Valve Technology News

One of the world's largest producers of industrial plastics was fined by the U.S. EPA and ordered to upgrade its valves. The company will replace existing valves with low-emission valves or valve-packing material, designed to reduce leaks of hazardous air pollutants. The settlement was reached as the EPA targets fugitive emissions. Valve Magazine reports that in industrial applications, leaking valves account for 60% of fugitive emissions, and as much as 75% in refineries. Control valves present the biggest challenge to reducing fugitive emissions, and this report offers ways to address these problems.

The FQ Series is a closed loop proportional cylinder speed control valve with flows up to 250 SCFM. Controlled easily from PLC or computer using standard analog or digital signals, it compensates for load changes automatically. Maintains speed throughout full stroke or can be adjusted on the fly. Repeatability ±0.25% F.S.

Valves in hazardous areas need safe operation. Local powered actuation is often not appropriate. Safeoperator flexible shaft with handwheel adapter is simply connected to the valve and routed to a safe operating position. Elliott's Safeoperator uses a simple kit approach for the best solution to your difficult to reach valve.

The Hydrau-Flo® Safety Solutions for Liquid Filling from Weir Minerals Multiflo is a safer, cleaner, and more reliable fuel filling valve arrangement which removes the risk of overfilling, spillage, and tank rupture while minimizing safety and environmental hazards associated with fuel transfer.

The Sebright Model 4060 Stationary Compactor will fit those special space requirement projects without compromising force. Dependability means lower maintenance, less down time, and lower operating costs. 2.0 cubic yard capacity. For over 26 years, Sebright Products, Inc. has been designing, manufacturing, installing, and servicing waste compaction equipment.

An Italian manufacturer of extrusion presses incorporated integrated valves and actuators into its machines. The modular unit combines a pneumatic cylinder, pilot and control valves, position sensors, and speed regulators. Requiring one electrical and one pneumatic connection, it simplifies installation, reduces energy consumption, and saves space. The actuators control arms that transport metal bars exiting from the press to the next operation.

Using diagnostics can help root out valve problems. Flow Control reports on two applications that illustrate how diagnostics can help. For example, in a chemical plant application, engineers had disparate information: workers reported no problems, but online valve diagnostics revealed signs of fatigue. The actuator required more thrust than typical to move the valve back and forth, and diagnostics detected that hysteresis had quadrupled and positioning accuracy was poor.

Machine efficiency, energy savings, and reduced environmental impact can be achieved with improved design of pneumatic systems. There are three basic ways to achieve these goals: leak detection, design, and machine diagnostics. Methods outlined in this Machine Design story include optimizing flow valve rates. Undersized valves "choke" flow and limit performance, while oversized valves increase air and energy consumption, add to cost and size, and can slow actuation time.

Compressed gas cylinders are the most common way that laboratories obtain and use bulk gas, and there are a number of "dos" and "don'ts" when it comes to using and handling the cylinders. For example, when moving oxidizers, oily hands or gloves can cause a violent reaction if they come in direct contact with the cylinder valve. Also, if a protective cap is not secure, cylinders can turn into unguided missiles.

Swagelok® FKB series trunnion-style ball valves offer low torque, quarter-turn operation in a compact design for an improved life cycle in the field. Innovative design provides a leak-tight seal across a full range of pressures up to 15,000 psi (1034 bar). Read more about the FKB series on Swagelok.com.

Particular attention has been paid to the form of the product chambers when designing the CHEMICOR Metal Pneumatic Diaphragm Pumps from Almatec®. The three pump sizes in the series permit a maximum delivery volume of 4.5 m³/h (AD 20), 9 m³/h (AD 32), and 24 m³/h (AD 50).

A small town in Oklahoma faced leaking pipelines and its "band-aid" of stainless steel traps did not stem the drips. The town turned to high-density polyethylene pipes. But as installation began, workers found that a steel valve could not be closed after years of going unused, and the water could not be turned off. The solution was a polyethylene ball valve lightweight enough for workers to lift up and attach to the main.

It might not be a giant leap for mankind, but NASA is embarking on a much more down-to-earth project: the revitalization of its water distribution and wastewater collection systems at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. More than 125,000 ft of water mains and 25,000 ft of sewer pipes will be replaced, 33 sewer systems will be upgraded, and water valves and other equipment will be replaced.

Surge relief valves in liquid pipelines offer a last line of protection against potentially devastating gas pressure. This protection, however, is only available when the valves are installed and used correctly. A pressure surge can result in up to 10x the normal pipeline pressure. Typically, four events can be the surge culprit: pump startup, pump power failures, valve opening and closing, and improper operation or incorrect design.

TransCanada has received the final pipeline permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to advance the 780 km Gulf Coast Project from Canada to Texas. TransCanada has started construction of the oil pipeline, which will feature data sensors and emergency shut-off valves. Operating condition data is updated every five seconds, and if problems are detected the pipeline can be shut down within minutes.

NOSHOK's new Valve Product Solutions catalog features our expanded offering of standard and large bore needle and manifold valves including block and bleed valves in hard or soft seat/tip designs with ratings up to 10,000 psi. We've reduced delivery times, enhanced inventory levels, and provide an industry-leading three-year warranty!

Mouvex® Micro C-Series Eccentric Disc pumps are your solution for continuous transfer and low-flow metering. Featuring a leak-free design without the need for magnetic couplings or mechanical seals, the Micro C-Series performs consistently, minimally affected by fluctuations in pressure and viscosity.

ISA Standard 75.01.01 presents flow equations for sizing control valves. In particular, it focuses on equations for predicting the flow coefficient of compressible and incompressible fluids through control valves.

For more information on IHS standards, visit us here.

American Water Works Association's Valve Handbook is your complete reference for sizing and selecting valves to suit any application. The hardcover publication explains all key valve issues including life-cycle cost evaluations, common valve problems, and purchasing issues. The guide covers manual and check valves, as well as pressure relief, control, and smart valves.

For more information on IHS standards, visit us here.

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