Brochure

13
The Becker Below Ground Ball Valve Regulator option
is unique to GE and provides a multitude of benefits by
direct burial of the control valve. The valve actuator,
lubrication lines,and drain lines are extended above
ground while the ball valve remains below ground. The
primary advantage of Becker Below Ground Regulators
is inexpensive noise attenuation in excess of 25 dBA.
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More than 25 dBA noise attenuation
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Less ambient heat loss
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May use smaller adjacent piping diameter
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Smaller station footprint
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Most economical noise attenuation
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May eliminate need for buildings/enclosures by
utilizing the fiberglass cabinet
Figure 11 - Installation of Becker Below Ground Regulators
(Prior to Backfill) A large natural gas transmission/distribution
company based in Southern California installed Becker Below
Ground Ball Valve Regulators to achieve maximum noise attenu-
ation, minimal maintenance, and optimum cost effectiveness. The
Below Ground Regulator can provide up to 37 dBA additional noise
attenuation with minimal additional cost. Two different size Below
Ground Ball Valve Regulators are show here. 16” Bore Below Ground
Regulators are shown in background, while 30” bore Below Ground
Ball Valve Regulators are shown in foreground. The Below Ground
Ball Valve Regulators are shown during installation, prior to backfill
of the regulator station.
Figure 12 - Installation of Becker Below Ground Regulators
(After Backfill)
The customer was able to achieve up to 25 dBA noise attenua-
tion over conventional above ground control valves with minimal
costs. The RPDA actuator utilizes an extended linkage to throttle the
control valve below ground. Many GE customers have utilized the
below ground concept for many years with great success and mini-
mal maintenance. The topworks of the control valve actuators are
enclosed with Becker CAB Series Fiberglass Cabinets (green) after
backfill of regulator station. 16” Below Ground Ball Valve Regulators
are located at left, while 30” Below Ground Ball Valve Regulators
are located at right. A masonry wall has been installed at the
perimeter of the station. Upstream station isolation valves are
located in the foreground of the picture.
Below Ground Regulator Options Additional Noise Attenuation
37 dBa
0
35 dBa
25 dBa
30 dBa
20
30
40
10
6 ft Depth
5 ft Depth
4 ft Depth 3 ft Depth
Noise Attenuation (dBa)
Below Ground Depth (ft.)
Figure 10 - Below Ground Noise Attenuation Compared to Depth.
Typical below ground depths range from 3 feet to 6 feet burial.
The below ground depth is measured from centerline of pipe to
ground. Below ground usually provides from 25 dBA to 37 dBA noise
attenuation