Severn TrimGuard: Redefining Choke Valve Impact Protection

In both onshore and offshore oil and gas operations, Choke valves face some of the harshest conditions in the severe service valve industry. Exposed to high-velocity fluids carrying sand, scale, and debris, they are vulnerable to internal impact damage that can lead to catastrophic trim failure, uncontrolled flow, production downtime, and safety hazards.

The Challenge: Preventing Trim Collapse

Choke valves regulate flow and pressure within production systems but are often the weakest point due to the extreme impact forces they endure. Trim collapse can result in loss of control, damage to downstream equipment, and costly operational delays. While Choke valves are typically designed to withstand impacts between 27J and 700J, achieving this durability through material strength alone can be prohibitively expensive—especially for greenfield projects where internal protection is often underestimated.

The Solution: Severn’s TrimGuard Technology

Developed through Severn’s long-standing R&D program, TrimGuard delivers a highly engineered protective solution that prevents trim collapse and internal valve damage and has been tried and tested through global operations for over 25 years. The technology incorporates a bespoke cage system surrounding the trim to absorb high-energy impacts while maintaining efficient flow characteristics.

Two configurations meet varying operational needs:

• TrimGuard 120 – Provides robust protection from solid projectiles while maintaining maximum flow capacity, ideal for wells with moderate impact risk.
• TrimGuard 360 – Fully encapsulates the valve trim, offering ultimate protection for extreme conditions such as well start-up. Tested to withstand impacts exceeding 700J, it ensures non-collapsible performance and total valve integrity.

Engineering Excellence and Validation

Severn employed advanced Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to optimise design strength, flow efficiency, and manufacturability. In full-scale testing witnessed by a North Sea operator, TrimGuard withstood 700J impacts without visible or functional damage. The results aligned with FEA predictions, confirming the design’s accuracy and resilience.

Operational and Economic Benefits

TrimGuard enhances safety, extends valve lifespan, reduces downtime, and safeguards downstream equipment such as separators. It maintains high flow performance with minimal pressure loss, ultimately reducing the total cost of ownership.

As production environments grow harsher and pressures rise, Severn’s TrimGuard sets a new industry benchmark for Choke valve impact resistance. Tested, validated, and proven in the field for over 25 years, it ensures valves remain non-collapsible, safe, and performance-optimised—no matter the challenge.

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