Pole position
Although control valve, actuator and positioner technologies develop only relatively slowly, there have been advances that offer practical, diagnostic and cost/benefit issues. Brian Tinham reports
Power grab
Managing your factory's energy usage effectively can pay real dividends in terms of money (and planet) saved, and reputation (and comfort) enhanced, says Ian Vallely
Pumping up improvements
While designs of pumps and valves for the process and related industries had barely altered in decades, changing requirements have recently resulted in some useful improvements. First, the sustained high cost of energy has led to greater focus on efficiencies in pumps and pump systems. Second, innovative solutions have been found to deal with pumping even very difficult suspensions and slurries. Third, smarter module designs are making valve configuration and maintenance easier and quicker. And fourth, better materials are significantly extending the lives of some valves and seals.
Pumps & Valves - Process Machinery - a troubleshooting guide
Every piece of process machinery is purchased to be installed, operated, and play its part in making a profit for the plant operator. When a problem arises with a piece of equipment that causes concern to the operator and starts to affect safety or profitability, the techniques of effective troubleshooting have to be employed. The results of effective troubleshooting are to understand the problem that has caused concern, make any corrective modifications, and return the equipment to a safe and effective profitable condition.
Pumps and Valves - Benefits flow from new technology
The combination of innovative technology with radical changes in manufacturing processes is a key factor in improving the total cost of ownership of pumps and valves. Cost-conscious buyers are looking for solutions that are not overengineered, fit for purpose, efficient and able to deliver operational, as well as capital cost, savings.
Open & shut case
You'll have heard it said more times than you probably care to remember that variance is the bane of manufacturing - and the same is true in the process sector, the utilities and so on. Why? Because it leads to all sorts of problems, ranging from quality issues to yield reductions, rework, excessive energy use, maintenance loading? The list goes on.
Opening up on control valves
There are three key steps to ensuring that control valves don't cause process plant instability. Mark Perry explains the problems and their solutions
Instruments for control
Help is at hand for plant engineers facing up to the challenge of handling instrumentation and control. Brian Tinham reports on recent developments
Taking control
Control valves – and specifically their actuator and positioner systems – went digital years ago. However, as further developments improve their power, much of industry is missing some tricks, writes Brian Tinham
Testing safety valves
Late in 2006, an RSA (Royal & SunAlliance) engineer surveyor was involved in the testing of safety valves at a coal-fired power station on a boiler return service. After testing was complete, a major failure occurred on the plant. The engineer surveyor, the station engineer and an engineer from the safety valve test company were enveloped in a huge steam cloud. Unfortunately, the engineer surveyor and safety valve test engineer were seriously hurt.