Valve Actuators
Image Credit: Clark Solutions | Assured Automation | Hayward Flow Control
Valve actuators mount on valves and, in response to a signal, move a valve to a desired position using an outside power source. Selecting the correct valve actuator will increase uptime, reduce maintenance costs, and increase plant safety. Most valve actuators come permanently lubricated and will operate best with instrument-quality air. They can also be packaged with position...
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Q & A on Valve Actuators
We asked our users for their input on Valve Actuators. Here are the results of 172 users familiar with Valve Actuators.
Who Took Our Poll? | Design Trends | Applications and Use | Features | Buying Advice |Design TrendsTop
What new technologies are influencing valve actuator design?
25 answers
We are always re modify our Technology to provide a good service for our client and make our engineer easier to work......usually the Halliburton or Schlumberger as per our competitor equipment we use for comparison.
~Fredericus Chandra Prihartadi, Technical Support andLogistic of Tucan Pumpco Services Indonesia, Jakarta Selatan, Indonesia
Control systems, exotic material for example ceramics for high cycling and arduous environmental conditions.
~Engineering, Consulting, Morwell, Australia
Contactless position sensor
220VAC single phase motor supply
4-20mA set point and feedback signal
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~Ferdinand C, Instrumentation and Automation Maintenance Engineer, City of San Fernando, Philippines
From your perspective, which companies are creating the most innovative valve actuators?
27 answers
The majority of actuators use the age old proven technologies of rack and pinion, scotch yoke, diaphragm, electric or pneumatic etc. The area of most development is in the controls area. the use of wireless and bluetooth integration into system control and modular positioners. Limit switch solenoid valve units have introduced compact and low maintenance actuation packages. The exciting players I see in my field would be Metso with their Stonel control units.
~Engineering, Consulting, Morwell, Australia
Metso Automation in pneumatic with Switch Guard / Rotork in electric.
~JEAN PIERRE R, Marketing/Sales, VITROLLES, FRANCE
Rotork, Bettis (Emerson), & Limitorque
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~Thomas D, Automation Engineer, Houston, TX
Applications and UseTop
What are some of the applications you have used valve actuators for?
43 answers
I have used steam valve actuators controlled by transducers and position controls. I have used water pressure valve actuator controls, and air pressure reducers’ valve control actuators. About the valve actuators, I am familiar with electrical, pneumatic controls, installation and maintenance.
~Maintenance/Facilities Management, Athens, Greece
HVAC reheat and cooling applications, isolation valves ie butterfly valves, invented the characterized ball valve technology, integrated actuators and valve bodies, was general manager of the largest actuator and valve manufacturer in the HVAC industries.
~General Corporate Mgmt, Tucson, AZ
Sub-sea hydraulic, low pressure pneumatic, electric (3 phase, 1 phase, & DC), pipeline, industrial, HVAC, chemical processing, line-break, high-pressure direct gas, off-shore and on-shore production.
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~Thomas D, Automation Engineer, Houston, TX
Please share with us any “non-standard” applications that valve actuators have been used for.
10 answers
Yes, the non standard is that the improper IP and anti corrosion versions have bee used in the high salinity condition, for example in the sub marine type salt water condition the actuator should have been aluminium free metal where the oxidation takes place ( aluminum oxide) shall slowly develop its oxidation towards the valve parts and so on...
~Syed Moheed Ali, Electriacl, Juabil, KSA
We have added them to large slide gate valves to get quicker accurate airflow control. We have added them to dampers, etc.
~Instrument & Electrical Maintenance Tech., Belpre, OH
Inside "hot" room in nuclear testing lab. Variable pitch turbine blowers for large HVAC installation.
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~Thomas D, Automation Engineer, Houston, TX
Do you know of any disastrous mistakes that occurred due to the incorrect usage of valve actuators?
13 answers
Too large of an actuator broke a ball valve stem (not a disaster, but had potential). A 6" 1/4 turn ball valve, a bracket holding actuator to valve broke (not a disaster, but had the potential).
~Instrument & Electrical Maintenance Tech., Belpre, OH
Butadiene application because of polymerization the torque of valves increase dramatically.
~JEAN PIERRE R, Marketing/Sales, VITROLLES, FRANCE
Installation of the actuator on the butterfly valve In shipside valves.
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~Kari Laiho, Technical Support, Naantali, Finland
FeaturesTop
What would your design or feature "wish list" be for this product?
19 answers
Easier set up for new installation. User friendly program menus, easy to understand terminology in set up menus, etc.
~Instrument & Electrical Maintenance Tech., Belpre, OH
High torque, compact built and "install and forget" (less maintenance).
~Ferdinand C, Instrumentation and Automation Maintenance Engineer, City of San Fernando, Philippines
For any new product that will be controlled by high miniature voltage.
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~Syed Moheed Ali, Electriacl, Juabil, KSA
Buying AdviceTop
Do you have any advice for people relative to buying or using valve actuators?
17 answers
Ensure the interface of the Mechanical and electrical, otherwise ensure that it can meet the technical requirements(output torque, speed,signal, the size of the actuators).
~Jun Sun, Engineer, Changzhou, China
Most students who are graduating from our program are going to work in relatively valve plant environment. I meant instrumentation engineering programming.
~Hassan S, Instructor, Winnipeg, Canada
Don't buy genuine from a franchised machinery dealer, if you can find a specialist supplier round the corner.
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~Marty Vaher, Earth Repair Consultant, Willunga, Australia
Is there any advice you want to share with users to help them avoid common errors in selection or usage of valve actuators?
18 answers
Some diaphragm style actuators with a long stroke are not suitable for high cycle service. The same for Scotch Yoke style actuators. Influence of the environment can be creating errors.
~Arco Noordam, Engineer, Pernis, Netherlands
Make sure it is not too big or too small for the valve size. Ensure correct torque for application. Ensure the stroke speed is correct & the stroke length is correct.
~Instrument & Electrical Maintenance Tech., Belpre, OH
Actuator torque should be high enough to turn on the valve from closed position no matter the differential pressure.
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~Engineer, Port harcourt, Nigeria
