Double Block & Bleed Saver

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Deployed by 14 companies

Safe working behind leaking valves by installing a vacuum lock

Page last modified
July 28 2025

The working principle of the DBB-SAVER is based on active evacuation of the bleed volume, By creating, maintaining, controlling and monitoring of a so called "vacuum-lock" between two sealing surfaces, any leakage towards the safe work area becomes physically inpossible.

The DBB Saver can be deployed on systems containing hazardous media such as:

  • Gasses, e.g. flammable and/or toxic, like natural gas, H2S, hydrogen, etc.
  • Liquids becoming gaseous under atmospheric conditions, e.g. LNG, LPG, etc.
  • Regular liquids like crude oil, naphta, etc.

The bleed volume can either be the section between:

  1. Both block valves in a classical DB&B configuration, or
  2. Both seats in the body of a single valve, e.g. most ball and gate valves, or
  3. Any other combination of two valves in series, e.g. a block valve and (under conditions) a control valve without traditional isolation credits

The vacuum creates a negative pressure difference towards the safe work area and reverses the flow direction over the second barrier. The guaranteed continuous presence of the vacuum in the bleed section makes leakage to the safe working area physically impossible.

Case Study Valvetight

 

Pros & Limitations
1
Preventing plant/platform/pipeline shutdowns while providing safe process isolation and maximum safety for workers, preventing boundary isolation increase
1
Minimum of venting Green House Gasses as no increase of boundary isolations are required
1
Minimizing cost - no risk of delays due to leaking valves, no valve replacements required
1
Safety increased, no sealants, no risk on sudden gas blow-through
1
No grease or sealant necessary, means no collection of dirt on sealing surfaces and damages, no sealant in the pipeline and the valve stays fit for purpose afterwards
1
Certified and fully suitable for hydrogen applications
1
No dependency on last line of defense PPE
1
Proven track record, many hundreds of applications with many Oil & Gas majors, Gas Pipeline Operators, LNG Terminals and Refineries
0
Heavy leaking valves might be left unrepaired
Specification
Title Description
Theme/Discipline
Emission ReductionPipelinesRepairTurnarounds
Core Tech
Hardware Tool
Areas of Application
Gasses | Liquified Gasses | Liquids | Hydrogen | On- & Offshore
EX certified
IECEx / ATEX II 2G Ex h IIB+H2 T4 Gb certification available (zone 1 environment). For North America Class 1 Div 1 available
Capabilities
Fully automated design | Fail safe functionality | Local visual and audible alarm | Remote wireless online alarm functionality
Capacity
Three different capacity models in standard line-up. Special configurations or capacities on request
Certifications / licences
CE |PED | ATEX | IECEx | EMC |HAZLOC Class 1 Div 1 | ASME VIII | B31.3 | AD2000 | DNV 2.7-1
Compliance
International guidelines on request (e.g. Brazil, China, etc.)
Input
Compressed nitrogen or air
Pipe diameter / class
No limitation to pipeline diameter or pressure class of systems service by DBB-SAVER. "One size fits all"
Power
Both 110V/60Hz and 230V/50Hz
Pressure class
No limitations on pressure class of systems serviced by DBB-SAVER

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Deployed in:
2019
5 years ago
Deployed in:
2019
6 years ago
Deployed in:
2018
6 years ago
Deployed in:
2017
6 years ago
Technology Readiness Level

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[9/9]

Development Technology demonstration Mature / Proven
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Founded in 2014, Valvetight offers an unique solution to a widespread problem of passing valves. Instead of repairing valves or greasing/sealing them, Valvetight supplies a tool that creates a vacuum-lock, physically making any passing over the leaking valve(s0 impossible, preventing a flow of medium to the safe working area. Valvetight offers the full range of services supplying the equipment and full operational support.  

Country of Headquarters
Netherlands

Relative Business Impact

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