Rotork recently installed and commissioned CVL linear control valve actuators at Didcot B Power Station, which supplies electricity to the National Grid. 

Rotork’s CVL1500 and CVL5000 actuators now control the supply of the spray water that is used as an emergency quench in the condensers should the steam turbine trip. The CVL actuator installation was part of a project to improve equipment reliability and obsolescence of older plant.

RWE’s choice of Rotork for this essential part of the smooth running of the turbines at Didcot B Power Station shows the importance of effective, reliable actuation technology.

Didcot B is an efficient combined cycle gas power plant with a net capacity of 1,440 MW approx. power to meet the demands of one million households.

The linear offering of Rotork’s CVA electrically powered process control range, CVL actuators use a 1-phase or DC power supply to provide highly accurate and responsive continuous modulation of control valves. The CVL units replaced existing hydraulic actuators and now provide improved reliability and reduced maintenance costs. 

The CVL ensures extremely accurate flow control with resolution figures better than 0.1% and repeatable positional control using a 4-20 mA signal. It features a thrust range of 890 N to 22,241 N (200 to 5,000 lbf). With an on-board data logger included as standard, the CVL is Bluetooth® compatible for local setup, control and diagnostics. A CVL actuator is perfectly suited for this particular role; they are certified as watertight to IP68 and the terminal compartment is completely sealed, vastly reducing the chance of water ingress.

Several of Rotork’s guiding principles helped secure this order; prompt quotation, fast delivery and full, accurate quotes that perfectly met RWE’s specification needs, in conjunction with the accurate and reliable operation offered by CVL linear actuators.