December 3, 2013 - Flowserve will supply 307 Limitorque MX10 actuators to support the Kaxu project that is building the world's largest solar power plant in Pofadder, Northern Cape, South Africa. The Kaxu project will deliver the first parabolic trough solar plant in South Africa. Once operational, the plant will utilize a heat transfer fluid and molten salt energy storage design that can produce power for up to three hours after sunset.
The Limitorque MX actuator features a redundant absolute encoder that doesn't require battery back-up and includes a Built-In Self-Test (B.I.S.T.) design for self-diagnosis.
The Safety Integrity Level 3 capable certified MX is equipped with LimiGard circuitry, which safeguards the actuator from spurious electro-magnetic interference. Finally, the MX torque sensing feature can support torque output up to 2304 Nm (1700 ft- lbs) and is available in a wide variety of configurations. "The MX actuator continues the rich Limitorque legacy of innovative and reliable electric actuation solutions for the most severe and critical applications," said Lynn White, general manager, Flowserve Limitorque.
"Since most concentrated solar plants use molten salt that can reach temperatures of 350°C (662°F) as a result of solar heat, the use of the MX actuator - previously in Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) applications - ensures it can exceed this 100MW solar plant's most challenging conditions." Earlier this year, Flowserve won the contract for all the project's critical pump services, including the boiler feeds, condensates, main and auxiliary heat transfer fluids, and molten salt. The contract also includes equipping the pumps with Flowserve mechanical seals.
About Flowserve:
Flowserve Corp. is one of the world's leading providers of fluid motion and control products and services. Operating in more than 50 countries, the company produces engineered and industrial pumps, seals and valves as well as a range of related flow management services.
