Valve Technology

As the one-time comedian Tommy Smothers might say, "Wireless is taking the storm by country." It is definitely a Hot Topic in process plants around the world, mainly because a wireless sensor can be installed for about a tenth of the cost of a wired sensor. You can monitor just about anything with a wireless sensor these days. But will wireless have an impact in the valve industry? What do you think? Are you keen to install wireless valve sensors?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Valve Technology, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Valve Technology today.

When your plant shuts down for a week or two, what do you do? Bask on the beach? Or do you embrace the shutdown as a chance to do needed valve and hydraulic system maintenance? Some say it's the ideal time to repair or test equipment that you can't usually get to. This includes cleaning hydraulic reservoirs, filtering fluid, flushing heat exchangers, testing pumps, checking hoses, and testing check, counterbalance and bleed valves. We'd rather bask on the beach, but regular maintenance keeps hydraulic systems running smoothly.

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Valve Technology, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Valve Technology today.

Big and long-established industry shows like the ISA Expo seem to be dying, a victim of increased travel costs and the popularity of vendor-sponsored shows, such as Emerson Exchange and Rockwell Automation's Automation Fair. Where do you go to see the latest in valve products, attend technical papers on valve technology, or take training classes? Do you go to trade shows, or are trade shows a waste of time and resources?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Valve Technology, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Valve Technology today.

Buying refurbished valves can be risky because you never know what you are buying. It may pay you to repair the valves you have. But who do you trust? One vendor says to use only OEM-certified technicians and OEM parts for your repairs. On the other hand, experienced valve repair shops are available nationwide. Some even will come to your plant and fix your valves on-site. How do you determine who is capable of repairing your valves?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Valve Technology, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Valve Technology today.

I watched Astronaut Farmer last night, and realized it had been a long time since an engineer had been a hero in a major movie. The last one I can recall was China Syndrome, when an instrument engineer (one of us), opened and closed valves and started pumps to prevent a major nuclear accident. What's your favorite movie involving an engineer or engineering? And tell me why. What branch of engineering receives the most attention from Hollywood?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Valve Technology, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Valve Technology today.