Valve Technology News

The National institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has finalized security specifications for industrial control systems used by pipeline operators, power producers, and other critical infrastructure. The newest version is meant to protect the control systems that use SCADA, PLCs, and other information technology to monitor and control devices such as pipeline valves. Traditionally, most control systems were proprietary, stand-alone systems. Today, they use widely available software, Internet-enabled devices, and other nonproprietary products that offer enhanced capabilities, but are more vulnerable to threats.

The DFT Excalibur® Silent Check Valve is a spring-assisted, nozzle style, non-slam, center guided, in-line, check valve that provides reliable, low maintenance service for a wide range of fluids and pressure/temperature combinations. Available in a wide range of sizes, pressure ratings, and a variety of metals to meet most check valve requirements.

The Isogate® MP series pinch valves: designed for highly abrasive flow control applications in liquid solids slurry and gas-solids pneumatic conveying services. With their full bore design, flexible pinch sleeve construction, and dual action center pinch closing mechanism, they are suitable for full flow, modulating flow, and drip tight closure applications.

Flowserve offers the Valbart Trunnion-mounted Control Ball Valve (TMCBV), which is designed to reduce noise, control cavitation, and provide increased reliability. The TMCBV is designed to reduce the total cost of ownership for severe service applications. It combines Flowserve's proven trunnion-mounted ball valve design with its high-performance noise and cavitation-reducing trims.

The Lunar Ball Segment Valve has a full-bore opening where material cannot build up, accumulate, or be captured within the valve body. The valve seal material can be Perfluoroelastomer or Viton, and it is designed to inflate after the valve segment is closed.

Fieldbus technology and device management software eases the integration of motor operated valves (MOV), also known as an electric actuator, into a digital plant architecture, says Control Engineering Asia. Standard digital bus technology eliminates hardwiring, reducing overall system I/O count. Electronic device description language facilitates both set up and troubleshooting. Motors are controlled through an internal contact or variable speed drive. [A short registration may be required to access originating article.]

Fieldbus valve manifold popularity stems, in part, because of its ability to integrate communication interfaces to pneumatic valve manifolds with I/O capabilities, says this white paper available from Control Global. Before investing in fieldbus valve manifolds, however, consider five crucial factors including manifold commissioning; I/O distribution options; modular vs conventional manifolds; diagnostic capabilities; and recovery of critical information and parameters. [A short registration may be required to access originating article.]

Reducing energy cost is a universal goal, and Sustainable Plant details several solutions to this endeavor including using wireless sonic leak detectors to monitor remote flare relief valves. The detectors alarm if vibrations caused by escaping steam occur in the valve flange. The extent of vibration correlates to the amount of steam loss.

Using active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) presents manufacturing challenges, as well as increased exposure risks. One company's solution was high-containment manufacturing including a coating tablet line that facilitated charging APIs through a containment valve to the coater pan under negative pressure. The APIs are added through a butterfly valve with little exposure risk.

Our solutions include building automation control valves, industrial process valves, mechanical level controls for deaerators and boilers, military/marine valves (MIL specifications), custom engineered solutions, and a variety of energy-efficient products. Successfully meeting challenges by providing personal service, flexibility, and dependable products.

Assured Automation introduces the PTP Series. Effective for flow diverting, mixing, or on/off isolation, perfect for replacing a Tee + 2 valve linkage assembly at reduced cost and space. Available in 1/2 in. to 2 in. with NPT or Glue Socket end connections. Applications include corrosive liquids, seawater, and Pollution Control Equipment.

Two Massachusetts towns faced water quality issues including rising total trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, and manganese. Myriad attempts were made to solve the problem; some worked, temporarily, and some did not, reports Water World. In time, many changes were made including relocating several valves for easier adjustment and maintenance, and installing blow-down valves and drain lines for the de-gas system.

A Utah city largely dependent on water piped from a natural spring for its potable water upgraded its water supply system to generate hydropower, says International Water Power. Leaking pipeline was replaced with larger diameter pipes, creating increased head pressure and an opportunity to generate hydropower. To ensure continuous water supply should the turbine shut down, an inlet valve closes, and a bypass valve opens.

Experience is the best teacher, as shown at a recent hydrotreater project at a refinery, reports Hydrocarbon Processing. A Refinery Process Consultant (RPC) team oversaw the project and corrected several mistakes of inexperience such as incorrectly sized control valves. In reviewing 39 control valves, 16 were found to be undersized and, of those, six valves were "grossly undersized."

A California refinery planned to dismantle a heat exchanger, but discovered a broken valve and could not isolate the bundle to make the repair. Also, the valve was on a main service line, threatening to shutter several plants at the refinery. A liquid nitrogen freeze plug turned out to be the most efficient cost- and time-wise solution to change out the valve.

Approved for use in EPA's GHGRP. MISTRAS' VPAC™ line of digital Acoustic Emission leak detectors correctly detect through valve leaks estimating the quantity of material leaking through the valve.

The new VPAC™II determines if valves are leaking, where they're leaking, and the rate they're leaking. More information on our VPAC™ line.

KZValve's Electric Actuators are rated NEMA 6P (Waterproof) and NEMA 7D (ignition safe). KZValve is an ISO 9001:2008 certified company. Features include: 12 V DC and 24 V AC/DC; on/off, Analog control (0~10 V, 4~20 mA); actuate valve sizes 1/4 in. thru 5 in.; UV modified, glass-filled nylon housing; and operating torques from 35 to 350 in./lbs.

Too often, problems come up that companies have little appetite to attempt to fix in a novel way without careful study, says Mechanical Engineering. Sometimes, companies fall back on a tried-and-true repair method that they are familiar with, even if it is too expensive or not the best solution. Reluctance to innovate could cost companies substantial sums of money.

With valves thrown open, water flooded the decommissioned Navy destroyer for its slow descent into the Atlantic. The USS Arthur W. Radford, which served in the Persian Gulf War and other worldwide deployments, completed its final mission. Now resting off the Maryland and Delaware coast, the 564 ft ship is the longest vessel to become an East Coast artificial reef, reports Subsea World News.

A Reluctance to Innovate?

Too often, previously utilized techniques are used to solve problems even when they are far from the best solution. Is there reluctance to innovate at your facility?

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