Metso's Innovative Cryogenic BWX Valve from Idea to Order in Six Months

Successful collaboration between Metso and Linde has resulted in the new BWX cryogenic metal-seated butterfly valve. The new valve was approved in December 2014, and six months later in March 2015, the first order was received. BWX will be used in Linde's greenfield project for an air separation unit (ASU) in Eisenhuttenstadt, Germany, and now easily enables Linde to fulfill its growing cryogenic and oxygen service requirements.

Metso developed the new BWX valve in close collaboration with both Linde's Engineering and Gases divisions as a solution that could be applied to their new challenging cryogenic and oxygen services with high tightness requirements. The valve features a unique metal-seated butterfly design with high Cv values. BWX incorporates full dry assembly and "free of oil" production, which are essential for demanding applications that require a high level of tightness. Most importantly, BWX is designed to meet the new oxygen service requirements, an area of growing concern that has not been addressed until now.

100% requirements compliance

"Time-to-market was a considerable issue for Linde. Thanks to Metso's fast reaction and high level of professionalism, we met the tight deadline," Ingo Leufgen, Sales & Service Director at Metso in Germany and Switzerland, comments on the project.

After completion of the intense research and development project by Metso's team in Horgau, Germany, and Linde's engineers approved the product at the end of 2014. Close collaboration from both companies ensured 100% compliance of the end product with all specified requirements.

The cryogenic BWX valve will be installed at Linde's ASU in Eisenhuttenstadt, Germany. Once on stream, the unit's main purpose will be to serve oxygen and nitrogen to the local ArcelorMittal steel manufacturing facility. The uncompromising valve quality will play a crucial role in securing the plant's reliable, efficient operation in the long run.

Being a partner, not just a supplier

"This first BWX cryogenic valve order marks a milestone with one of our key customers. The BWX development highlights our engineering capabilities as well as our fast reaction ability to the changing market requirements," says Martin DreBen, Business Manager, Oil & Gas Business Line, Metso. "There was a clear gap in the industrial gases sector when it comes to the products with extremely high tightness that fit the challenging cryogenic and oxygen services. BWX is now capable to successfully fill it. We proved our ability to be a partner and not just a supplier." For Linde, the long-term value from having BWX valves at its air separation facility includes increased safety and improved overall process performance, ensuring the plant's efficient operation and compliance with the latest safety and quality standards.

BWX not only meets Linde's requirements, it also offers value for other industrial gases applications as well as pump and turbine customers by helping them fulfill future requirements.

About Linde

The Linde Group, the world's largest gases and engineering company headquartered in Munich, Germany, supplies industrial and medical gases, plants, hardware and application solutions to virtually every branch of industry. In the 2014 financial year, The Linde Group generated revenue of around EUR 17 bn with approximately 65,500 employees working in more than 100 countries worldwide.