Ensuring Reliability Through Preventive Maintenance – The Somas Way

Is your ship meeting the ECA regulations? In today’s demanding engine environments, exhaust gas after-treatment systems such as EGR and SCR play a critical role in meeting increasingly strict NOx emission regulations. At the heart of these systems are the valves – and that’s where Somas comes in.

With over 80 years of experience in valve engineering, Somas offers solutions that combine innovation, sustainability, and reliability. Our exhaust gas valves are designed to withstand extreme conditions, including large temperature fluctuations, soot and corrosive substances. But, even the most robust components require care.

Why preventive maintenance matters

Preventive maintenance is not just a recommendation – it’s a necessity. Regular service ensures that your valves and actuators operate at peak efficiency, minimizing downtime and avoiding costly repairs. It also extends the lifecycle of your equipment, contributing to both operational
continuity and environmental responsibility.

Somas sealing and repair kits are dev eloped in close collaboration between our engineering and service teams. Each kit is optimized for specific service intervals and includes all components that may be subject to wear. This ensures that every maintenance stop is efficient, predictable, and effective.

Between service intervals – simple but important checks

During operation, valves may be exposed to heavy vibrations, especially in marine applications. To prevent leakage from the stuffing box, it’s important to regularly check and re-tighten the gland nuts with the correct torque. Additionally, we also recommend to regularly test-run the valves which are not in constant use, in order to prevent soot build-up. We recomend you to check the positioners and other functions on the valve during the testrun so you see that the whole system is functioning.

Designed for professsional serviceability

Somas valves are engineered to support safe and efficient maintenance procedures. The design allows for components such as stuffing boxes and bearings to be replaced without the need to remove the valve.

However, to ensure optimal performance and compliance with our high standards, we strongly recommend that all service is carried out by certified service engineers. Their expertise ensures that every step is performed correctly, using original Somas parts, and in accordance with our recommended maintenance schedule

Certified service – wherever you are

Somas works with a network of certified service partners to ensure that maintenance is carried out according to our high standards. In marine applications, we collaborate with partners such as Accelleron, whose global service organization helps provide professional and efficient service of Somas valves – wherever your vessel operates.

What happens if you don’t mainenance your valve?

Neglecting maintenance can lead to serious consequences:

• External leakage from the stuffing box may release exhaust gases into the engine room, making it unsafe to operate the system.
• Worn bearings can cause sluggish valve movement, reducing system responsiveness and functionality.
• Damaged seats may result in internal leakage, compromising system performance or causing complete failure.
• Unmaintained actuators can lose strength and precision, leading to poor valve control and reduced system efficiency.

In all cases, the result may be that the system cannot be operated – exposing shipowners to high fines, increased operating costs, and unplanned downtime.

Let´ s keep your process running smoothly

Whether you operate in marine, energy, or industrial applications, Somas is here to support you. Contact us to learn more about our maintenance solutions and how we can help you ensure reliability, efficiency, and compliance – today and tomorrow.

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