Looking Beyond Globe Control Valves
Submitted by Peter Jessee || Valin Corporation
While globe control valves are still a viable solution, modern rotary control valves offer many advantages and serve as a more suitable solution in certain process applications.
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How to Monitor Assets Remotely Today
Submitted by Corey Foster || Valin Corporation
As long as products have had ethernet ports, people have been asking for remote access to them. They believed they could just plug the devices into the internet, and it would all work. As more software tools became available and internet speeds increased, capable users found ways to give themselves access, however, there was a catch.
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Understanding the Feedstock with Valin
Submitted by Norman Hall || Valin Corporation
The only way to achieve a specified purity level is to select and install proper filtration, with the job intended and the task fully understood. Norman Hall, Filtration Business Unit Manager for Valin Corporation, suggests a correct approach.
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Steam vs. Electric Heating — The Basics
Most facilities in the chemical process industries (CPI) require some form of heat. The amount of heat required, and the necessary level of consistency can vary from process to process. Regardless of the details, engineers must decide on a heating source that works best for a particular process.
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Silicon-Controlled Rectifier Power Controls: Worth the Investment
Submitted by Randy Mulvaney || Valin Corporation
In terms of what matters to most in the field today, it is safe to assume that reliability, flexibility, accuracy and cost are at the top of the list. With these factors in mind, implementing a silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) control system for an electric heater is often an optimal approach.
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Determining Pressure Drop for Control Valve Sizing
Submitted by Peter Jessee || Valin Corporation
Most people who are familiar with control valves have seen the formula for calculating the valve capacity (Cv) required to pass a given flow rate of water. This seems fairly straightforward until you ask yourself, what is the correct value of differential pressure to use?
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Maintaining an Enclosure’s Integrity
Submitted by Fred Gridley || Valin
Maintaining a consistent internal environment for your enclosures is critical for equipment to function properly. The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has defined standards for specific enclosures designed for the application and environment when correctly installed. Learn more.
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Electric Heaters for Natural Gas Compressor Stations
Submitted by Jon Cloy || Valin Corporation
Reducing the amount of hydrocarbon leakage from compressor stations is not only imperative for the environment, but for your bottom line. Compressor-related emissions can be reduced by using electric heaters to heat the pressurized natural gas.
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Sensor Strategies to Optimize Automated Processes
Strategic implementation of sensors helps maximize a process from the start and equips operators with enough information to constantly be aware of everything happening in a line. So, what type of sensor(s) will work best for your environment?
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Remote Access for Original Equipment Manufacturer's
Submitted by Submitted by Tom Trinh & Corey Foster || Valin Corporation
Looking for ways to support your systems more easily, more safely, and more quickly for your customers? Perhaps you are wondering what remote access technology is for industrial control systems.
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Instrumentation Fittings for Power Plants
Submitted by Greg Neneman || Valin Corporation
A lot must be reviewed before selecting the right fitting for power plant instrumentation applications. Among the choices are whether to use single- or double-ferrule designs; heat codes, lubrication, and corrosion resistance must also be considered.
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Process Piping and Heat: Solutions to Consider
Submitted by Jon Irvine || Valin Corporation
Several different processes require a product to flow through a pipe from one piece of equipment to another. A certain level of heat is often required for this process piping, and this heat must be at very high levels for many applications.
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Developing a Corporate Filtration Strategy
Submitted by Tim Tritch || Valin Corporation
Proper filtration is essential to process flow operation. Improper or lack of filtration can wreak havoc on components, reducing their life and changing the final product. This can lead to equipment failure, process upsets, increased quality issues and in some cases, unplanned shutdown. Learn more.
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Catalytic Regeneration: Designing Electric Process Heating
Submitted by Patrick Bartell || Valin Corporation
Achieving effective catalyst regeneration requires a process that produces a very high level of heat in a very efficient manner. Over the years, there have been several different approaches to create this required heat. Traditional steam and heated transfer media have limitations. Learn more.
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Stop Cavitation from Destroying Your Control Valve Trims
Submitted by Dr. Jon F. Monsen and Dr. Hans D. Baumann
The devastating effects cavitation can have on control valve internals are widely appreciated. In this article, the authors therefore explain the origins of cavitation, provide an easy-to-use method to estimate cavitation sound levels, and conclude with approaches to reduce or even avoid cavitation.
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Magnetic Filtration – Are You Using it?
Submitted by Frank Schollmeier || Valin Corporation
In many machines, as much as 90% of all particles suspended in the oil can be iron or steel and can be particularly troublesome to operators. This article looks at the advantages and benefits of magnetic filtration and how it can often outperform traditional methods.
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Communication Simplifies Test System Design
Submitted by Ray Marquiss || Valin Corporation
Automation of product testing with IAI hardware and EtherNet/IP communication successfully eliminates monotonous manual labor and human error.
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Installation Practices Key to Successful Heat Tracing
Submitted by Jay Van Horn || Valin Corporation
Laying out an effective heat tracing design requires careful attention to detail. Every aspect of the system must be meticulously considered, including both the temperature requirements of the fluids being protected as well as the physical characteristics of the equipment being heat traced.
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Instrumentation Fittings — What You Need to Know
Submitted by Greg Neneman || Valin Corporation
In the world of instrumentation, there are a number of different topics discussed and analyzed. However, one that should not be overlooked is that of instrumentation fittings. Do you know what technologies are available? Do you know the strengths and/or weaknesses? Are there any new trends?
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Pulse Control Basics for Motion Control
Submitted by Ray Marquiss || Valin Corporation
For automating machines that require only two to three axes of electric actuators, pulse outputs may be the simplest way to go.
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Board Level Controllers – Best of Both Worlds
Submitted by Nathan Ehresman || Valin Corporation
An operator in a fluid handling process is only as effective as his ability to work with a given controller. If there are factors that keep this individual from doing what is necessary for a smooth operation, adjustments need to be made.
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The Challenge of Automating a Manual Process
Submitted by Corey Foster || Valin Corporation
When manufacturing engineers are tasked with automating a process that is currently done manually, their main question for an automation supplier is "Have you ever automated this specific process before?" In complex applications, the answer is typically "no." Learn more.
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Valin Corporation CEO Joe Nettemeyer on Change and Consistency
Submitted by Daniel Seeger || Industrial Distribution Magazine
In Joe Nettemeyer's long and productive career, he has had a front-row seat to a significant amount of change, and he's learned how to help others embrace transition. Nettemeyer spoke to Industrial Distribution Magazine about guiding everyone—even the skeptics—through major business shifts.
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Industrial Heaters: Reducing Premature Failure
Submitted by Nathan Ehresman || Valin
Premature heater failures can lead to unexpected process downtime. Tactics such as testing, planned replacement programs, and preventing moisture ingress can help prevent premature heater failures.
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