Actuators Blog (no longer active)
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Get better quality data from your wells and increase well production with a smaller package footprint? Possible!
over 12 years ago
Regulators - Blog (no longer active)
52
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Wirelessly Monitoring Tank Thief Hatches to Avoid Regulatory Fines
over 6 years ago
Valves Blog (no longer active)
186
posts
Fail-Safe Electric Actuators for Quarter-Turn Valves
over 6 years ago
Valves, Actuators & Regulators Blog
457
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Valve Strategies to De-risk Modular LNG and Floating LNG Execution
2 days ago
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Valves, Actuators & Regulators Blog:
Calculations for Sizing Control Valves
Jim Cahill
A Fisher brand technical paper on Valve Sizing Calculations shows the traditional and standardized calculations for properly sizing pressure regulators and valves. The traditional method uses equations designed by Emerson based on the performance of these valves and regulators. The paper explains that improper sizing can be both expensive and inconvenient. A too small valve will not pass the required flow, and the process…
24 Mar 2025
Valves, Actuators & Regulators Blog:
Diagnosing Pressure Relief Valve Bellows Issues
Jim Cahill
I found an “oldie but goodie” article in Valve Magazine , Introduction to Pressure Relief Devices – Part 1 . The author highlights the origin of pressure relief valves (PRVs) from numerous boiler explosions in the early 1900s. The purpose of PRVs are: …to open to relieve excess pressure, reclose and prevent further flow of fluid after normal conditions have been restored The author shares various PRV design types…
19 Mar 2025
Valves, Actuators & Regulators Blog:
When is a SIL Suitability Rating Required for Final Control Elements?
Jim Cahill
Update and bump: A LinkedIn post on this subject went viral, so I thought it would be worth sharing Riyaz Ali ‘s thoughts on this subject again. Abstract Final Control Elements (Control valves or Safety Shut Down Valves) are the key components of any close loop control system, whether it is used for Basic Process Control Systems (BPCS) or for Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS). Financial constraints derive different…
17 Mar 2025
Valves, Actuators & Regulators Blog:
Adopting New Tailings Standards for Mine Sustainability Podcast
Jim Cahill
Miners have always faced the challenge of how best to safely and sustainably manage the vast amounts of uneconomic material left over from the mining process, known as tailings. A new global standard charts a path for the industry to further improve its management practices. In this podcast, Emerson’s Steve Brewer joins me to discuss some of the challenges in adopting the new standard and the role of valve technology…
10 Mar 2025
Valves, Actuators & Regulators Blog:
Supercritical Control Valve Selection
Jim Cahill
Supercritical fluids are often found in carbon capture, ethylene, and hydrogen refining processes, and they pose unique equipment selection challenges, particularly for control valves. Our article on pages 45-50 in the February issue of Hydrocarbon Engineering , titled “ Demystifying Control Valve Selection ,” discusses key supercritical fluid applications, and it provides guidance for sizing and selecting control valves…
7 Mar 2025
Valves, Actuators & Regulators Blog:
Hydrogen, Helium and High-Pressure Gas Pressure Relief Valve
Jim Cahill
Hydrogen as an energy carrier continues to be investigated as a form of energy for a more sustainable world. This tiny molecule poses challenges in its use and distribution. Anderson Greenwood Type 84 pressure relief valve A recent Emerson press release, New Emerson Pressure Relief Valve Optimizes Safety and Performance in Critical Gas Applications describes the Anderson Greenwood Type 84 valves, which deliver leak…
12 Feb 2025
Valves, Actuators & Regulators Blog:
How To Assemble and Disassemble High Pressure Isolation Valve
Jim Cahill
How many times have we tried to assemble or disassemble something trying to follow written instructions that are unclear or perhaps confusing? Or watching a YouTube video trying to follow somebody’s oral instructions. I came upon this “how to” video for the assembly and disassembly of a Sempell VA400 high pressure isolation valve . The 3:43 YouTube video, Sempell VA400 High Pressure Isolation Valves – Assembly and Disassembly…
7 Feb 2025
Valves, Actuators & Regulators Blog:
Selecting a Valve Positioner for Performance and Savings
Jim Cahill
Digital valve controllers, like this Fisher FIELDVUE DVC7K Digital Valve Controller from Emerson, employ a variety of sensors and electronics to ensure even very large valves reach their commanded position despite variable interferences. LNG facilities and pipelines rely on valve positioners to provide precise and reliable flow control. My article in the January 2025 issue of LNG Industry on pages 35-38, titled “ Wise…
5 Feb 2025
Valves, Actuators & Regulators Blog:
Selecting a Valve Positioner for Performance and Savings
Jim Cahill
Digital valve controllers, like this Fisher FIELDVUE DVC7K Digital Valve Controller from Emerson, employ a variety of sensors and electronics to ensure even very large valves reach their commanded position despite variable interferences. LNG facilities and pipelines rely on valve positioners to provide precise and reliable flow control. My article in the January 2025 issue of LNG Industry on pages 35-38, titled “ Wise…
5 Feb 2025
Valves, Actuators & Regulators Blog:
Maximizing Reliability with Emerson’s “The Big Three” Diagnostics in Digital Valve Controllers
Jim Cahill
Revolutionizing Valve Maintenance In industrial operations, ensuring reliability and reducing downtime are non-negotiable goals for maintenance teams. Emerson’s FIELDVUE Digital Valve Controllers, equipped with “The Big Three” diagnostics , offer a transformative approach to achieving operational excellence. These diagnostics— Supply Pressure Alert, Drive Signal Alert, and Travel Deviation Alert —are tailored to provide…
17 Jan 2025
Valves, Actuators & Regulators Blog:
Engineering Superior Valve Solutions for the World’s Largest LNG Project Podcast
Jim Cahill
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) production facilities require rugged, reliable valves for safe, efficient, and sustainable operations. It’s also critical to reduce complexity and use the right valves for the application across the facility’s lifecycle, from initial engineering through construction, commissioning, operations, and ongoing maintenance. Emerson’s Andrea Sutti and Massimiliano Franco join me in the Emerson Automation…
16 Jan 2025
Valves, Actuators & Regulators Blog:
How to Size Compressor Anti-surge Valves
Jim Cahill
Anti-surge valves protect centrifugal compressors from potentially catastrophic damage, but they are typically grossly oversized for common operating conditions. My article in the December 2024 issue of Automation.com , titled “ The Art of Compressor Anti-surge Valve Sizing and Selection ,” discusses an approach to anti-surge valve sizing that takes into account all operating modes to prevent valve damage and premature…
16 Jan 2025
Valves, Actuators & Regulators Blog:
Transitioning to Blue Hydrogen Production
Jim Cahill
As demand for hydrogen rises, steam methane reforming (SMR) and autothermal reforming (ATR) have become increasingly vital. Both SMR and ATR are typically grey hydrogen processes, meaning they release significant carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and other emissions. However, my article in the Winter 2024 issue of Global Hydrogen Review , titled “ From Grey to Blue ,” discusses how each of these processes can be adapted to produce…
10 Jan 2025
Valves, Actuators & Regulators Blog:
Rugged, Reliable Valves for Sustainable Chemical Manufacturing
Jim Cahill
At the Valve World 2024 Conference , Emerson’s Knut Riegel presented Selecting Valves for Chemical Process Applications. His presentation addressed the chemical industry’s role in Germany, key principles to meet the needs of this industry, and the engineered valve solutions to address these needs. Valves are essential in chemical manufacturing and play a central role in the drive for greater sustainability. Sixty…
8 Jan 2025
Valves, Actuators & Regulators Blog:
Valve Solutions for Tailings Disposal and Water Management Challenges
Jim Cahill
Our article in the October 2024 issue of North American Mining , titled “ How Valve Solutions Improve Tailings Disposal and Water Management ,” is the second installment in a two-part series explaining how innovative valve solutions can be used to improve mining operations. Part two focuses on tailings disposal and water management/chemical makeup. Contending with dewatered tailings As part of their conservation…
6 Jan 2025
Valves, Actuators & Regulators Blog:
Butterfly Valve Designs for High Performance and Long-Term Reliability
Jim Cahill
High-performance butterfly valves are a common solution for equipment isolation and other on/off applications across a wide range of chemical and petrochemical processes. My article in the November 2024 issue of Valve World , titled “ Choosing butterfly valves for complete shutoff ,” discusses key design features of these valves to help users evaluate the best alternatives for their applications. Common applications…
11 Dec 2024
Valves, Actuators & Regulators Blog:
Boosting Efficiency and Safety: The Power of Digitalization in Greenfield LNG Projects Podcast
Jim Cahill
The liquefied natural gas industry is active in building new greenfield facilities. These new facilities have the opportunity to take advantage of technological advances in automation and the digitalization of work processes. Valves, actuators, and regulators play a crucial role in this challenging cryogenic process’s overall safety, efficiency, and reliability. In this podcast, Emerson’s Riyaz Ali and Tom Mullins share…
4 Dec 2024
Valves, Actuators & Regulators Blog:
Control Valve Considerations in Lithium Battery Applications
Jim Cahill
In the global effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lithium batteries will play a critical role in powering electric vehicles, and by providing storage to offset the variability of green energy sources, such as solar and wind. Our article in the November 2024 issue of Processing , titled “ Control valve selection for the lithium battery value chain ,” describes how capable control valves address challenging conditions…
25 Nov 2024
Valves, Actuators & Regulators Blog:
Valve Services for LNG Startup and Commissioning Podcast
Jim Cahill
Some of the largest greenfield projects going on throughout the world are liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants. These huge projects liquefy natural gas for transport across the globe. Regasification plants take in the LNG and convert it back into natural gas for distribution throughout the pipeline network. In this podcast, Devin Cloud with one of Emerson’s Impact Partners , John H. Carter , and their ControlWorx Premier…
20 Nov 2024
Valves, Actuators & Regulators Blog:
Revolutionary Approach to Pressure Relief Valve Monitoring
Jim Cahill
Monitoring pressure relief valves helps producers and manufacturers maintain safe and sustainable operations. In this 12-minute YouTube video, Elevating Safety & Efficiency: Emerson’s Revolutionary Approach to Pressure Relief Valve Monitoring , Emerson’s Ricardo Garcia demonstrates how this monitoring works and introduces the innovative bellows leak detection solution. Transcript Hi, I’m Ricardo Garcia , product…
18 Nov 2024
Valves, Actuators & Regulators Blog:
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…
13 Nov 2024
Valves, Actuators & Regulators Blog:
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…
4 Nov 2024
Valves, Actuators & Regulators Blog:
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…
7 Oct 2024
Valves, Actuators & Regulators Blog:
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…
4 Oct 2024
Valves, Actuators & Regulators Blog:
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…
2 Oct 2024
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