Activity

  • Local Control for Electrohydraulic Valve Actuators

    Jim Cahill
    Electrohydraulic valve actuators are used in on/off and emergency shutdown actuation applications to stop process flow upon detecting a command signal or loss of power, protecting personnel, equipment, and the environment. The Bettis EHO Electro-Hydraulic Operator is a self-contained electro-hydraulic actuator designed to actuate quarter-turn valves, including ball , butterfly , plug , and triple-offset valves. It is…

  • Unlocking LNG Success: How a Fisher™︎ JT Valve Supercharged a Main Cryogenic Heat Exchanger Podcast

    Jim Cahill
    Liquifying natural gas requires a process that lowers the temperature of this gas to around -260 degrees F (-160 degrees C). The Main Cryogenic Heat Exchanger (MCHE) is the primary piece of equipment responsible for the necessary cooling; therefore, it is widely recognized as the ‘Heart’ of the LNG facility. The valves responsible for controlling the flows must be rugged, reliable, and able to handle the temperatures…

  • Material Selection is Key to Mitigate Corrosion

    Jim Cahill
    Deicing salts are used worldwide to remove snow and ice on public roads and bridges, and they are sometimes used by large process plants as well. However, melted ice and salts may inadvertently cause metallic corrosion if they contact valves, pressure regulators, or other related equipment. Aluminum alloys are especially susceptible to galvanic corrosion, which may lead to exfoliation corrosion. While equipment purchasers…

  • Advanced Control Valves, Regulators, and Relief Valves Address Common Challenges in Mining Operations

    Jim Cahill
    Mining processes have always been brutal on control equipment, with abrasive and corrosive slurries and chemicals present throughout the facility. Our article in the September 2024 issue of North American Mining , titled “ How advanced control valves, regulators and relief valves improve mining operations ,” is the first installment in a two-part series on the challenges involved in six common processing steps. Part…

  • Rigorous Reliability Valve Testing for Hydrogen Production and Carbon Capture Applications

    Jim Cahill
    As hydrogen’s role in the global energy mix grows, producing it via steam methane reforming requires carbon capture to lower its carbon intensity. The corrosive properties of carbon dioxide and hydrogen make the selection of valves, regulators, and actuators critical. In this short 2-minute video, Valve Solutions for Carbon Capture in Steam Methane Reformer and Pressure Swing Adsorption Units , Emerson’s Suzanna Grills…

  • Digital Valve Controller Diagnostic Alerts Maximize Maintenance Efficiency

    Jim Cahill
    Digital valve controllers offer many benefits over simple valve positioners, including the ability to detect and report degrading valve performance in advance of outright failure. However, implementing a comprehensive diagnostics program to take advantage of these features can be a daunting task. My article in the September 2024 issue of Processing , titled “ Activate diagnostic alerts to leverage digital valve controller…

  • Fisher FIELDVUE DVC6200 Continuous Bleed

    Jim Cahill
    You may recall Emerson’s Riyaz Ali from many digital valve controller-related posts here on the blog. He recently received an email: I saw an article you are cited in about DVC6000’s using a continuous bleed. Does the DVC6200 have a similar feature? I wanted to share Riyaz’s response in case you have a similar question. Generally, depending upon the design of internal components of smart devices and their response…

  • Enhanced Connectivity in Digital Valve Controllers

    Jim Cahill
    Despite numerous advancements to digital valve controllers in recent decades, their local user interfaces and connectivity options have remained somewhat limited. My article in the August 2024 issue of Process Industry Informer , titled “ Digital Valve Controller Connectivity Improvements ,” discusses how the next generation of digital valve controllers expands user interface capabilities and connectivity features to…

  • 150 Years of Performance

    Jim Cahill
    The year 1874 was 150 years ago. It’s hard to imagine a brand beginning then that is still available today. But so it is with Emerson’s Sempell brand of customized and engineered valve solutions. The company was founded as the Rheinische Maschinenfabrik in 1874 by Albert Sempell. The first valves for nuclear power plant applications in Germany were delivered in 1960. Pilot-operated safety valves came next to this industry…

  • Chemical Industry Valve Selection Considerations

    Jim Cahill
    Butterfly valves have a long history and are broadly applied across many industries, including the chemical industry. In a Valve World magazine article, Selecting valves for chemical, process applications (p38), Emerson’s Knut Riegel describes advancements in high-performance butterfly valves for critical process applications. Knut opens the article by highlighting the challenges German and other European chemical manufacturers…

  • Changing Valve Automation Requirements for Sustainability

    Jim Cahill
    Emerson’s Tom Mullins and Daniel Quintero presented How Will Valve Automation Change in a Sustainability and Decarbonization World at the 2024 Ovation User Group Conference. Here is their presentation abstract. Sustainability and Decarbonization (S&D) are increasingly highlighted in corporate annual reports as a desired objective. The move to drive down emissions and use lower environmental impact alternatives will…

  • Blue Hydrogen Valve, Actuator & Regulator Solutions

    Jim Cahill
    Efficient equipment and regular maintenance from an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) service provider help to ensure extended uptime and minimize operational challenges. It’s essential to secure reliability and safety in blue hydrogen production processes by looking for valve, actuator, and regulator solutions that: Deliver 99.9% blue hydrogen purity level Lower fugitive emission rate Boost productivity …

  • Digital Valve Controllers for Net-Zero Objectives

    Jim Cahill
    Emerson’s Riyaz Ali presented Digital Valve Controller Used with Final Control Elements Inching Towards Net Zero Emission at the 2024 Emerson Exchange conference in Düsseldorf, Germany. Here is his presentation abstract: Energy consumption is a big part of process plant operating costs, so its use must be closely monitored and controlled. However, attempting to minimize energy consumption by restricting energy flow…

  • Digital Valve Controllers for Net-Zero Objectives

    Jim Cahill
    Emerson’s Riyaz Ali presented Digital Valve Controller Used with Final Control Elements Inching Towards Net Zero Emission at the 2024 Emerson Exchange conference in Düsseldorf, Germany. Here is his presentation abstract: Energy consumption is a big part of process plant operating costs, so its use must be closely monitored and controlled. However, attempting to minimize energy consumption by restricting energy flow…

  • Emission-Free Gas-Powered Actuators are “Fit for 55”

    Jim Cahill
    At the Emerson Exchange EMEA 2024 in Düsseldorf, Håkon Espvik, hydraulics product manager at Emerson, explained how the need to meet greenhouse gas reduction targets will transform the actuation technology used for gas pipeline shutdown valves. Regulations and reduction targets, such as the European Union’s “Fit for 55” package, which aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030, require the oil and gas industry…

  • Emission-Free Gas-Powered Actuators are “Fit for 55”

    Jim Cahill
    At the Emerson Exchange EMEA 2024 in Düsseldorf, Håkon Espvik, hydraulics product manager at Emerson, explained how the need to meet greenhouse gas reduction targets will transform the actuation technology used for gas pipeline shutdown valves. Regulations and reduction targets, such as the European Union’s “Fit for 55” package, which aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030, require the oil and gas industry…

  • Rugged and Reliable Molecular Sieve Dryer Switching Valves

    Jim Cahill
    Natural gas and hydrocarbon liquids undergo many processing steps to final products. Dehydrating hydrocarbons is a key step before further processing, such as fractionation and liquefaction. Molecular sieve dryers, known for their efficiency and based on the adsorption principle , are the standard way to accomplish dehydration. Emerson’s Olivier Beyerman shared some background and considerations on this application. …

  • Rugged and Reliable Molecular Sieve Dryer Switching Valves

    Jim Cahill
    Natural gas and hydrocarbon liquids undergo many processing steps to final products. Dehydrating hydrocarbons is a key step before further processing, such as fractionation and liquefaction. Molecular sieve dryers, known for their efficiency and based on the adsorption principle , are the standard way to accomplish dehydration. Emerson’s Olivier Beyerman shared some background and considerations on this application. …

  • Control Valve Selection for PEM Electrolyzers

    Jim Cahill
    Renewable or `green’ hydrogen, produced by the electrolysis of water, using renewable electricity, has been described as the `fuel of the future’. However, companies such as Plug Power are building cost-effective green hydrogen ecosystems that are already rapidly advancing its role in decarbonizing industry and transport. Plug Power is the world’s largest user of liquid hydrogen, and has also developed its own proton…

  • Control Valve Selection for PEM Electrolyzers

    Jim Cahill
    Renewable or `green’ hydrogen, produced by the electrolysis of water, using renewable electricity, has been described as the `fuel of the future’. However, companies such as Plug Power are building cost-effective green hydrogen ecosystems that are already rapidly advancing its role in decarbonizing industry and transport. Plug Power is the world’s largest user of liquid hydrogen, and has also developed its own proton…

  • Crucial Role for Valves, Regulators & Actuators in Blue Hydrogen Production Podcast

    Jim Cahill
    You may have heard of various color adjectives used to describe hydrogen production based on the amount of CO2 produced as a byproduct. Green hydrogen comes from renewable energy sources, powering an electrolyzer to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Blue hydrogen is produced from typical sources like natural gas, but the CO2 produced as a byproduct is captured and stored away. This decarbonization process is one…

  • Crucial Role for Valves, Regulators & Actuators in Blue Hydrogen Production Podcast

    Jim Cahill
    You may have heard of various color adjectives used to describe hydrogen production based on the amount of CO2 produced as a byproduct. Green hydrogen comes from renewable energy sources, powering an electrolyzer to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Blue hydrogen is produced from typical sources like natural gas, but the CO2 produced as a byproduct is captured and stored away. This decarbonization process is one…

  • Valve Trim Innovations in Aerodynamic Noise Attenuation

    Jim Cahill
    Noise from flowing fluids can be a problem in many production processes. Control valves can sometimes be the source of some of the noise being generated. This pipeline noise is unfavorable to personnel safety, regulatory compliance, and plant reliability. With the demanding challenges from day-to-day operations, an unpredictable future, and nearing deadlines for sustainability goals, how do you address this challenge…

  • Valve Trim Innovations in Aerodynamic Noise Attenuation

    Jim Cahill
    Noise from flowing fluids can be a problem in many production processes. Control valves can sometimes be the source of some of the noise being generated. This pipeline noise is unfavorable to personnel safety, regulatory compliance, and plant reliability. With the demanding challenges from day-to-day operations, an unpredictable future, and nearing deadlines for sustainability goals, how do you address this challenge…

  • Moving Beyond Pneumatic Standalone Controllers

    Jim Cahill
    Scattered across oilfield sites, tank farms, and isolated process units, standalone pneumatic controllers have been used for decades to locally control level, pressure, flow, and temperature in remote locations. However, these traditional devices have limitations, and many vendors no longer offer or support them. My article in the April 2024 issue of InTech , titled “ When Pneumatic Standalone Controllers Age Out ,…

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