Freddie Gines - IMI Z&J - Houston TX
IMI-Z&J has a technology that will improve safety and operational excellence of existing and new catalytic cracking units by providing reliable isolation of the reactor vessel from the fractionator column. This can be done without the need of putting personnel in the line of fire during one of the most dangerous operations required to shut the unit down. Installing this valve reduces the overall time of fractionator isolation from hours to minutes. The Overhead Vapor Isolation is a custom designed valve providing this capability without increasing the complexity of unit operations through several key design features.
- Firstly, the valve is of double disc design and provides double block and purge functionality.
- Secondly, the clear throughway when the valve is in the open position provides no pressure drop.
- Thirdly, the effects of line loading and temperature gradients are addressed through free floating discs and a flexible bellow element in the throughway that allows the valve to seal even under the most severe conditions.
- Lastly, this valve is designed to be installed in a severe coking service and will reliably stroke during the run with a push of a button.
Safety is at the top of our list at IMI-Z&J and all considerations have been made to prevent accidental stroking through the use of lockout pins, interlocks or any other safety item requested by our clients.
Freddie Gines is the Applications Manager – North America for IMI Critical Engineering based in Houston, TX with Zimmermann & Jansen, Inc. (IMI Z&J). He began working with IMI Z&J as a Project Engineer also holding the roles of Project Manager and Regional Sales Manager. While away from the office Freddie enjoys completing various woodworking projects and volunteering. Most importantly, he loves spending time with his wife and two young children.