FEPA

Fluid Power Actuators and Control Systems

GHA range
Gas-over-oil actuators

Quality Assurance

FEPA has designed and implemented a Quality Assurance System in accordance with European standard EN
290001 (ISO 9001). FEPA is certified for the Environmental Management System in accordance with ISO EN 14001.
FEPA is also assessed by Bureau VERITAS.

Advantages of gas-over-oil actuators and typical applications

The gas over oil actuation principle has distinct advantages over direct gas actuation in critical applications.
With the gas over oil system, hydraulic fluid is the only medium to enter the actuator, thereby protecting internal metal
parts from corrosion. Making use of hydraulic fluid also prevents contaminants and moisture from entering the
actuator. Any moisture in the gas falls to the base of the pressure vessel where it can be drained off. In the direct gas
system internal metal parts are exposed directly to pipeline gas, with all the contaminants and moisture contained
within it. This can cause long term corrosion and moisture collecting in the actuator can freeze and cause a
malfunction.
In the gas over oil system the actuators seals are constantly bathed in hydraulic fluid providing lubrication and
extending service life. In the direct gas system the actuators seals are more prone to dry out and, this can be
aggravated by corrosion or dirt on the metal surfaces leading to premature seal failure.
The growing awareness in several industries of the need to properly inspect and certify all pressure vessels
containing high pressure gas has led to restrictions on the use of non-uniform pressure vessels such as actuator
cylinders. The gas over oil operating system restricts the high pressure gas to the specifically designed pressure
vessel, with the actuator housing only being pressurised with hydraulic fluid.
Gas over oil actuators work smoothly, with no jerky motion, because the non compressible hydraulic fluid
provides precise speed and movement control. It also allows for easy installation of hydraulic hand pumps for manual
valve operation when needed. Direct gas actuators without hydraulic dampening systems have no integral energy
absorbing device, which is needed to ensure against the stick-slip phenomenon. This can occur where valves have
been static in one position over a long period and subjected to temperature cycling. When the excess pressure applied
by the gas pressure finally frees the valve, it can swing over and impact on the end stop, with consequent potential
damage to the valve structure.

Technical characteristics

Features

0
Scotch yoke mechanism transforms movement of the hydraulic cylinder in to 90 rotation.
Remote and local operation solution.
Actuator flange can be machined to customer specifications
Gas over oil tank and gas storage tank according ASME VIII Div. 1, PED 97/23 EC or BS 5500 inspection
authority stamped.
Special coatind avaible for corrosive environments

Approvals

Actuators are built according the following European directives :

Low Voltage Directive EC/392
ATEX 94/9/EC Directive
PED Pressure Equipment Directive 97/23 EC

Republicii st. no. 316 Phone: 0235/415990; 414660 S.G. GHA

Brlad - 731120 Fax: 0235/421618; 413729 REV.: 1 / 2012
E-mail: fepa@fepa.ro PAG.: 1/4
 FEPA
Materials

The FEPA "Quarter-Turn Gas-Over-Oil" valve actuator is designed to operate using direct pipeline natural gas
with pressures up to 103 bar (1500 psi).
All materials for actuator parts in contact with Process Gas meet the requirements of NACE MR-0175/
ISO 15156 with all additional requirements of the client.
Material of Construction for piston assembly, solenoid valves, switches, pressure gauges, etc. are 316 SS.

Technical data

The FEPA "Quarter-Turn Gas-Over-Oil" valve actuator is designed to operate at ambient temperature from
0 0
-29 C to +100 C, providing torque outputs over 113 000 Nm. The FEPA design utilizes a proven scotch yoke actuator
with dual oil tanks.
The FEPA control modules can bus with the actuator to implement various valve control strategies.
In case no pressure source is available, manual operation are possible by means of a Lever Hand pump and
nitrogen line, provided as alternative supply.

Double hydraulic cylinder

Utilizing a double cylinder of varying size with ASME rated oil tanks mounted directly on the actuator body, the
FEPA Gas-Over-Oil actuator uses the hi-pressure gas direct from the pipeline to pressure the hydraulic fluid in the
tanks into the cylinder at up to 103 bar. The proven FEPA valves are used to direct the power gas to the appropriate
oil tank.
A hydraulic hand pump is installed in the control circuit between the oil tanks and the cylinder to provide
smooth, efficient manual operation. When pipeline pressure is not available, the hand pump can be used to safely
and reliably open and close the valve at its maximum torque requirement. Independently adjustable opening and
closing speed controls are easily adjusted in the field without the need for special tools.

Scotch yoke design

The scotch yoke mechanism provides high breakaway torque at the beginning and ending of the stroke
resulting in smaller cylinder, which reduces cost and gas consumption. All FEPA actuators utilize materials to absorb
any side loads, guaranteeing smooth operation and longer cycle life.

Cylinders

The cylinder walls are precision honed to ensure long lasting, trouble free service. The piston is furnished with
a Teflon impregnated graphite guide ring (wear band) that eliminates any possible metal to metal contact. The piston
is made of stainless steel AISI 316 and rod seals are made of elastomers suitable for the most severe working
conditions.

Valve position indicator

If required, the actuator can be supplied with electric limit switches which can be adjusted along the complete
angular stroke of the valve thereby: 100% Open, intermediate position-90% open and 100% close.
In the upper part of the limit switch enclosure here is a local position indicator, which shows the position of the
valve along the angular stroke.
When a remote continuous signaling of the position of the valve is required, the actuator is supplied with a
position transmitter in accordance with customer requirements.
The limit switches can be provided in different types according to customer requirements for example
proximity type, DPDT, contact rating 1A at 24V DC. The limit switch are enclosed in a weather-proof IP 65 according
to EN 60529 and IEC 529 and explosion-proof enclosure made of 316 SS, which meets the ATEX European standard
EEx i.

Republicii st. no. 316 Phone: 0235/415990; 414660 S.G. GHA

Brlad - 731120 Fax: 0235/421618; 413729 REV.: 1 / 2012
E-mail: fepa@fepa.ro PAG.: 2/4
 FEPA

2 3
Table 1 GHA actuator assembly 4
1 5
Item Name
1 Hydraulic double acting cylinder
2

A
Gas / oil tank - open
3 Control pannel
4 Gas / oil tank - close
6
5 Hydraulic double acting cylinder
6 Gas storage tank B
7 Valve position indicator 3
4
8 Hydraulic manual override with hand pump
9 Housing with scotch-yoke mechanism

2 7

9
8
Fig. 1 Actuator assembly and gabarit
D D

Table 2 Dimensions [mm] and mechanical data (maximum alowable pressure 103 bar (1500psi)) *

Max. operating torque Max. operating

Actuator model A B C D Weight [Nm] pressure [bar] **
GHA 150 - 1 742 892 892 1000 307 14700 36
GHA 180 - 1 742 1425 1425 1040 418 14700 22
GHA 150 - 2 855 891 891 1103 381 29000 46
GHA 180 - 2 855 1418 1418 1145 502 29000 28
GHA 180 - 3 1015 1417 1417 1190 642 58000 48
GHA 200 - 3 1015 1417 1417 1212 678 58000 37
GHA 200 - 4 1100 1507 1507 1268 883 110000 66
GHA 250 - 4 1100 1557 1557 1268 951 110000 51
GHA 400 - 4 1100 2014 2014 1268 1100 110000 34

*Maximum alowable pressure is the maximum static pressure that may be applied to cylinder with the piston against the travel stop
** Maximum operating pressure is the pressure required to produce the maximum operating torque of the actuator

Republicii st. no. 316 Phone: 0235/415990; 414660 S.G. GHA

Brlad - 731120 Fax: 0235/421618; 413729 REV.: 1 / 2012
E-mail: fepa@fepa.ro PAG.: 3/4
 FEPA
Table 3 Parts list and schematics
Item Description Qty.
1a
1b
Isolation valve upstream
Isolation valve downstream
1
1
P Close 9a
11
Open 9b
24V DC 24V DC
1c Isolation valve 1 10
2 Shuttle valve 2 8
3 Drain valve 4
4 Gas pressure gauge (supply line) 1 Close Open
5 Gas storage tank 1
6 Pressure relief valve 3 7
7 Pilot gas regulator 1 12a 12b

Local / remote valve padlocable in remote 6

8 1
position 2
9a Solenoid 3/2 NC valve (close) 1 23 5
9b Solenoid 3/2 NC valve (open) 1
10 Gas pressure gauge (pilot line) 1 4
Junction boxe explosion proof according to IEC 22
6 25 6
3
60079 for solenoid valves. Cable entries for outgoing
11 1
cables are M25 and one spare entry is provided with 2
M20. 24
12a Pressure/manual operated 3/2 NC valve (close) 1
1a
12b Pressure/manual operated 3/2 NC valve (open) 1 Close 14a 1b 14b Open

13 Hand pump 1 21

DOWNSTREAM
UPSTREAM
14a Gas / oil tank (close) 1
14b Gas / oil tank (open) 1 H
15a 3/2 hand operated valve (close) 1 13
1c 3
15b 3/2 hand operated valve (open) 1 3
15a 15b
20
16a Unidirectional flow regulator (close) 1
16b Unidirectional flow regulator (open) 1
17 FEPA double acting actuator 1 E 3

End of travel limit switch housing (see Note) 16a

18 1 16b
with local indication 17
Junction boxe suitable for intrinsically safe circuits
for limit switches, selector switches and pushbuttons.
19 1 CLOSE
Cable entries for outgoing cables are M32 and one
spare entry is provided with M20.
20 Reference pressure tank 1 18
21 Unidirectional flow regulator 1 19

22 Diferential pressure switch 1

23 Minim pressure switch 1
24 Pressure setting access 2
25 Nitrogen line provided as alternative supply. 1
Fig. 2 Schematics

Note Limit switches indicate 100% Open, intermediate position-90% Open and 100% Close. Local control panel are equipped with partial stroke
test.

Local operation
Isolate the remote control pilot by moving valve (8) to the local operation position, then act the push-button of valve
(12a) to close or (12b) to open the valve.

Remote operation
Open the valve (8) to allow control pilot gas to the solenoid valves, then energies solenoid (9a) to close or (9b) to open
the valve actuator.

Manual operation in absence off line pressure

For close the main valve: pull-on the lever of valve (15a) then pumped hand pump (13).
For open the main valve: pull-on the lever of valve (15b) then pumped hand pump (13).

Linebreak controls
Linebreak controls are optional and include devices which make the actuator to drive the main valve in closed position.

Republicii st. no. 316 Phone: 0235/415990; 414660 S.G. GHA

Brlad - 731120 Fax: 0235/421618; 413729 REV.: 1 / 2012
E-mail: fepa@fepa.ro PAG.: 4/4