Industrial valves specialist Brimis Engineering uses a safety valve testing machine from machining manufacturer Ventil to test and certify critical application safety valves, in line with the pressure equipment regulations as stipulated in the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

The machine has a Ventil proprietary software that allows for the continuous monitoring of the latest standards and the recording of digital readings and verifications against international test standards, as it stores the data in the cloud.

Additionally, the machine can conduct tests using gas and liquid. It can also test shut-off, or isolating, valves using its unique bubble laser counter, which is an automatic process that eliminates human error.

Brimis Engineering MD Andile Nqandela and technical director Moeketsi Mpotu explain that the company has also acquired mobile testing machines to test valves on site, decreasing transport costs while improving turnaround times for customers.

“We have a team of professional mechanical engineers who have a wealth of critical maintenance experience.”

Further, the Brimis Engineering workshop is ISO 900-certified.

“We have quality-management procedures – which guide the refurbishment of various valves – based on sound engineering experience and international standards.”

For every project, a quality control plan is drafted, which ensures that every valve component is refurbished according to the relevant standards. Such plans have to be accepted by the customer before work on a project can begin, they explain.

“Brimis Engineering has the biggest collection of mobile valve test benches in Mpumalanga, which positions us as a leader in the critical-valve testing market.”

Project Applications

The company concluded a contract with a major South African pulp company in the Mpumalanga Lowveld area in January this year.

The project is planned to start at the beginning of June, whereby an estimated 120 high-pressure and -temperature valves will be refurbished, with some valves requiring new metal seats and weld repairs.

Brimis Engineering is also ISO 3834- certified, enabling the company’s welding process to be conducted according to international standards, which will be used to repair the valve seats.

Moreover, the company has acquired “a state-of-the-art” Deloro Plasma transfer arch welding machine, which will allow for the hard facing of the critical valves seats to be welded to a precise dilution thickness, say Nqandela and Mpotu.

“We aim to expand to the petrochemicals sector and overseas, hoping to offer innovations for mobile repair and refurbishment of critical valves in the near future,” they conclude.