Valmet's Large Inventory of Tube Shield Materials Means Quick Turnaround on Custom Orders

Charlotte, NC - Valmet (formerly Metso Power), a front-runner in fluidized bed combustion systems, is also the global leader in tube shield manufacturing. Because the company stocks a large inventory in the various grades and gauges of materials for producing shields, Valmet can make tube shields to order, manufactured to exacting specifications, and ship them within 24 hours. Often, delivery is also within a 24-hour time frame. Customers in waste-to-energy power plants, among others, depend on the shields for providing a protective layer against the corrosion and abrasion that can shorten the life of boiler tubes. The tube shields minimize tube failure and in this way, reduce the number of emergency outages that contribute to cost overruns.

"Scheduled outages are what everyone would prefer," said Karen Yost, Valmet tube shield product manager. "When these plants go down, everything stops, and they are on a really strict timetable to get their repairs done and get back up and running. That's where our quick turnaround is a big money-saver." Every tube shield is made to order, from stainless steel or carbon, in a wide variety of gauges. A technical staff is available to answer questions and help customers choose the most appropriate design for the application.

Among Valmet's custom ordered designs is the 370° shield, available in straight lengths, that solves the need for two overlapping shields. It can be manufactured in lengths up to 72 inches and for tube diameters from 1 1/4 inch to 2 3/4 inches. Material gauge can be from 10 to 14. This and other styles of tube shields are available from stainless steel (304, 316, 309, 310, or 253 series) carbon or Inconel.

Others are:

• Custom straight shields, available with angles of wrap between 45° and 240° and ends that are flared or straight for tube diameters from 1/2 inch to 10 inches
• Custom curved shields (with a 180° angle) that can be manufactured to cover both the outside and inside curves of the tubing for tube diameters from 1 inch to 3 1/2 inches
• A custom economizer shield to provide an extra layer of protection for finned tubes; the angle, fin height, and tube's outer dimension can all be called out in a custom design.

Custom clips to attach the shields are available in three styles (butt, wrap, and overlap) and in the same wide range of options in material and gauge. Clips accommodate tube dimensions from ½ inch to 10 inches. Like the shields, the clips can be made from stainless steel (304, 316, 309, 310, or 253 series) carbon or Inconel in gauges from 24 to 3/8 inch. The tube shields and clips are manufactured using weldable materials that are heat- and corrosion-resistant.

Valmet's Fairmont, WV Service Center is the company's tube shield headquarters. The Service Center will turn around orders on a rapid basis, put the parts through rigorous quality control, and get the tube shields into customers' hands fast, so as to avoid a costly outage. From nearby Pittsburgh International Airport the facility expedites shipments to the West Coast and is within eight hours of most of the East Coast.

About Valmet
Valmet is a global supplier of technology and services to customers in the process industries, including mining, construction, pulp and paper, power, and oil & gas. Our 30,000 professionals based in over 50 countries deliver sustainability and profitability to customers worldwide. Expect results. For information on tube shields and all Valmet products, please visit www.metso.com.

For inquiries, please call 1-877-311-0101.

Valmet
3440 Toringdon Way
Charlotte, NC, 28277
USA