in order to learn about process data to optimize the design.
TIV Valves can develop solutions for a wide range of services falling under this application.
Transport includes all applications involved in bringing natural gas and hydrocarbons more generally from refining and processing plants to distribution networks.
Pre-filtered fluids are not a critical application, so carbon steels can be used and it is important to work on reliability by ensuring a longer valve life cycle. Normally transport pipelines are large (up to 60") and operating pressures are medium to high (usually around 70 bar).
TIV Valves offers customised solutions to meet specific requirements.
The purpose of the distribution network is to bring natural gas to individual industrial and domestic consumers, also passing through power stations. In order to lower the gas pressure to the correct level, depending on the type of use and reaching even the most remote points, there are first and second stage reduction and metering cabins, where the gas is reduced in pressure and metered.
In these systems, it is very common to use shut-off and control valves that can manage the operation and allow maintenance when necessary.
TIV Valves has a range of medium and low pressure valves where the focus is on short lead times.
LNG (liquefied natural gas) is seen by many Oil & Gas stakeholders as a transitional energy carrier towards renewables. LNG is natural gas that is liquefied through a cooling process down to around -165°C. This makes it possible to reduce the specific volume of gas by about 600 times compared to standard conditions, reducing the costs for storage and transport, that can happen via sea through ships FLNG, in which the GNL remains almost entirely in liquid phase. Another advantage of LNG is that it can easily reach areas not served by pipelines.
The low operating temperature required by this application implies an appropriate choice of metal and polymer materials in order to ensure proper valve operation.
TIV Valves has a complete range of valves for cryogenic service that are customised on a case-by-case basis and, when required, tested in-house under process conditions.
Water vapour is the only product of hydrogen combustion, so its use as an energy carrier would allow carbon dioxide emissions to be reduced to zero, decisively counteracting the effects of climate change.
It also makes it possible to optimise the management of electricity demand discontinuity, since the latter can be converted into hydrogen through electrolysers. By its nature, gas is easier to store and transport than electricity, and natural gas pipelines can be used for this purpose under certain conditions.
TIV's commitment in this area is to support this paradigm shift through the development of products suitable for every point in the hydrogen value chain, from production to end-user.
The hydrogen valves are customised according to timely service by selecting materials and test procedures to ensure safety, reliability and durability.
The Energy & Power sector covers all processes dedicated to power generation, from hydroelectricity to nuclear power, from turbogas plants to renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. In all these technologies, fluid management systems and thus valves are used. Depending on the process, high-pressure or high-temperature gases, aggressive fluids, water or hydrocarbons may be involved.
Various types and configurations of TIV valves find their place in this vast scenario, which can be very different depending on the type of plant and the operating conditions for which they are selected.