The VMA Knowledge Forum, Part One: Technology at the Forefront
The first VMA Valve Industry Knowledge Forum, April 11-13 in Savannah, GA, provided a potpourri of topics for valve industry professionals from all disciplines.
#VMAnews #automation
Will Smart Machines Obsolete Human Resources?
Is artificial intelligence (AI) going to take over manufacturing jobs and the jobs of human resources professionals?
#iiot #automation
Unique Operating Dynamics of Trunnion-Mounted Ball Valves
For a very long time, the idea has existed that a trunnion-mounted ball valve can be opened under full differential pressure if the piping system can withstand the rapid increase in pressure and the forces induced by it.
#ball-butterfly-plug #pressure-relief #automation
Inspiration and Automation: Keys to Best-in-Class Operations
For the last several years, at industry gatherings of all kinds, the subject of automation is guaranteed to dominate the conversation.
#automation
Remote Monitoring of Cooling Towers and Air-Cooled Heat Exchangers
Advances in wireless technology have made remote monitoring of process equipment and systems much easier and less expensive than previously thought possible.
#automation
Achieving Profitability Through Maintenance Management
One of the distinctions between maintenance requirements in a capital-intensive process facility and those of other industries is the high cost of production equipment and the corresponding cost of maintaining that equipment over its lifecycle.
#automation #maintenance-repair
Control Valve Positioner Performance Diagnostics
There has been discussion for some years about the accuracy of measuring control valve travel with the use of the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) measuring element versus the use of independent valve analyzers.
#automation
Wireless Technology Optimizes Production in Mining Operation
Natural Soda operates seven production well pairs in Colorado to produce saturated nahcolite brine for manufacturing sodium bicarbonate (baking soda).
Mining nahcolite requires very careful monitoring of temperature, pressure and flow to not only optimize production performance—but also to mine the product sustainably and protect the freshwater aquifer.
#pressure-relief #automation
Water Hammer
Water hammer is a shock wave transmitted through fluid contained in a piping system.
#automation #water-wastewater #basics
Turning the Tables on Valve Corrosion
Multiple valve manufacturers and users worldwide are finding the value of valve preservation centered on vapor corrosion inhibitor (VCI) technology and related strategies.
#automation
Video Game Technology Changing the Offshore Industry
One of the most powerful innovations in training staff for offshore oil rigs was developed thanks to the video game industry.
#basics #automation
Reshoring, Robots and What Happens if We Do Bring Jobs Back?
While offshoring is painted as the major villain in the decline of numbers of manufacturing jobs in the U.S., automation may actually be a bigger threat.
#automation
The Challenges of Slurry Valve Packing
Because of the difficulties of dealing with slurry as a medium, the equipment assigned to move it along faces many challenges.
#automation
How to Improve Control Valve Performance with Positioners
As the final control element in most process control and automation systems, control valves are part of a complex system-within-a-system in which the valve positioner can be an integral component.
#automation #basics
Great-Tasting Brews Show Value of New Water Purification System
Consumers don’t often think about the fact that their electric power, clothes and even the semiconductors that go into the chips for computers and cell phones are manufactured using massive amounts of water.
#automation #water-wastewater
Ceramic Coatings Provide Corrosion and Wear Protection for Valves
Ceramic coatings extend the in-service life of equipment by enhancing the corrosion and wear resistance of the base material.
#maintenance-repair #automation
The Dos and Don’ts of Isolating Pressure Relief Valves
Typically, isolation valves are used to block off a pressure safety valve (PSV) from system pressure, so that maintenance on the valve or related equipment can be conducted without a shut down.
#pressure-relief #maintenance-repair #automation
Intermediate Class Valves, the Forgotten Classification
These days, piping designers use automated systems that default to standard classifications such as pressure classes of 150 to 2500 for valves and associated equipment.
#automation #pressure-relief #standards
3D Printing: A New Era for Valve Manufacturing?
With new technology being developed virtually every day, 3D printing has the potential to change how valve engineers develop and refine products, and how users are able to see how a particular valve can fit into their process.
#automation
Problem-Driven Innovation
Developing Alternative Technology to Improve Product Performance
Industrial product engineering teaches us to understand the difference between problems and conditions.
#automation