Pioneering Valve Cladding Wins Severn Glocon An Oilfield Development Order 10th November 2010

Severn Glocon has overcome the prohibitive costs of casting Inconel valves with a pioneering new cladding technique, which has won them a contract to supply four highly specialised 24-inch Inconel-clad control valves for the Maniffa field development in Saudi Arabia.

Inconel alloys’ oxidation and corrosion-resistant properties make them the material of choice for many severe service applications. They are invaluable in natural gas applications likely to involve sour, corrosive gases such as hydrogen sulphide. However, whilst smaller valves can be cast in Inconel, the cost is frequently prohibitive for larger valves.

Severn Glocon has devised the revolutionary process that uses a specialist welding procedures to clad the base metal with Inconel. The parts exposed to hydrogen sulphide, such as the body, flange and bonnet, are thus protected from damage.

Sales Director Ron Baker comments, “Our creative approach reinforces Severn Glocon’s reputation for outstanding engineering. We work innovatively and intelligently to manufacture high-integrity valves that meet even the most demanding needs, whilst still being cost-effective.”