Rotork Australia has installed two CVA-1200 rotary actuators at the Koppers Inc. continuous tar distillation facility in Newcastle, New South Wales. Koppers is a provider of carbon pitch compounds and wood treatment products, with 28 facilities in Australia, Asia, Europe and the USA.

Carbon pitch is an important raw material in the production process for aluminium and for the production of steel in electric arc furnaces. Crude tar is shipped to Newcastle from steel making facilities at Whyalla (South Australia), Port Kemble (NSW) and other overseas locations.

The first CVA actuator installed is on the wharf hot oil line back-pressure valve, which keeps the pitch warm and liquid. Replacing an obsolete actuator, the CVA controls the back-pressure from a 4-20mA signal and must fail open on power failure.

The second unit is on the plant’s airline, operating a 2in butterfly valve that closes on low air pressure via a 4-20mA signal, or in the event of power failure.