Provided is a flow rate control apparatus capable of being used continuously when the apparatus is used in equipment that operates continuously, and a flow rate control method for the flow rate control apparatus. A flow rate of a fluid is controlled via any one of control valves disposed in branch passages, respectively. When replacement of the one control valve is determined to be necessary on the basis of a signal outputted from a monitoring portion of the one control valve, the one control valve performing flow rate control is closed, and another control valve disposed in another one of the branch passages, is opened, to perform flow rate control with a flow rate equivalent to that before the replacement. Furthermore, on-off valves disposed at upstream and downstream sides of the closed control valve are closed.

Provided is a flow rate control apparatus capable of being used continuously when the apparatus is used in equipment that operates continuously, and a flow rate control method for the flow rate control apparatus. A flow rate of a fluid is controlled via any one of control valves disposed in branch passages, respectively. When replacement of the one control valve is determined to be necessary on the basis of a signal outputted from a monitoring portion of the one control valve, the one control valve performing flow rate control is closed, and another control valve disposed in another one of the branch passages, is opened, to perform flow rate control with a flow rate equivalent to that before the replacement. Furthermore, on-off valves disposed at upstream and downstream sides of the closed control valve are closed.

An in situ retrofit assembly for a top entry valve includes an annular conduit (100) configured to conform with a seat support (106) at the distal end (207) and a valve body extension (208) with an interior annular region (301). The valve body extension (208) comprises an inlet port (209) fluidically connected to the annular area (301). A gland packing push plate (211) is configured to allow the annular conduit (100) to pass through thereby forming an outlet port (212). This allows the removal of a portion of the fluid from the cold box for downstream processing or manipulation as desired.

An in situ retrofit assembly for a top entry valve includes an annular conduit (100) configured to conform with a seat support (106) at the distal end (207) and a valve body extension (208) with an interior annular region (301). The valve body extension (208) comprises an inlet port (209) fluidically connected to the annular area (301). A gland packing push plate (211) is configured to allow the annular conduit (100) to pass through thereby forming an outlet port (212). This allows the removal of a portion of the fluid from the cold box for downstream processing or manipulation as desired.

A method for isolating a water valve for repair or replacement includes closing the valve and thereafter replacing an outlet pipe with an adapter pipe. An expandable plug is used to seal the adapter pipe, after which the valve is opened and an air tube having a bladder on an end thereof is inserted through the valve and expanded to seal the inlet pipe. Thereafter, the stem assembly of the valve or the entire valve itself may be removed for simple replacement of the sealing washer or total replacement of the valve. The apparatus for practicing the method, and including the expandable plug, inflatable bladder, and necessary tubing, plug actuator, and air valve are presented.

A method for isolating a water valve for repair or replacement includes closing the valve and thereafter replacing an outlet pipe with an adapter pipe. An expandable plug is used to seal the adapter pipe, after which the valve is opened and an air tube having a bladder on an end thereof is inserted through the valve and expanded to seal the inlet pipe. Thereafter, the stem assembly of the valve or the entire valve itself may be removed for simple replacement of the sealing washer or total replacement of the valve. The apparatus for practicing the method, and including the expandable plug, inflatable bladder, and necessary tubing, plug actuator, and air valve are presented.

A manifold for water dispensing units includes a manifold body having: one or more inlet paths, an outlet path, a collecting chamber delimited by a lateral wall and communicating with the inlet paths and with the outlet path. The collecting chamber is configured to receive a cartridge body for the regulation of flow. A safety group is associated to the manifold body and includes: a flange removably attached to the manifold body, a safety shutter provided with through inlet gaps and with shut-off surfaces and a control body for the movement of the safety shutter: from a first position in which the through inlet gaps communicate with the inlet paths and contrast means prevent the separation of the control body and the cartridge body from the manifold body, to a second position in which the shut-off surfaces sealingly close the inlet paths. A sliding surface allows the separation of the control body and the cartridge body from the manifold body, and vice versa.

An apparatus includes a telescopic double tubular member accommodated in an outer case that is mounted so as to surround an outer circumferential surface of a water pipe, and placed between a pair of cut faces. The double tubular member includes an anti-corrosion member that faces the pair of cut faces and a core member, and is configured such that the anti-corrosion member is radially expanded by the core member, so as to be pressed against the pair of cut faces. The anti-corrosion member has a through hole that communicates with the water pipe, and a flange positioned above the through hole and extending radially outward. The flange has an abutment surface that abuts an outer circumferential surface of the water pipe, and this abutment surface is curved along the outer circumferential surface of the water pipe.

An apparatus includes a telescopic double tubular member accommodated in an outer case that is mounted so as to surround an outer circumferential surface of a water pipe, and placed between a pair of cut faces. The double tubular member includes an anti-corrosion member that faces the pair of cut faces and a core member, and is configured such that the anti-corrosion member is radially expanded by the core member, so as to be pressed against the pair of cut faces. The anti-corrosion member has a through hole that communicates with the water pipe, and a flange positioned above the through hole and extending radially outward. The flange has an abutment surface that abuts an outer circumferential surface of the water pipe, and this abutment surface is curved along the outer circumferential surface of the water pipe.

A pipeline control unit that joins pipeline conduits and has a housing with an interior compartment for receiving a gate. A valve servicing assembly or pressure plates can be installed onto the housing to form a fluid tight structure to allow removal and replacement of a retained gate without depressurizing a pipeline system. Strongbacks attached to the housing can compress lateral walls of the housing to secure a gate in the interior compartment, and removal of such compression allows removal of the gate while the pipeline is pressurized.