The ILB24-AF from Val Controls A/S is an intelligent line break controller designed for continuous pipeline pressure monitoring and automatic emergency shutdown in hazardous-area applications. Housed in an SS316L flameproof enclosure, it detects abnormal pressure drops indicative of a pipeline rupture and triggers immediate valve closure to prevent product release.

How does the ILB24-AF detect a pipeline rupture?

The controller continuously monitors pipeline pressure via a 4–20 mA pressure transmitter input. When pressure falls outside configured thresholds — indicating a potential line break or rupture — the ILB24-AF activates its solenoid drivers to close upstream and downstream valves, isolating the affected pipeline section. All events are logged to internal memory with a real-time clock timestamp for post-incident analysis. The device also supports Partial Stroke Testing (PST), Full Stroke Testing (FST), and Emergency Shutdown (ESD) detection routines.

What hazardous area certifications does the ILB24-AF hold?

Certified to ATEX II 2 GD Ex d IIC T4–T6 (TÜV 12 ATEX 103365 X), IECEx, UKCA, ECAS-Ex, and EAC Ex, the ILB24-AF is suitable for installation in Zone 1 and Zone 2 gas/vapor atmospheres and Zone 21 and Zone 22 dust atmospheres. The flameproof Ex d enclosure is machined from SS316L stainless steel, providing excellent corrosion resistance against sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, and alkaline chlorides — critical for offshore platforms, chemical plants, and refinery pipelines.

How does the ILB24-AF communicate with plant control systems?

The ILB24-AF offers Modbus RTU (RS-485) for integration with DCS, SCADA, and plant-wide safety systems, plus HART v.7 communication on the transmitter loop for configuration and diagnostics. Local configuration is via the front-panel graphical display and control buttons, or through the USB and Bluetooth V2.0 interfaces using ValConnect software. The companion Val Controls Diagnostic Centre (VCDC) software provides centralized data logging, event analysis, and health monitoring across multiple devices.