Mokveld’s control and safety valves keep the world’s oil and gas, hydropower, and water flowing. Its tailor-made, advanced engineered valve systems regulate the production, transmission, and processing of these resources in the most demanding environments, from desert to offshore and mountains to drinking water infrastructure.
Founded in Gouda, The Netherlands, in 1922, as a machine repair shop, the company soon moved on to manufacturing products (starting with waffle irons for the famous Gouda syrup waffles) and designed its first valve in the 1950s. Mokveld has since taken a leading role in developing sustainable products for the hydrocarbon and hydropower markets.
“By completely avoiding emissions, we achieve our ultimate goal: no emissions to the environment,” says Koen Zwart, Mokveld Team Lead, Project Engineering.
Until we have transitioned to clean energy, the power produced from hydrocarbon resources needs to be as environmentally friendly as possible.
To this end, Mokveld’s Zero emission control valve offers gas producers an innovative new tool to comply with sustainable regulatory requirements. A world first, the unique design of the valve eliminates the need for dynamic seals. Among other benefits, this prevents emissions such as methane from releasing into the atmosphere over the lifetime of the valve.
“A long life cycle is a key concept of Mokveld. Because we have reliable products, they don’t need much repair or replacement,” says Enid Quartier, Mokveld Project Engineer.
Mokveld manufactures the valves in its factories in Gouda and Malaysia and supplies to customers around the world. Across Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, Asia, and North and South America, more than 300 skilled staff offer services and support.
Mokveld’s HIPPS (High Integrity Pressure Protection System) – a robust, sophisticated valve system that can isolate a source of high pressure – enables hydrocarbon producers to end gas flaring by shutting off the source of high pressure, rather than diverting gas to flares. This accords with a World Bank initiative that commits governments, oil and gas companies, and multilateral organizations to prevent the polluting and wasteful effect of gas flaring by ending their routine use by 2030.
“The HIPPS is sustainable because it protects the pipeline, eliminating the need for a flare,” says Quartier.
Similarly, while hydropower is itself a source of sustainable green energy, Mokveld’s hydropower control valves reduce the cavitation in the valve to zero, enabling users to save on costly secondary systems they would normally use for that purpose. This further helps the hydropower producers to meet their net zero goals.
Mokveld believes it can meet the world’s demand for energy in a sustainable manner, as outlined in SDG 7, which aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
The company’s valves are already playing important roles in sustainability projects, touching on Sustainable Development Goals around infrastructure (SDG 9), clean water (SDG 6), and climate action (SDG 13). In Brazil, for example, Mokveld valves have helped to achieve water security in a drought-prone region.
Mokveld’s low-power electric actuated valves are even ideal for installation in remote solar-powered locations.
In the event of sudden or potentially dangerous pressure, a Mokveld HIPPS valve – which can measure up to 48in (1.2 meters) in diameter – achieves full closure in less than two seconds.