A research team from Omsk State Technical University in Russia has developed a mobile system for offline diagnosis of cut-off control valves. The first batch of mass-produced samples is ready to be delivered to customers, mainly for refining and petrochemical facilities.
The school was established in 1942 and is an important engineering institution in the Siberian region. The research and development department is collaborating with the Omsk globe valve factory, led by Grigory Ruskih, director of the "Fundamentals of Mechanics and Automatic Control Theory" teaching and research office, and Dmitry Kreping, senior researcher at the "Microprocessor Equipment" research laboratory. The first version developed by the team earlier could only be used in the laboratory, and the upgraded system has achieved field operation capabilities and meets explosion-proof safety requirements. The Russian Federal Intellectual Property Office has granted a patent and the team has also obtained a registration certificate for the supporting software. The system has obtained certification for explosion-proof equipment technology regulations from the Eurasian Economic Union.
The system can be loaded into a compact backpack and valve status can be checked on-site without disassembling the equipment. It takes about 20 minutes from deployment to completion of testing. The system includes a diagnostic unit, a sensor group, and a tablet computer with dedicated software installed, which can automatically evaluate the mechanical status of the valve, including the driver, friction components, and control system, without the need for expert intervention. By upgrading hardware and developing new software, the system has been adapted to explosive environments.
This system helps enterprises quickly diagnose equipment, make maintenance decisions, reduce maintenance costs, and minimize the risk of unexpected downtime. In addition, it can also be used for incoming and outgoing inspections during equipment procurement and maintenance. At present, Omsk State Technical University is exploring commercialization paths with Omsk globe valve factory, including providing operation and maintenance support for specific customers, directly selling equipment, and providing commercial diagnostic services for petrochemical enterprises.
