Hydraulic actuation is the preferred choice for turbine fuel controls when a large amount of force is required to close or open valves. The need for hydraulic expertise presents itself clearly as the technology for creating alternative fuels such as coal gasification, or IGCC, enters the mainstream.

For over 50 years customers like GE Energy, Solar Turbines, and Pratt & Whitney have relied on Young & Franklin's hydraulic expertise to control their turbines. The quality and reliability built into every Y & F actuator keeps them coming back for more.

Young & Franklin works closely with turbine manufactures and end users to provide the best solution for hydraulic control. Y & F engineers provide on-site consultation to customize the right fuel valves for refurbishing a very old turbine system or for designing a new system.

Recently Nuovo Pignone relied on Young & Franklin's hydraulic expertise to optimize their control and shutoff valve usage for their Sarlux IGCC refinery in Sarroc, Italy. And our 8577 Series actuators, with patented high-torque acceleration, provided Sarlux with the opening and closing forces required for processing the low-Btu gas.

Young & Franklin 2nd Aux Stop Valve undergoing high temperature testing at the Y&F facility. The test proved that the valve could withstand temperatures well over 625°F.

Advantages of using Hydraulic technology
Several advantages to using conventional hydraulic technology instead of electric control are outlined below:

• High force actuation
• Ability to withstand higher temperatures
• Adaptable to existing system hydraulics
• Customizable, time-tested technology
• Electric technology not yet able to handle larger turbine valves

Applications
Young & Franklin hydraulic actuators can be found all over the world from the oldest of GE Frame turbines to the latest in aeroderivative models. With a supply pressure of 1200 - 1700 psig, our actuators control valves ranging in size from 1 inch to 16 inches with torques up to 55,000 in-lbs and forces in excess of 25,000 lbs.

We can accessorize our actuators with low- or high-pressure (hydraulic or electric) trip relay designs, as well as our own line of linear or rotary variable transducers (LVDTs or RVDTs) to monitor position feedback.