Emerson Exchange 365

Activity

Electric Valve Actuator Educational Video Series

Jim Cahill

Valve actuators drive the movement of valves either in on/off, modulating or control service. These actuators can be powered manually, pneumatically, hydraulically or electrically. For electric actuators, there is a great, educational YouTube series, Introduction to Valve Actuation and Electric Actuators . The 10 videos range from 2 minutes to 8 ½ minutes and feature these topics: Introduction to Valve Actuation…
- 20 Oct 2020
Turbine Bypass Valves in Steam Applications

Jim Cahill

Steam is widely used across many industrial processes to perform mechanical work and serve as a heat transfer fluid. Based on the application steam can range from dry, superheated steam to desuperheated steam near its saturation point. Steam conditioning valves help to control the temperature, pressure and quality of the steam. A 4-minute YouTube video, Sempell Turbine Bypass Valves explains how these steam conditioning…
- 14 Oct 2020
Dealing with Valve Cavitation

Jim Cahill

Control valves can be subjected to quite a bit of punishment by the flowing process in some applications. One of these destructive actions is cavitation. In a Flow Control article, Understanding and solving control valve cavitation problems , Emerson’s Thirumalai Karthik (TK) Arasu opens highlighting the potential severity of cavitation. Unanticipated cavitation can destroy a control valve’s internals and even result…
- 2 Oct 2020
Looking Beyond Immediate VOC Emission Compliance to Process Optimization

Jim Cahill

When dealing with issues related to environmental compliance, many engineers tend to stop thinking about the situation as soon as they reach the goal line. Compliance costs money, so they stop working on improving performance the instant they achieve the needed result. This is unfortunate because an environmental compliance effort is also an excellent opportunity to examine interrelated equipment and process practices…
- 16 Sep 2020
Advances in Butterfly Valve Technology

Jim Cahill

Butterfly valves have been used going all the way back to the late 18 th century . In a Flow Control article, The evolution of the butterfly valve , Emerson’s Joanne Lunsford describes some of the advances to for this important technology in manufacturing and production processes. One key advantage of butterfly valve technology is that they: …offer an effective shutoff method for the isolation and regulation of fluid…
- 28 Aug 2020
Digital Transformation for Sustaining Control Valve Performance

Jim Cahill

Digital transformation is broad concept signifying the use of data and easy accessibility to fundamentally change work processes. In a LinkedIn essay, Transform to Valve 4.0: Digital Control + Analytics , Emerson’s Jonas Berge describes how the performance of control valves can be more effectively managed and maintained for better operational performance. Jonas opens painting a picture on what digital transformation…
- 7 Jul 2020
Learning about Control Valve Performance

Jim Cahill

In manufacturing processes with flowing fluids, control valves are among the most important equipment to keep the process operating smoothly and reliably. For those not experienced in their design and operation, AIChE’s CEP magazine has a great article, Evaluate Control Valve Performance ( AIChE membership required to view full article.) Emerson’s James Beall authored the article and highlights the importance of focusing…
- 6 Jul 2020
Rotary Vane Valve Actuators for Critical Applications

Jim Cahill

If you’re unfamiliar with rotary vane valves actuators, they are used to automate ball valves or plug valves in all types of severe climatic conditions. These actuators are typically installed in applications that are critical in nature where the consequences of failure can be severe. For example, in natural gas pipeline applications these actuators are typically powered by natural gas for use in emergency shutdowns,…
- 2 Jul 2020
Digitalization for Improved Valve Reliability

Jim Cahill

How do you keep up with the performance of your valves given their importance to safe, efficient and reliable process operations? In a Pumps&Systems article, Digitalization to Predict Reliability of Mechanical Valves , Emerson’s Riyaz Ali shares ways continuous monitoring technology can help. Riyaz opens noting these valves or final control elements (FCEs) connected to the basic process control system (BPCS): …are…
- 20 May 2020
Sizing Control Valves for Intended Applications

Jim Cahill

I received a LinkedIn message earlier today. Here’s a portion of the message: I want abstract or article for fisher control valves issues faced during sizing selection mainly because of process and their solutions. if you could provide something, it is very helpful. Thank you!!! I connected with my friends who work with Emerson’s Fisher brand of control valves. It’s a very broad question and the best place to begin…
- 4 May 2020
IIoT Sensors, Analytics and Remote Experts for Control Valves

Jim Cahill

We have highlighted in earlier posts how Industrial Internet of Things technologies have found their way into process automation including control valves to help improve safety, reliability and efficiency. In a Process Industry Informer article, Transform Operations with IIoT-enabled Control Valves , Emerson’s Clint Schneider and Michael Lester describe how actionable insights can by continuously monitoring the health…
- 29 Apr 2020
Continuously Monitoring Overpressure Devices

Jim Cahill

Managing pressure is critical for most process manufacturing & production operations. Pressure relief valves (PRVs) protect against overpressure conditions and are often considered the last line of defense from catastrophic failures. Marcio Donnangelo Marcelo Dultra Standards such as ASME Pressure Relief Devices PTC 25-2014 and API RP 520, Part I-2014 identify types, sizing and practices for effective overpressure…
- 22 Apr 2020
Valve Condition Monitoring for Improved Operational Performance

Jim Cahill

The Industrial Internet of Things technologies enable more assets to be continuously monitored than was economically practical when wired sensors were the only option. With this additional flow of data, the value comes from being able to interpret this data to take action to improve operational performance in safety, reliability and efficiency. Control valves, found widely across process and hybrid manufacturing and…
- 14 Apr 2020
Simplifying Pressure Relief Valve Lifecycle Management

Jim Cahill

Proven RFID technology has been widely used in supply chain applications and has now found application in the manufacturing and production industries. I highlighted how it being used to better plan and streamline valve maintenance in a post, Improving Valve Maintenance and Planning with RFID Technology . This RFID technology is now also available for pressure relief valves (PRVs). In this quick, 2:36 YouTube video,…
- 7 Apr 2020
Considerations for Ball Valves in High Temperature Applications

Jim Cahill

Jason Jablonski Wade Helfer Petroleum refineries and several other processing industries have high-temperature flows. Valves used for throttling and on/off control must be made of materials to withstand the high temperatures. In a Hydrocarbon Processing article, Using ball valves in high-temperature applications , Emerson’s Jason Jablonski and Wade Helfer share recommendations for manufacturers and producers to…
- 25 Mar 2020
Avoid Operational Issues with Proper Control Valve Selection

Jim Cahill

Because they directly touch the process flow, control valves play a significant role in the stability, robustness and variability in the process. One bad-acting control valve can create large problems for safe and reliable operations. James Beall At last week’s AIChE Spring Meeting , Emerson’s James Beall presented Specifying Control Valve Performance to Achieve Desired Process Performance. In his comprehensive presentation…
- 10 Apr 2019
Avoid Operational Issues with Proper Control Valve Selection

Jim Cahill

Because they directly touch the process flow, control valves play a significant role in the stability, robustness and variability in the process. One bad-acting control valve can create large problems for safe and reliable operations. James Beall At last week’s AIChE Spring Meeting , Emerson’s James Beall presented Specifying Control Valve Performance to Achieve Desired Process Performance. In his comprehensive presentation…
- 10 Apr 2019
Simplifying Safety Valve Proof Testing

Jim Cahill

A safety instrumented function (SIF) within a safety instrumented system (SIS) consists of a sensor, logic solver, and final element. As part of the IEC 61511 global safety standard, these elements within the SIF must be tested during the operational phase of the safety lifecycle. Of the 3 elements, the final control element, typically a safety valve, has mechanical movement which must be tested. In a Processing magazine…
- 19 Dec 2018
Simplifying Safety Valve Proof Testing

Jim Cahill

A safety instrumented function (SIF) within a safety instrumented system (SIS) consists of a sensor, logic solver, and final element. As part of the IEC 61511 global safety standard, these elements within the SIF must be tested during the operational phase of the safety lifecycle. Of the 3 elements, the final control element, typically a safety valve, has mechanical movement which must be tested. In a Processing magazine…
- 19 Dec 2018
Partial Stroke Test for Final Elements—Diagnostic Coverage Factors

Jim Cahill

Author: Riyaz Ali Partial stroke test is one of the viable means to check mechanical integrity of Final Element of Safety Instrumented Function (SIF) loop. Generally, end users struggle on question of credit of PST for improvement in SIL (Safety Integrity Level). IEC 61508 and IEC 61511 define diagnostic coverage factors (DCF), but do not provide a prescriptive way to estimate the number applied in real process…
- 13 Dec 2018
Partial Stroke Test for Final Elements—Diagnostic Coverage Factors

Jim Cahill

Author: Riyaz Ali Partial stroke test is one of the viable means to check mechanical integrity of Final Element of Safety Instrumented Function (SIF) loop. Generally, end users struggle on question of credit of PST for improvement in SIL (Safety Integrity Level). IEC 61508 and IEC 61511 define diagnostic coverage factors (DCF), but do not provide a prescriptive way to estimate the number applied in real process…
- 13 Dec 2018
Low-Bleed or Standard Relays for Control Valves?

Jim Cahill

Happy New Year everyone! I hope your holidays helped to recharge your batteries and get you off to a great start for 2018. I saw this exchange in my email over the holidays about the effects of using low-bleed relays with Fisher DVC6200 digital valve controllers for control applications as compared to standard relays. This question was in response to a blog post from many years ago, Positioner Pneumatic Pressure Bleed…
- 2 Jan 2018
Low-Bleed or Standard Relays for Control Valves?

Jim Cahill

Happy New Year everyone! I hope your holidays helped to recharge your batteries and get you off to a great start for 2018. I saw this exchange in my email over the holidays about the effects of using low-bleed relays with Fisher DVC6200 digital valve controllers for control applications as compared to standard relays. This question was in response to a blog post from many years ago, Positioner Pneumatic Pressure Bleed…
- 2 Jan 2018
Low-Bleed or Standard Relays for Control Valves?

Jim Cahill

Happy New Year everyone! I hope your holidays helped to recharge your batteries and get you off to a great start for 2018. I saw this exchange in my email over the holidays about the effects of using low-bleed relays with Fisher DVC6200 digital valve controllers for control applications as compared to standard relays. This question was in response to a blog post from many years ago, Positioner Pneumatic Pressure Bleed…
- 2 Jan 2018
Low-Bleed or Standard Relays for Control Valves?

Jim Cahill

Happy New Year everyone! I hope your holidays helped to recharge your batteries and get you off to a great start for 2018. I saw this exchange in my email over the holidays about the effects of using low-bleed relays with Fisher DVC6200 digital valve controllers for control applications as compared to standard relays. This question was in response to a blog post from many years ago, Positioner Pneumatic Pressure Bleed…
- 2 Jan 2018