Bosch Rexroth unveils world’s smallest electric subsea valve actuator

Bosch Rexroth has engineered a disruptive innovation for electrically actuating valves in the subsea process industry. Called the SVA R2 Subsea Valve Actuator, it is  the world’s first electric actuator that can replace conventional hydraulic cylinders with field-proven safety technology – and without taking up additional space. It has an integrated electric controller that offers precise motion control and, due to condition monitoring and a safety spring, it satisfies Safety Integrity Level (SIL) 3 in accordance with IEC 61508 and IEC 61511.

The actuator minimises energy consumption and is geared toward delicate ecosystems, and installation and operating costs are reduced. When the SVA R2 is used in subsea factories at a depth of up to 4 000 meters, hydraulic pipes or power units are no longer required. The electric supply pipes which are already installed for sensors are adequate to ensure the reliable operation of the actuators. These functions, the operating life and actuator safety have been successfully tested in accordance with international standards.

Previously, process systems’ operators have mainly relied on hydraulic cylinders to open and close subsea valves with a quarter turn and a defined force. With offshore installations like oil & gas production, these cylinders are supplied by a central hydraulic power unit with hydraulic pipes several kilometres long. This uses a great deal of energy to compensate for the cumulated losses and cannot control the movement with precision.

Plant engineers and operators relied on hydraulic cylinders because they are the only components to offer field-proven safety systems with a mechanical spring in a compact design. Conventional electric actuators do not have a safety function like this due to the size and weight requirements. Other designs to ensure safety using subsea batteries cannot guarantee the reliable closing of valves over the required operating life of up to 25 years.

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For the agile development of the SVA R2, the Bosch Rexroth team worked closely with suppliers and operators of offshore installations, and international universities. The new module comprises a pressure-compensated container incorporating an electric drive, a motion control system and a safety device – and can replace the hydraulic cylinders previously used on a 1:1 basis. It requires only one cable for the power supply and communication. The SVA R2 is designed to actuate valves reliably with the power supply that is commonly used for subsea sensors. Switching to compact and safe electric actuators means that the hydraulic pipes several kilometres long and the associated power units and controllers are no longer required.

Designed for high volume production, the electronics for the motion control system offer proven robustness and reliability. The SVA R2 is protected by a number of patents and is designed to operate for 25 years. Bosch Rexroth relies on globally accepted interfaces throughout and supports plant engineers, operators and offshore service providers when standardising equipment. The actuators for rotary adjustment complement the SVA L2 Subsea Valve Actuator for linear movements, which received the “Spotlight On Technology™ Award” from the renowned Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in 2020.

The SVA R2 Subsea Valve Actuator was nominated for and won the HERMES AWARD 2021, the most important international industry award. The Award Jury Chair (and President of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft), Professor Reimund Neugebauer said: “With the SVA R2, the developers at Bosch Rexroth combine economic and ecological aspects into a sustainably innovative product for the maritime process industry.”

Bosch Rexroth tests full scale prototypes on a specially built test stand in accordance with the most stringent international standards for subsea applications. Compared to other applications, they set the highest requirements in regards to the functions and safety of the components and modules used. As a result, the SVA R2 is suitable for other applications both below and above water such as hydrogen production, CO₂ storage and general applications in the process industry. The first pilot tests began in the third quarter of this year.

This valve actuator is available in Southern Africa through Bosch Rexroth SA Group of Companies.