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Sarah Bradley

Valve World Americas

Most recent articles

Energy Transition – A Glance at Valves for Hydrogen Applications

By Sarah Bradley | 25 October 2021

As many companies and producers of energy are looking toward establishing a cleaner future, a great amount of consideration is being put into the environmental impact of various fuels. While oil and gas will continue to be used in many industries for the foreseeable future, Hydrogen has earned a reputation as the next new form of reliable energy.

Recognizing the Importance of Reliability

By Sarah Bradley | 22 October 2021

With 23-years of maintenance and reliability management experience in the chemical industry, Alex Chen has a unique opinion on reliability. Comparing the reliability of equipment to the lifespan of humans, Alex vividly illustrates the history of equipment reliability engineering, and explores how ‘full-life-cycle reliability’ is key to success in this latest interview.

Innovations in Control Valves

By Sarah Bradley | 22 October 2021

Shortly after the inception of the Yeary Controls SharktoothTM technology, Zwick Valves and Yeary & Associates, Inc. (Y&A), launched a co-operation that has since resulted in the production of hundreds of rotary style Zwick/SharktoothTM control valve packages. By combining the technology with the Triple Eccentric Butterfly Valves (TOV’s), the two companies created what is now a field-proven line of 2” to 54” in 150 thru 900 ANSI Pressure Class automated and manually actuated control valves.

Efficient Inlet FEEDGAS Control

By Sarah Bradley | 22 October 2021

Rangeability and stable control have always been an issue when it comes to controlling varying flow rates and pressures in gas pipelines. This is made even more difficult in FEEDGAS inlet for a Liquefaction facility, especially when gas is supplied from multiple sources held by different owners that have different pressures and flowrates.

The Valve Market Will Grow Under a Net Zero CO2 Program

By Sarah Bradley | 21 October 2021

The market for valves in the power industry will grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 2% over the next 30 years. It is predicted that this already massive market will increase further as the innovation needed to reach the net zero CO2 initiative occurs. This in turn will require coal and nuclear plants to allocate more spending to valve technologies.

Exploring MSS SP-55: Can You Spot Casting Irregularities?

By Sarah Bradley | 21 October 2021

What is a casting irregularity? What does it look like? Could you identify an irregularity in a valve casting upon first inspection? Surprisingly many cannot and irregularities are often overlooked, even by experienced technicians and engineers. The documentation and imagery found in the MSS SP-55 standard is very important to the manufacturing process. Can you spot the irregularity in this cast valve?

Piping Design as an Art

By Sarah Bradley | 18 October 2021

Piping design is an integrated process which combines designers, engineers, and end users. Covering a lot of ground, a piping designer needs to not only be knowledgeable, but creative and approachable. Charles Johnson, Senior Piping Designer for Evergreen Engineering, spoke with Valve World Americas to explain how he became what he calls a piping design artist, and why this is an integral role in the industry.

Champion in the Race for Low Greenhouse Gas Emissions

By Sarah Bradley | 16 October 2021

Business opportunities are emerging for valves suppliers because more customers are committing to lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions operations. Clients’ efforts to reduce their emission footprints have added a new layer to the complexity of the valves market, stimulating the development of low-emission, zero-carbon products and technologies.

Sealing for Oxygen Service

By Sarah Bradley | 15 October 2021

One of the first scientific realities that we learn as children is that all living creatures, including human beings, require oxygen to survive. We receive the oxygen our bodies need from the air around us, but our atmosphere is made up of mostly nitrogen, and only a little more than 20% oxygen. Additionally, living creatures are not the only ones who need oxygen to survive; so do flames.

LNG in a Nutshell – Technology and Market

By Sarah Bradley | 11 October 2021

It might be difficult to believe, but there used to be a joke about a geologist reporting back over a field trip and saying: ‘I have good and bad news; the bad news is that we did not find any oil; the good news is that we did not find any gas either.’ Discovering natural gas used to be a major inconvenience because there was no infrastructure in place to transport it to consumers - oil can be poured into a barrel and that is it; with gas, things are more complicated.

FBV INC. — Committed to Quality and Customer Satisfaction

By Sarah Bradley | 04 October 2021

Since its foundation in 2007, FBV Inc. has been providing the finest quality products and services to exceed the needs of their customers and ensure satisfaction worldwide. Specializing in the manufacture of ball, gate, globe, check, as well as customized products in a variety of materials such as stainless steel, duplex stainless, Monel and Hastelloy materials, the company has built an extensive network to offer sales, service and support to its reputable distributors in all over the world.

Valves for the Petrochemical Industry

By Sarah Bradley | 01 October 2021

In the oil and gas business, Downstream is the segment that converts hydrocarbons (liquid and gas) into finished products. It is commonly associated with refining and fuel production, but there is another set of operations pertaining to Downstream that are vital to our lives; we are talking about the petrochemical industry.

Philanthropy at the PVF Roundtable

By Sarah Bradley | 01 October 2021

Philanthropy is synonymous with generosity, benevolence, and the desire to promote the welfare of others. While many sit idly by ignoring means to make a positive social difference, others have answered the call and exemplify that no matter the industry, trade, or community, our fundamental needs remain the same, and we must take care of one another. The PVF Roundtable is a charitable organization of industry professionals involved in the Pipe, Valve and Fitting industry.

Trends in the Oil & Gas Sector Impacting the Valve Manufacturing Industry

By Sarah Bradley | 30 September 2021

A number of events during the past decade has set the table for significant changes to the oil and gas industry segment moving forward. These occurrences began with the 2010 Deep-Water Horizon spill, followed by the oil crisis of 2014 – 2018, the greater pressure stemming from the global warming situation and culminating with the Corona Virus pandemic.

Design Considerations for Extreme Temperature Requirements

By Sarah Bradley | 30 September 2021

As most piping specialists know, LNG applications can be very difficult to control flow, and it takes a special design with specific materials to work in temperatures ranging down to -454˚F/-270˚C. A design and materials which cannot be utilized in most valve types. While both gate valve and ball valve designs have been utilized, they do not always provide the very best of results – zero leakage in on/off applications.

Considerations for Valves and Actuators in the Chemical Industry

By Sarah Bradley | 27 September 2021

Consumers everywhere are using products derived from industrial chemicals and reaping the benefits they provide to improving lives. If you take a look, you would notice that everything from automobiles, smartphones, food packaging, and machines help improve our standard of living.

BECCS Implementation Would Create a Large Valve Market

By Sarah Bradley | 24 September 2021

Over the next 10 years the power plant valve market could shrink or grow by as much as 7%/yr. It all depends on the technology mix. The greater the amount of solar technology the smaller the valve market. The largest growth, by contrast, would come from a growth in bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS).

Asset Integrity Management Systems - Part 15

By Sarah Bradley | 24 September 2021

Although natural gas reserves are in abundance worldwide, Plants are located remotely. The transportation of gas using pipelines becomes impractical especially in case from one continent to another. Therefore, it is preferable to liquify the gas by cooling it. The advantage of liquification is that it helps shrink the volume of gas for easy storage and transportation when using ships.

Torque Values and Appendix O Calculations

By Sarah Bradley | 23 September 2021

One of the most common requests that a fluid sealing products manufacturer receives is for torque recommendations from the engineering group. Usually, this is for the assemblies that their products are being utilized in.

Diversify Your Valve Knowledge for Success

By Sarah Bradley | 20 September 2021

To become an expert valve engineer takes time and dedication – there are many types, sizes, and standards that must be considered for every application. Selecting the incorrect valve could lead to catastrophic consequences, such as a refinery failure or heat exchanger explosion or, it could simply lead to product loss and/or fines. In any case, it is imperative that valve engineers remain diligent in updating their information and techniques to maintain the safety and security of consumers.

Ball Valve Selection Guide: Pros and Cons of Each Ball Valve Type

By Sarah Bradley | 17 September 2021

Before selecting an engineered solution for any fluid or gas control application, it is vital to understand the unique application and overall value that each ball valve provides. Ball valves come in a wide variety of styles, materials and actuation types, with each form offering different results.

From Land to Sea: Life as a Subsea Engineer

By Sarah Bradley | 14 September 2021

An Interview with Subsea Engineer Joe Gomes – Talos Energy. As a seasoned engineer, Joe Gomes has had the opportunity to learn from various roles and positions he has held over the years. From field experience to office work, he has gained a wide range of knowledge on subsea applications.

Ball Valve Seat Selection for the Refining and Chemical Industry

By Sarah Bradley | 13 September 2021

As a manufacturer of high performance and engineered ball valves, we are often asked about what industry standards affect these products and what should be referenced when specifying and ordering. The answer to that question is not nearly as straightforward as with the gate, globe, and check valves that have historically been the primary go-to valves in refining.

A Rise in Petrochemical Capacity Expected by 2026

By Sarah Bradley | 10 September 2021

Throughout the petrochemical industry, plants are constructed to produce a range of products, including methanol, ethylene, polyethylene, propylene, polypropylene, ammonia, urea, benzene, toluene, and xylenes. Over the next five years, benzene, toluene, and xylenes are expected to see little capacity growth in the Americas; however, methanol, ethylene, polyethylene, propylene, and polypropylene are expected to see a significant capacity rise.

Severe Service Isolation Solutions for Hydrogen Production via Steam Methane Reforming (SMR)

By Sarah Bradley | 09 September 2021

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, natural gas reforming or Steam Methane Reforming (‘SMR’) currently accounts for 95% of the hydrogen produced in the United States; it is one of, if not the most cost effective and energy efficient method to manufacture hydrogen.

YDF Valve International: Premier Quality. Premier Performance.

By Sarah Bradley | 06 September 2021

At the beginning of 2020, Jiangsu YDF Valve Co., Ltd., a family-owned business, opened YDF Valve International (YVI) in the U.S.A. to provide sales and technical support for YDF valves sold in North America, United Kingdom, Europe, and other global regions where customers demand quality valves built to the latest industry standards. YVI valves are manufactured in the Jiangsu YDF fully integrated foundries / manufacturing plant.

Valve Optimization Using Engineering Simulation in the Cloud

By Sarah Bradley | 06 September 2021

Valves are a critical component in many industrial applications and need to be fit for purpose, cost competitive, and reliable under design conditions. Reliability and cost competitiveness requires engineers to constantly innovate and find new ways to improve their designs while reducing the development costs and time to market. Computer-aided engineering (CAE), also called engineering simulation, is becoming the industry standard for designing and testing valves better, faster, and cheaper.

Closing the Door on Coal for Green Hydrogen Investments

By Sarah Bradley | 01 September 2021

In a symbolic move, U.S. energy company NextEra closed its last coal-fired plant to invest in a green hydrogen facility. Pending approval from state regulators, the facility will be located in Florida and will produce 100% green hydrogen via electrolyzation

Explore Expanding Gate and Plug Valves

By Sarah Bradley | 30 August 2021

Expanding gate and plug valves are an integral component used in a wide range of critical applications, from pipelines to power plants, to isolation tanks and marine platforms.

The Cost of Unclaimed Responsibility on Valve Performance

By Sarah Bradley | 25 August 2021

The Polish people have an expression that fits in many workplaces. It says “Nie mój cyrk, nie moje małpy”, which translates to “Not my circus, not my monkeys”. There are two meanings to this sentence. One is about being at peace with things that you cannot change; accepting that you are not in control of some situations and that there is a limit to what you can possibly do to influence outcomes. Holding this view reduces stress and gives one freedom to pursue others, more productive, endeavors.

Oil and Gas Industry Challenges

By Sarah Bradley | 23 August 2021

The oil and gas industry is always facing new challenges as different products and regulations are released. This article provides insight into how some old and new challenges are impacting the industry today, including cleaner energy, selecting the correct valves and actuators, and maintenance requirements.

NSF - Developing Standards in Manufacturing and Process Procedures

By Sarah Bradley | 18 August 2021

Water is a vital resource and component to human life. From the municipal water system in your city to the bottled water you purchase from your local grocery store, the potable water you consume must conform to a strict set of standards that govern the safety and cleanliness of the final product that is offered and available to customers.

The Hydrogen Revolution

By Sarah Bradley | 16 August 2021

Faced by global climate change, countries and industries around the world are looking to decarbonize their energy sources. Hydrogen – the smallest chemical element on our planet – is seen by many as holding the key to a sustainable future. This journal contacted Deepak Bawa, Director of Project Development with New Fortress Energy, to glean his observations on the potential role of hydrogen.

Water Hammer and its Effects on Valve Operation

By Sarah Bradley | 11 August 2021

As we know, most liquids are considered non-compressible which means that no matter how much pressure is applied to them we can not modify their volume, they are considered non-elastic.

Neles Celebrates 65 Years of Flow Control

By Sarah Bradley | 09 August 2021

After 65 years of offering equipment and services that help customers to improve their process performance and ensure the safe flow of materials, Neles is recognized as a leader in valve control solutions. As a global company, its experience with components such as valves, actuators, digital controls, and switches, has earned it a reputation as the go to source for many process industries including pulp, paper and bioproducts, chemical and petrochemical, industrial gas, mining & metals, and more

Selecting a High-Quality Valve and Determining Its Total Cost of Ownership

By Sarah Bradley | 01 August 2021

Valves are used in many industrial sectors across the globe. Each sector has varying design and feature requirements while sharing basic industry standards, such as ASME, API, ASTM and ISO. When it comes to addressing the needs of upstream, midstream and downstream markets, manufacturers like International Standard Valve, Inc. (ISV) aim to design valves that meet the needs of each of these demanding applications.

Energy Transition and Valves: The Future Ahead

By Sarah Bradley | 26 July 2021

I had a very interesting conversation a few days ago with a valve manufacturer. We were discussing the market and then a topic came out that I really was not prepared to engage in: energy transition and valves. More precisely, what valves will be needed when we shift our fossil-fuel dependency to renewable sources? Also, when will this post-oil world require these valves?

Maintenance and Reliability Champion Helps to Close the Manufacturing Skills Gap

By Sarah Bradley | 19 July 2021

Bryan Bieschke did not take the traditional path into the industrial world, but his mechanical, technical, and leadership skills have propelled him to executive maintenance and reliability roles for manufacturers, military operations, and now a ship and terminal operations company for which he leads a quality maintenance and reliability program.

Asset Integrity Management Systems: PART 14

By Sarah Bradley | 12 July 2021

Safety relief valves should be installed vertically upwards as other orientations can affect the performance of a safety relief valve. The API Recommended Practice 520 guidelines also state that the safety valve should not be installed at the end of a long horizontal pipe that does not normally have flow through it. That leads to condensation in the pipe and it may accumulate debris over a period, which may cause damage to the valve and/or interfere with its operation.

Construction Safety Valve Prevents Costly Water Damage

By Sarah Bradley | 08 July 2021

As insurance premiums for construction projects continue to rise and deductibles can be six figures, companies are looking for ways to reduce their risk during the build. Large construction projects, like the ViewStar in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada with twelve buildings providing 941 residential units and 200,000 ft² of commercial space, is a very busy construction site with a lot of different contractors coming and going.

Break-down Order? — No problem

By Sarah Bradley | 05 July 2021

When Vesconite Bearings’ team visited knife-gate valve manufacturer A.C.Valves to fully understand how its client was using low-friction wear-resistant Vesconite polymer guide strips in knife gates, the company was manufacturing two valves for a South African gold mine that had experienced a break-down.

Valve Forecasts for Ultrapure Water in the United States

By Sarah Bradley | 01 July 2021

The U.S. market for ultrapure water (UPW) valves has changed substantially over the years. In the 2000 to 2010 period coal fired power was still an application which required more ultrapure water valves than all the other power sources combined.

Microbial Corrosion: An Explanation of MIC

By Sarah Bradley | 28 June 2021

In many industries today, not enough is known about microbial corrosion, otherwise known as microbiologically-influenced corrosion, or MIC. Reza Javaherdashti, an International Referee on Corrosion Disputes, and a Corrosion Trainer, is an expert on this topic.

Line Separation and Quick Disconnects

By Sarah Bradley | 24 June 2021

When faced with the need to join two fluid lines that must occasionally be separated, the system designer has many options to consider.

Edgen a Top Supplier of Quality Valve Brands

By Sarah Bradley | 22 June 2021

Edgen Murray is a stocking distributor for quality valve and valve automation brands. With over 30 years of valve experience, Edgen leverages strategic supply relationships and technical knowledge to provide application specific solutions for its customers, for both MRO and project valve requirements. Edgen is able to accommodate special requests for various brands, sizes and materials.

Risks Associated with Neglecting Actuator Maintenance

By Sarah Bradley | 21 June 2021

It is highly likely that at least once, most adults have ignored the ‘change oil’ alert that blinks in their vehicle or rolled past the odometer knowing a standard maintenance is due. Whether it is because they are too busy, or just did not prepare, there are risks to ignoring maintenance in any situation. The risks associated with ignoring maintenance on actuators is much more critical than overlooking the maintenance of a car.

VIZA Valves: A Forward-Looking Manufacturer

By Sarah Bradley | 14 June 2021

Valve World Americas pays a visit to VIZA Valves every year as its long-term partner for the opportunity to share information, collaborate on ideas and exchange experiences that shed light on industry changes and business management. We recently had a rewarding talk with Mr. Stephen Zhu, Vice General Manager of VIZA Valves, to provide readers with an insight on the cutting-edge innovations of the valve industry.

Specifying Valves for Low Temperature

By Sarah Bradley | 14 June 2021

How do you know if a valve has been specified for low temperature environments and applications? What types of materials should you be using? What are maintenance best practices for these valves?

Asset Integrity Management Systems: Hazardous Assessment Review Requirements (Basics of HAZOP)

By Sarah Bradley | 04 June 2021

In preparing an accurate time and cost estimate, it is customary for the client to provide the following information: Up-to-date Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams, Process Flow Diagrams (P&IDs and PFDs), Shutdown Key(s), Design Basis Memorandum (DBM), Plot Plan, and, A description of the process steps or unit operations involved.

How Piping Stresses Affect Valves

By Sarah Bradley | 02 June 2021

When designing a new plant, a piping engineer has to make sure that loads imposed by piping on attached equipment does not reach certain limits. Normally, rotating equipment and vessel nozzles are considered possible weak links and thus closely watched. However, valves also need a certain degree of attention, especially when not using flanged connections.

Engineering Engagement: An Interview with Bridget Spencer — Instrument Engineering & Design Department Manager at Wood

By Sarah Bradley | 31 May 2021

As an engineer-turned-manager for Wood’s Instrument Engineering and Design Department, Bridget Spencer helps her team to tackle a diverse range of projects in the upstream and downstream oil and gas sector. Spencer’s leadership style emphasizes knowledge sharing and training.

Three Concerns You Should Have About Valve Safety

By Sarah Bradley | 29 May 2021

Have you ever tried to paddle upstream? You learn very quickly that if you slow down the stroke rhythm, you go back to places you have been. Process safety works the same way – if a company does not train and enforce safety procedures frequently, complacency sets in and bad habits return. Valves, for example, need proper understanding, from the people selecting them to the people being sent to work with them.

Avoiding The Low-Pressure Trap Of Air Release Valves

By Sarah Bradley | 28 May 2021

Air release valves play a critical role in maintaining pipeline integrity in water and wastewater treatment systems, but plant operators face a common problem: most of the valves do not seal properly at lower pressures without changing to a softer seat, which is when the system is most at risk.

Adopting a Proactive Approach to Monitoring Fugitive Emissions

By Sarah Bradley | 26 May 2021

The world of fugitive emission control has changed, and continues to change rapidly. Major oil and gas players are beginning to aim for zero emissions, in an effort to ensure that future generations have a better environment.

Valve Design Considerations for Fugitive Emissions Abatement

By Sarah Bradley | 26 May 2021

The best valve design processes are standardized and follow a characteristic method that assures each valve meets industry standards, allows for easy traceability, and will meet even the most stringent demands of the application.

Combatting Climate Crisis with a Simple Solution to Reduce Fugitive Emissions in the Oil & Gas Sector

By Sarah Bradley | 22 May 2021

In the global effort to curb climate change, adapting business practices to eliminate chemical and greenhouse gas emissions is critical.

U.S. Valve Market Outlook Changes with a New President

By Sarah Bradley | 21 May 2021

The program being instituted by the Biden Administration will have the net affect of benefitting the valve industry.[1] There are a number of very positive initiatives and the negative initiatives will have less impact than one might think.

Five Questions to Ask Your Plant Manager About Valve Trains

By Sarah Bradley | 20 May 2021

If you are not asking these questions, your fuel-fired equipment may not be operating at peak performance.

Fugitive Emission Testing for Valves: ISO 15848-1 vs. API 624 – What is the Difference?

By Sarah Bradley | 19 May 2021

Fugitive emission testing for valves in refining and upstream is mandatory, and stringently regulated. However, in the mid-stream processes the role fugitive emission standards play is vague for end users and manufacturers alike. Without clear regulation on midstream valves, operators are forced to make their own logical decisions regarding emission control and abatement, loosely based on standards like ISO 15848-1 and API 624.

Neway: Changing Innovation, Unchangeable Mission

By Sarah Bradley | 17 May 2021

“Neway” is not a new name in the valve industry. The renowned international brand has exemplified excellence through each step of its development – from initiation, to global recognition and approval, to a constant maturing of product offerings.

In the Room Where it Happened with Fugitive Emissions

By Sarah Bradley | 17 May 2021

I just celebrated my 30th year in the valve sealing industry and I realize I was very lucky to see the world change in regards to fugitive emissions in valves. Back in 1990 when I started, a valve was not considered to be leaking unless it measured a leak rate of over 10,000 PPM.

One Stop Sourcing for Valve Automation

By Sarah Bradley | 15 May 2021

Since the majority of ball and butterfly valves are automated these days the process for quoting and ordering the complete package has been made more cost effective by “one stop” valve suppliers.

An Introduction of Failure Analysis for Valves

By Sarah Bradley | 05 May 2021

Few things are more dreaded in a plant than a catastrophic failure – the moment a component considered sound suddenly snaps without warning. Valves are known to have suffered such failures, and it is common for technicians to start a failure analysis to discover the root cause of what went wrong. Failure analysis is a complex process, that may require assistance from many disciplines.

Cold Snap 2021 – Why Texas Froze

By Sarah Bradley | 03 May 2021

During the days before Valentine’s Day weekend, the 13th and 14th of February 2021, a severe winter storm came down across North America as the Polar Vortex slipped out of position and brought extremely cold air down from the Arctic and continued south over Texas and down into northern Mexico.

U.S. Valve Market Outlook and Analysis

By Sarah Bradley | 01 May 2021

The market outlook is generally positive for the U.S. Unlike Europe most people will soon be vaccinated and business will return to normal. Some industries offer higher growth than others.

Asset Integrity Management Systems: Repair and Maintenance on Butterfly Valve Seats and Seals

By Sarah Bradley | 29 April 2021

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is natural gas in a liquid form that is clear, colorless, odorless, non-corrosive and non-toxic. It is produced when natural gas is cooled to minus 259°F (-161.66°C) through a process known as liquefaction.

Creating is the Key: An Interview with Mehran Ahmadi — Mechanical & Welding Engineer

By Sarah Bradley | 26 April 2021

Mehran Ahmadi knew from a very young age what his purpose in life was: to create. When the time came to choose a career path, engineering was the perfect choice, since it gave Ahmadi the chance to be innovative and creative every day.

Valve Technology

By Sarah Bradley | 24 April 2021

The basic ball valve remains the main stay for the majority of process control applications in industrial manufacturing operations while technology has evolved to adapt its use for more and more efficient and complex automated applications.

Understanding DBB, DIB-1 & DIB-2

By Sarah Bradley | 22 April 2021

The answer to what constitutes a double block and bleed arrangement depends on whom you ask. Are we talking about a safety concern regarding maintenance in a pressurized pipeline? Or are we talking about how the valve’s seats behave under pressure?

How Will the New Administration Impact the Industrial Sector

By Sarah Bradley | 19 April 2021

With the new government administration in the United States, strong measures to fight climate change are being implemented throughout different sectors. The Joe Biden administration’s climate change policy will target reducing carbon emissions to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

How an Engineering Background can be an Asset as a Procurement Professional: An Interview with Richard Hodgson – Pipe, Valve & Fitting Acquisition & Procurement SME

By Sarah Bradley | 17 April 2021

After years of working in the Engineering Department, Richard Hodgson made a career switch to procurement, and became a subject matter expert in his field. Working with a wide range of clients and projects has given him a unique outlook on the industry.

The Evolution of Intelligent Flow Control to Intelligent Asset Management

By Sarah Bradley | 15 April 2021

Flow control plays a critical role in allowing a wide variety of manufacturing and process applications (such as oil, gas, water, power, chemical industrial and process control applications) to efficiently and safely operate. Effective flow control can reduce emissions, assure safety and improve efficiency and yield irrespective of application or industry.

Valve Accessories & Controls – Celebrating 20 Years of Giving Customers the Smart Choice

By Sarah Bradley | 12 April 2021

Valve Accessories and Controls (VAC) markets quality products for controlling actuators in various flow control markets. VAC’s line of simple yet rugged positioners, mounting kits and accessories are designed with decades of industry experience combined with the commitment to provide customer-driven solutions.

An Overview of the Actuation Market in the Oil and Gas Sector

By Sarah Bradley | 12 April 2021

Imagine being on a rollercoaster; a feeling of adrenaline rushes through you as you reach the top of the ride, followed quickly by a gut punch as you drop to the bottom. For the past few decades, individuals in the oil and gas industry have become accustomed to a very similar experience. While the industry has always faced a number of uncertainties, in 2020 alone several economic factors, including the pandemic and presidential election, have impacted the sector’s operations.

Valve Grinding: An Essential Procedure in Valve Maintenance

By Sarah Bradley | 08 April 2021

Power generation and process industries require large quantities of valves that may vary in size, type, and values to regulate the flow of different media types. While in service, valve seats can be damaged from exposure to the process’ media as they must withstand heat, pressure, and foreign matter. Therefore, regular maintenance is required to prevent costly downtime due to seat damage.

A Primer on Subsea Valves

By Sarah Bradley | 05 April 2021

As depth increases, the face of every man slowly turns cold. As they watch the hand on the gauge advance into the feared red zone, a single thought roams their heads: will it hold? During the terrible wait, some start to hear noises: leaks, gaskets blowing, and creaking sounds. This scene may look straight out of an old submarine movie, but it might as well be about hyperbaric testing a subsea valve.

Subsea Valves for Pre-Salt Drilling

By Sarah Bradley | 29 March 2021

Valves manufactured for subsea applications are held to an extremely high standard. These valves must use specific high-quality materials and be able to withstand corrosive agents and high pressures.

Evaluating the Integrity of a Pipeline

By Sarah Bradley | 22 March 2021

As a Senior Integrity and Corrosion Engineer, Leonardo Araya has handled a wide variety of issues surrounding pipelines, valves and tanks. Valve World Americas Journal was excited to speak with Araya about the several methodologies that are used to assess a pipeline and explore a few case studies involving valves and the mediation of corrosion in carbon steel, stainless steel, and titanium tanks.

Wolseley Industrial Group — Your Industrial PVF Supply and Service Partner

By Sarah Bradley | 10 March 2021

For over 60 years, Wolseley Industrial Group has served industrial organizations with quick and reliable access to high quality pipe, valves, and fittings (PVF) and technical product expertise. As a leading supplier of industrial PVF and general MRO products across North America, their customers have come to trust in their experience in offering solutions that deliver results.

Optimized Technology to Improve Total Cost of Ownership

By Sarah Bradley | 08 March 2021

The current uncertain oil & gas climate requires a flexible and resilient approach in an extremely competitive landscape. Innovation and solution driven thinking is crucial in leapfrogging self-imposed boundaries, leveraging technologies and practices developed and matured in similar industries or embracing newly developed capabilities.

The Art and Science of Control Valve Selection

By Sarah Bradley | 01 March 2021

If you suddenly have the need for a 2-way, flow control valve – from a valve-selection standpoint, what kind of questions do you ask yourself?

Someone Has to Build It: An Engineer Reflects on his Career

By Sarah Bradley | 22 February 2021

Over his 45 years of service at Fluor, Ron Merrick witnessed profound changes across the oil & gas industry, including the standardization of piping and valves and a dramatic increase in digital technology in project planning & management.

Learning to Work as a Team: An Interview with David Amesty, Mechanical Engineer

By Sarah Bradley | 15 February 2021

A common challenge in the industrial sector is finding a solution that works for not only the application, but also the engineering teams. Learning how to recognize when to be a leader and when to be part of a team has been a life-long for David Amesty, Lead Mechanical Engineer, P. Eng.

MRC Global Celebrates 100 Years in Business - The Valve Experts You Can Depend On

By Sarah Bradley | 08 February 2021

One hundred years ago, humanity was recovering from a global pandemic that is estimated to have infected one-third of the world’s population. In this time of uncertainty, Jerry McJunkin set out to build something that mattered. He and his brothers-in-law were certain that if they could solve a problem for their customers and maintain high levels of integrity and service, they could provide for their families and positively impact their communities.

Selecting the Right Steam Control Mechanism

By Sarah Bradley | 01 February 2021

Moving Beyond ‘Business as Usual’ Regulators and Relief Valves to Explore Different Steam Control Options

Valve World Americas – Safety First – Change of Dates

By Sarah Bradley | 26 January 2021

For over a decade, Valve World Americas Expo & Conference has continued to grow, establishing itself as the largest valve event and flow control educator in North America.

Upgrade Your Valves to Reduce Your Fugitive Emissions… Making the Case for the Cost of Upgrades

By Sarah Bradley | 25 January 2021

Fugitive emissions have always been dangerous to our employees, communities, and the health of the environment and the planet as a whole. This universal concern has proven to be difficult to address until recently, when chemical and petrochemical plants gained access to more sophisticated tools to pinpoint, measure, and monitor the source and extent of fugitive emissions. This includes data from satellites, aircraft, drones, and airborne sensors, and special infrared cameras.

A Time to Learn: An Interview with Jonathan Whitlock

By Sarah Bradley | 18 January 2021

Jonathan Whitlock was an instrumentation engineer for over four decades. For the majority of his career, he volunteered to share his knowledge with engineering students and now teaches full time at San Jacinto College.

What is a Valve Signature? – Part 2

By Sarah Bradley | 11 January 2021

A valve is a pressure vessel with internal moving parts; and when they move, they encounter resistance from other parts and from the flow. The recording of the pressures and forces associated with overcoming these resistances is sometimes called “valve signature”. When plotted over time, the trends are helpful in identifying degradation and other operational problems.

What is a Valve Signature? – Part 1

By Sarah Bradley | 04 January 2021

Neles’ Move to the Next Level

By Sarah Bradley | 21 December 2020

The partial demerger of Metso has spawned two independent companies: Metso Outotec and Neles. The latter company has taken the established brand name, which dates back to the mid-1950s. Valve World spoke with CEO Olli Isotalo about Neles and the company’s trajectory in the near future.

Practical Engineering Inspiring Technological Innovation: An Interview with Rafael Souza – Mechanical Engineer

By Sarah Bradley | 14 December 2020

With over fourteen years of experience as a Mechanical Engineer for an established engineering company, Rafael Souza has accumulated a wealth of industry knowledge surrounding refineries, thermoelectric, supply chain efficiency and testing procedures.

The Future of Fugitive Emissions Management: A-T Controls

By Sarah Bradley | 07 December 2020

A-T Controls, a global leader in the design and manufacture of manual and automated engineered valve solutions, has been dedicated to the reduction of fugitive emissions for over two decades. As a wide range of industries are paying more attention to the issue of fugitive emissions, A-T Controls is ideally positioned to assist their clients in their environmental endeavors.

Seizing the Opportunity to Learn from Industry Experts

By Sarah Bradley | 30 November 2020

Valve World Americas sat down with the Managing Aging Plants USA Conference and Expo Chairman, Mr. Sam Davis, President of RFS Compliance Solutions, to discuss his experiences in the industrial sector and working with aging infrastructure, and why he feels this is an important event for engineers of all ages and experiences to attend.

Helping Manufacturers Predict the Unknown with Smart Technology

By Sarah Bradley | 23 November 2020

Jeremy Drury and Rex Wetherill use their experience and expertise to simplify the art of predicting unplanned downtime by making, moving, and managing data for manufacturers. By using smart technology that makes the sophisticated Internet of Things (IoT) “as easy as 1-2-3” they help end users quickly convert reactive maintenance into a proactive strategy.

The Importance of Preserving Knowledge Through Mentorship

By Sarah Bradley | 16 November 2020

With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Dan DeVine began his career in 1987 working for the Union Carbide Corporation after graduating from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering. He joined The Dow Chemical Company in 2001 through the acquisition of Union Carbide. Dan is now working in a valve and piping consulting engineer role as an independent contractor through Midland Engineering, Ltd. for Corteva AgriscienceTM.

How Partnering with Experts Can Improve Valve Operations and Maintenance

By Sarah Bradley | 09 November 2020

Comprehensive services delivered by locally-based industry experts are often required to optimize valve operations, reduce risk, improve safety, and cut costs. Valve World Americas spoke with Larry Baumber, Director of Global Service Management for Emerson Automation Solutions, to discuss common problems related to servicing control, on-off, and pressure relief valves, suggested solutions and examples of successful third-party service engagements.

Creating a Robust Maintenance Strategy for Valves, Pumps & Other Equipment

By Sarah Bradley | 02 November 2020

With a quarter of a century of experience building reliability and maintenance programs for major food and pharmaceutical companies, Joe Anderson creates robust strategies that help manufacturers build programs and improve the life of key equipment and the productivity of operations.

Working with an Immeasurable Skillset

By Sarah Bradley | 26 October 2020

George Gabriel has held many engineering roles throughout his decades of work, giving him invaluable experience and transferable skills. Valve World Americas had the opportunity to sit down with George Gabriel to talk about his experience with valves, pumps, boilers, and heat exchangers, and his thoughts on best-practices for engineering teams.

Valve Procurement From the Cradle to the Grave

By Sarah Bradley | 19 October 2020

Allan Mabuti moved from his home country the Philippines to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He joined McDermott and is working as a valve package engineer. This means he is responsible for the cradle to the grave in valve procurement.

The Paladon Difference: Innovative Solutions for Industry

By Sarah Bradley | 12 October 2020

For over 30 years, Paladon Systems has been supplying high quality valve actuators and control systems on a global scale. With the opening of Paladon Americas in 2011, the company can better serve their customers around the globe.

COVID-19 Lessons for Oil and Gas Manufacturers and Suppliers

By Sarah Bradley | 06 October 2020

The phrase ‘new normal’ is very popular at the moment. In the oil and gas (O&G) sector, we have had to adapt to many a new normal over the years. ‘Lower for longer’ was meant to be the new normal with prices in the USD $60-70/bbl range, before they went much lower than that.

Managing Expectations – An Interview with Jay Humphrey, Senior Expeditor

By Sarah Bradley | 05 October 2020

After almost two decades in the oil and gas industry, Jay Humphrey has gained valuable expertise and knowledge working with various vendors, clients, and engineering components.

A Welder is an Artist; an Inspector is the Critic – Part 2

By Sarah Bradley | 28 September 2020

No two welds are exactly the same, and this is something that Garrett Borrow, QA Inspector, has learned throughout his career in the welding and inspection industry. As every weld is different, he must be diligent and detail-oriented to make sure that all welds are done properly and to the project’s specifications.

A Welder is an Artist; an Inspector is the Critic – Part 1

By Sarah Bradley | 21 September 2020

Preventive Maintenance Strategies for Highly-Charged Facility Equipment

By Sarah Bradley | 14 September 2020

When it comes to maintaining electrical systems connected to equipment like valves and pumps, it is important to have preventive programs in place to prevent small mistakes from causing big problems, according to Bill Myers, Electrical Distribution Specialist for AstraZeneca’s Facility Engineering Department at the West Chester, Ohio plant. This is especially true in a sterile pharmaceutical environment that maintains more than 2,000 assets.

VELAN: Celebrating 70 Years of Innovative Expertise

By Sarah Bradley | 07 September 2020

Velan has had a rich history of innovation, since its founding by A.K. Velan in 1950. Celebrating its 70th anniversary, the Montreal, Canada-based firm is no stranger to turbulence in the industry. As a world leader in the design and production of cast and forged severe service valves across all major industrial applications, Velan has maintained stability and continued to offer new technology driven products that allow them to persevere in the face of uncertainty.

NAB Versus Titanium Seawater System Valves

By Sarah Bradley | 31 August 2020

Titanium was first replaced with Nickel Aluminium Bronze (NAB) in the offshore industry as a cost-saving measure. This paper provides a short comparison between titanium and NAB valves in corrosive seawater systems.

A Complete Guide – Control Valve Selection

By Sarah Bradley | 28 August 2020

It is well worth mentioning that anything can be controlled if you just have the right valve for it. Engineers need to find the shortest possible way to solve a problem and decide on making it cost-effective. Hence, the solution might be selecting a control valve for the project.

A Problem Solving Team: An Interview with Justin Deckard – Piping Department Manager for Arion

By Sarah Bradley | 24 August 2020

An analytical person who is dedicated to their craft will go far in the piping industry, according to Justin Deckard. With so many different situations that will come up on the job, a good problem-solver will find the perfect solution for each client. Justin Deckard is a professional problem-solver, even if that was not what he originally planned to be.

Stepping Outside the Comfort Zone: An Interview with Andre Gafford

By Sarah Bradley | 17 August 2020

Choose projects that scare you – this is the motto that Andre Gafford follows every day. After over 20 years in the industry, he has seen and worked on his fair share of large projects, and each has pushed him to take risks and develop new ideas.

Bray’s Automation & Control Solutions – Unwavering Commitment to Superior Quality Products

By Sarah Bradley | 10 August 2020

Bray International Inc.’s presence in over 60 countries across six continents has solidified the company’s position as a worldwide leader in the global rotary automation & controls market. Since its inception almost 35 years ago, Bray’s unwavering commitment to superior quality products and unmatched customer service have laid the foundation for its continued success.

Design Validation and Prototype Cycling for Valves

By Sarah Bradley | 03 August 2020

Production losses associated with valve failures have made many companies become more stringent on product qualification. At first, this meant only the review of the valve design and related assumptions, gauging if the engineering behind them was sound.

Understanding Framework Agreements

By Sarah Bradley | 27 July 2020

Procuring valves individually in one-off contracts is a repetitive task; and one that the procurement and related engineering support team can become quite good at it. However, is this the best use of such resources? One of the ways to alleviate the burden of procurement is the establishment of framework agreements.

Understanding the Cost of Failure: An Interview with Robert Bishop – Plant Manager for Chemtrade Syracuse

By Sarah Bradley | 21 July 2020

When it comes to maintaining critical equipment like valves and pumps, Chemtrade Plant Manager Robert Bishop relies on using modern technologies like ultrasound, thermography, and vibration analysis to determine the cost and impact of failures, a system that works in large and small facilities. By Michelle Segrest - Contributing Editor

Harnessing Fugitive Emissions Technology: An Interview with Mike Shorts

By Sarah Bradley | 20 July 2020

Mike Shorts has developed a wealth of knowledge surrounding industrial processes and emission control throughout his 23 years in the industry. Appointed President of Triangle Fluid Controls in 2008 after Durabla Canada’s restructuring, Shorts continues to cultivate and motivate his team of experts to harness and disseminate the latest technologies and product advancements for the purpose of fugitive emission control.

The Top 10 Issues to be Aware of in Aging Infrastructure

By Sarah Bradley | 13 July 2020

All industrial plants face numerous challenges to operate in a safe and profitable way: costs, competition, raw material quality, regular maintenance, and the list goes on. Aging plants have these very same challenges and a whole other burden – some being age-related and some that are variations of the ‘regular’ challenges.

Top 10 Valve Inspection Points

By Sarah Bradley | 06 July 2020

Recently published standards have brought in new demands for valve inspectors. The S-562 (Supplementary Requirements to API Specification 6D Ball Valves) and the S-611 (Supplementary Requirements to API 600 Steel Gate Valves and to API 603 CRA Gate Valves) specify that new tests and procedures are to be performed.

A Fresh Perspective on the Use of the Drill and Tap Process

By Sarah Bradley | 29 June 2020

The Drill & Tap (D&T) repair process has been used commonly in the Refinery, Petrochemical and Chemical plant sectors (Downstream) for more than 60 years. D&T repairs have been performed effectively and safely to repack valves of various types.

Mediating Fugitive Emissions: An Interview with Carl Anderson

By Sarah Bradley | 22 June 2020

Environmental engineers are essential to the protection of the environment as well as the health and safety of vital industry workers. Their careers are dedicated to ensuring that the integrity of equipment used in industrial processes are up to global standards, and are performing on the frontline against leakage and fugitive emissions.

AIMS – Asset Integrity Management Systems (AIMS)

By Sarah Bradley | 15 June 2020

Opportunities and Challenges in Safety Integrity Levels (Part 4). With the initial phases of safety in asset integrity management systems like HAZOP (hazard and operability study) and SIL (safety integrity level) assignments completed and most of the engineering documentation available, the next important activity in the safety lifecycle is SIL verification.

Neway: Innovation Never Ends

By Sarah Bradley | 08 June 2020

These uncertain times are reshaping the world. Nevertheless, it is inevitable that all industries must be able to respond to the constant changes around us. Some special enterprises, maintain the ability to readily adapt to required change, providing ongoing adjustments and product innovation as leaders in the valve manufacturing industry, even during these difficult times.

Dealing with Cavitation the Street-Smart Way

By Sarah Bradley | 01 June 2020

Street-smart is a term generally used for a person who has situational awareness and the skills to survive in tough urban environments. It also describes someone who relies more on practical rather than theoretical knowledge.

Ayo Kilani (NLNG): Chairman Valve World Conference 2020

By Sarah Bradley | 25 May 2020

Valve World is honored to present Ayo Kilani as the Chairman of the Valve World Conference 2020. The main global event for the valve and actuation sector and related end-user sectors will take place from December 1st to December 3rd in Düsseldorf, Germany.

From Upper Michigan to (Almost) Everywhere: VanAire’s Mounting Kit Components Bring Quality, Safety, and Longevity to Equipment

By Sarah Bradley | 18 May 2020

In some of the most critical industries in the nation, an essential piece of valve automation has long been an afterthought. VanAire is working hard to change that.

BASF’s IPM: Simplifying Automated Valves

By Sarah Bradley | 11 May 2020

BASF has co-developed and introduced the Integrated Pneumatic Module (IPM) mainly to simplify the configuration for linear and quarterturn actuators, both in standard and more complex configurations. According to Matko Dijkman, Senior Automation Manager at BASF, the IPM has been designed to prevent unnecessary mistakes in the installation and maintenance process. The IPM also has potential in plant availability, safety and savings, for example, in stock keeping.

Owning Your Work: An Interview with Rob Crena De Iongh

By Sarah Bradley | 04 May 2020

After almost four decades of working for one of the top five oil and gas companies, Rob Crena De Iongh has gained invaluable knowledge and expertise in the oil and gas industry. Throughout his professional career he has worked with a large variety of rotating and static equipment like valves, pumps, compressors and gas-turbines.

Crane Instrumentation & Sampling (I&S) - Brands You Trust

By Sarah Bradley | 27 April 2020

Crane’s instrumentation and sampling products have been engineered over many years to solve severe process applications by working closely with customers to understand their needs. Crane has unparalleled knowledge of analytical instrumentation, pressure measurement and sampling processes in the oil and gas, chemical and petrochemical industries. Their mission is to help its customers increase safety and productivity, whilst exceeding emission codes and standards to help protect the environment.

Importance of Control Valve Training

By Sarah Bradley | 20 April 2020

Why is training so essential for water utilities, engineers and operators? There are continuous changes in regulation of water distribution systems, changing laws and water quality mandates. In order to ensure compliance, utilities and their staff need proper training on the tools and methodology to keep up with an ever-changing industry.

Best Practices for Back-Pressure Regulator Setup in Sampling Systems

By Sarah Bradley | 13 April 2020

For even the most experienced engineers and technicians, analytical sampling system design presents a unique challenge. Analytical sampling is an intricate process, and what can seem like inconsequential design deviations can significantly influence sample accuracy. Inaccuracy leads to troubleshooting, troubleshooting leads to downtime, and downtime leads to lost dollars stemming from design flaws or installation errors that could have been eliminated upfront.

A Rotating Equipment Editor: An Interview with Dan Heberer

By Sarah Bradley | 06 April 2020

An early interest in machinery brought Dan Heberer into the world of mechanical engineering, which eventually led to a career in rotating equipment and pumping systems. Heberer worked with a long term focus on rotating equipment and gained diverse knowledge of the chemical industry.

Inspecting and Managing Aging Infrastructure

By Sarah Bradley | 30 March 2020

As facilities get older, more repairs and replacements are required to keep a plant and its applications operational. Inspection teams are called in to make recommendations on the best steps to move forward, and that is where William Wilson found his niche.

Learning Should be a Constant Process

By Sarah Bradley | 23 March 2020

The pulp and paper industry is vast and highly dispersed, and its ecosystem made up of companies that use wood as their raw material to produce pulp, paper, cardboard and other pulp products.

Bonney Forge: Investing in Quality, and the Future!

By Sarah Bradley | 16 March 2020

Since its founding in 1876, Bonney Forge has been recognized for its manufacturing excellence and high-quality product standards. For the last 144 years, the company has exceeded expectations and earned the trust of end users worldwide. Its dedication to customers’ needs and its investment in expanding its manufacturing capabilities has made the company a world leader in the valve market.

Protecting Original Investments and Working Through the Plant Re-certification Process Cost-effectively

By Sarah Bradley | 09 March 2020

Nearly 40 years ago, Leslie Controls had the privilege of installing critical valves across the entire fleet of nuclear power plants for a major power generation company in Asia. The valves worked flawlessly over those many decades and continue to work without problems.

Valve Actuation & Automation

By Sarah Bradley | 02 March 2020

Today, industries rely more frequently on automated machinery/processes rather than other manual or mechanized systems. Automated equipment provides high performance, whilst helping to reduce dangerous assembly and industrial processes requiring human intervention. Actuators have played a key role in the functioning of automated devices.

The Benefits of Using Automated Valves

By Sarah Bradley | 24 February 2020

Automation helps with activities and processes without the need for personnel to physically engage in carrying them out. Automating valves is particularly valuable for controlling flow in piping systems requiring precision control or fail-safe emergency shutoff. A closer examination of the various benefits of using automated valves provides insight into their overall industrial impact, improved output control, and increased safety in manufacturing and production.

Network Control for Valve Actuators

By Sarah Bradley | 17 February 2020

Reliable and comprehensive data communications are essential elements in the modern process plant. Plant managers today demand access to more information, more quickly than ever before. Process operators must have the ability for full control at all times, 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. Maintenance managers need the information required for efficient asset management.

Baker Hughes: Providing the Industry with Valve Solutions for IIoT

By Sarah Bradley | 10 February 2020

Digitization has significantly influenced the valve industry since its adoption in the late 1990s. Since then, manufacturers are continuously competing to find new ways to innovate and expand their digital portfolios, and the need to stay relevant and up to date has never been greater.

Developing Sustainable Solutions for Current Global Challenges

By Sarah Bradley | 03 February 2020

Martin Ryan fell into the world of piping and valves, almost by accident. After a few years as an engineer in the automotive industry, he relocated to the oil and gas capital of Australia. Martin was involved with several oil and gas projects as a mechanical & piping engineer and began engaging with numerous valves and their applications. In 2012, Martin relocated to the USA where he transferred to the chemical industry where he continues to be involved with valves and valve applications.

What are Cv Values and How Can They Be Used? An Interview with Ed Edwards

By Sarah Bradley | 27 January 2020

Ed H. Edwards is the Vice President of HBE Engineering of Three Rivers, Michigan, a supplier of centrifugal pump minimum flow valves and orifices. He has worked in the pump and related equipment field since 1972 and holds a BS from Western Michigan University. He specializes in materials of construction for corrosion and erosion resistance, the proper sizing, selection, installation and maintenance of equipment. By Michelle Segrest - Contributing Editor

Bridging the Knowledge Gap: An Interview with Gary Boles

By Sarah Bradley | 20 January 2020

When conversations concerning pumps, valves, or nuclear power plants arise, Gary Boles is always eager to partake. As a highly experienced Project Manager at EPRI, Boles has had the opportunity to work in a number of positions within the power industry.

Design Validation Tests and Technology Know-How

By Sarah Bradley | 13 January 2020

Technological innovation is the key to achieving greater performance, longer and reliable service, within a competitive budget and schedule. In this article, Euthymios J. Euthymiou asks some questions that are often raised by decision-makers.

Trust, but Verify: the Case of Writing a Specification

By Sarah Bradley | 06 January 2020

In the 80’s, the United States and the then Soviet Union were involved in extensive talks about nuclear disarmament. Ronald Reagan was President and he was taught a Russian proverb as part of an effort to bridge the cultural gap between the two countries. The proverb was “Trust, but verify” (Russian: Doveryai, no proveryai), which he used in several meetings with his counterpart Mikhail Gorbachev. Reagan used the proverb to emphasize the need of procedures to verify compliance with the agreement

A Lifetime of Learning: An Interview with Paulo Luman

By Sarah Bradley | 30 December 2019

The industries are always changing, always evolving, whether is it oil and gas, petrochemical, energy, or wastewater. To ensure success, Paulo Luman knew that he needed to be open to new technologies, new processes, and new solutions that would come into his workplace as the time passed.

Assessing Equipment Integrity Risks: Interview with Collin Phillips

By Sarah Bradley | 23 December 2019

Collin Phillips is a Mechanical Engineer who works with the fixed equipment integrity of crude distillation and delayed coking units. He applies ASME codes and API standards for new equipment and repairs for ExxonMobil. Every day he prioritizes and assesses equipment integrity risks.

Top 10 Causes for Valve Replacement in Power Generation

By Sarah Bradley | 16 December 2019

There is no need to write about the importance of power generation, a major component of our highly technological lives. Valves are present in any power generation plant, be it fossil fueled, geothermal, hydroelectric, nuclear or solar. They are present in many services, such as feedwater, cooling water, wastewater, chemical treatment, steam circuit and fire fighting circuit, and are subject to a vast array of conditions of pressure, temperature and flow.

KACE Ball Valves: The Customer Comes First

By Sarah Bradley | 09 December 2019

After 24 years in the industry, one thing has always remained the same for KACE Ball Valves: the customers’ needs will always come first. By offering custom specialty valves, KACE is able to cater to many customers in different markets and industries.

Consider a Graphite Infused Carbon Seat for Isolation in Steam and High Temperature Applications

By Sarah Bradley | 02 December 2019

Isolating flow in critical applications and protecting key equipment remains a top priority for petrochemical and refining companies. High temperature applications pose challenges to isolation technologies requiring positive sealing, especially in critical processes where loss of product and unplanned shutdowns are extremely undesirable.

Very Cold Valves – The Diverse World of Industrial Gases: An Interview with Fred Schweighardt (Part 2)

By Sarah Bradley | 25 November 2019

Fred Schweighardt is a National Project Leader and International Expert for Airgas, an Air Liquide Company based out of Houston, Texas. In this capacity, he applies his extensive welding background to industrial gas applications in fabricating and manufacturing markets.

Very Cold Valves – The Diverse World of Industrial Gases: An Interview with Fred Schweighardt (Part 1)

By Sarah Bradley | 18 November 2019

Aiming for Efficiency in Procurement & Supply Chain Management: An Interview with Patrick Thrash (Part 2)

By Sarah Bradley | 11 November 2019

When Patrick Thrash was finishing his undergraduate degree at the University of Mississippi and moving to Houston, he was the only one headed in that direction. During his college years, he had never heard of procurement teams, and a good friend, whose father was an executive at Fluor, explained to Thrash what he did in procurement. From then on Thrash knew that was what he wanted to do.

Aiming for Efficiency in Procurement & Supply Chain Management (Part 1)

By Sarah Bradley | 04 November 2019

Four Decades of Success in the Processing Industry: An Interview with Jim Darby

By Sarah Bradley | 28 October 2019

Jim Darby has been in the process industry for a little over four decades. He began his career as a Junior Process Engineer and has progressed over the years to achieve a Senior Process Engineer position. After gaining experience in a multitude of different companies, Darby began working with Paton Engineers and Constructors in Sarnia, Ontario, and has held his position there for the last two and a half years.

Four Questions About Severe-Service Oil and Gas Valve Seals

By Sarah Bradley | 21 October 2019

The oil and gas industry uses a variety of valves to regulate the flow in mechanical applications. Upstream, downstream, and natural gas operations use equipment designed with valves that are essential to maintaining and controlling flow rates without allowing any leakage to protect people, equipment, and the environment.

How Valves Can Help Drive the Factory of the Future: An Interview with Yannick Schilly (Part 2)

By Sarah Bradley | 14 October 2019

In Yannick Schilly’s expansive career he has helped small and medium-sized factories accomplish the sophistication of mega corporations. In the ever-growing global drive to expand the capabilities of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), Schilly has seen first-hand the advantages of using intelligent valves and equipment to build factories of the future.

How Valves Can Help Drive the Factory of the Future: An Interview with Yannick Schilly (Part 1)

By Sarah Bradley | 07 October 2019

Entering the Age of Technology: An Interview with Bill Patrick

By Sarah Bradley | 30 September 2019

Recently various industries have seen drastic changes in the technology being used to perform daily tasks. As someone who has been working in the chemical industry for 30 years, Bill Patrick has witnessed the evolution of how projects, training, and day-to-day tasks have changed with the introduction of new technology. An Improvement Leader for Piping Technology at Dow Inc., Patrick has seen this technology in action, and has also been able to use and gain experience in this changing environment

An Inside Look at SUEZ – Water Technologies & Solutions (Part 2)

By Sarah Bradley | 23 September 2019

SUEZ – Water Technologies & Solutions, as part of parent company, SUEZ Group, is a leader in the water and industrial process treatment industry. Based in Paris, France, SUEZ Group has more than 90,000 employees spread across five continents. As the call for action to improve environmental issues continues to grow, SUEZ is committed to the smart and sustainable management of water resources, treatment, and resource recovery by supporting its customers.

An Inside Look at SUEZ – Water Technologies & Solutions (Part 1)

By Sarah Bradley | 16 September 2019

Innovation Solution Optimizes Produced Water Disposal: Solar Power System Enables Remote Operation of Automated Valves on Water Gathering Pipelines

By Sarah Bradley | 09 September 2019

Water is considered a byproduct of oil and gas production and must be carefully managed. This water, usually referred to as ‘produced water’, is the largest volume waste stream associated with upstream petroleum operations.

Knowledge is Always Critical When Time is of the Essence: Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant gets Valve Upgrade

By Sarah Bradley | 02 September 2019

The Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant is the largest sewage treatment facility in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, treating 450 million gallons per day. Built in the 1950s, this facility has undergone several upgrades to keep up with population growth and ensure it continues to meet requirements of the Clean Water Act.

The Importance of Flow Monitoring in the World of Wastewater Treatment

By Sarah Bradley | 26 August 2019

Wastewater treatment is not something most of the population of the United States thinks about on a daily basis. It is conducted, mostly unseen by municipalities, and goes largely unappreciated by many. However, it’s a key part of everyday survival that allows humans to stay hydrated, bathe, clean dishes, launder clothing, and perform a variety of tasks that keep them alive and healthy.

Know Your Equipment: An Interview with George Corfield – Mining Engineer, P.E., P. Eng., MBA, CPMM

By Sarah Bradley | 19 August 2019

George Corfield is a professional Maintenance and Operations Manager and Mining Engineer, with more than 20 years of experience. His expertise lies in problem solving, operations, cost analysis, and strategic planning. Corfield works from his Mesa, AZ, USA office and uses his skills and experience to consult companies in organizing and coaching teams to affect solutions and solve complex problems in maintenance, equipment rebuilding, mineral and chemical processing, and asset management.

Driving Industrial Innovation in the Chemical & Petrochemical Sector:An Interview with Celso Ferreira Ramos Neto, Procurement Manager / South East MRO Coordinator, Braskem

By Sarah Bradley | 12 August 2019

The chemical and petrochemical industry in Brazil is driven by one well-reputed player, Braskem. Valve World Americas was pleased to sit down with Celso Ferreira Ramos Neto, Procurement Manager for Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo at Braskem to discuss the company’s product procurement protocols, vendors list, material selection methods, plant turnarounds and what the future holds in the increasingly digital industrial environment.

Cryogenic Valve Seals for Space Applications

By Sarah Bradley | 06 August 2019

Since the beginning of time, mankind has gazed into the sky with intrigue and the dream of space travel. The speed of technology is constantly changing the world around us, so it is difficult to believe that today’s cryogenic rocket engine is virtually the same as the original design. The rocket engine is controlled by a computer that receives instructions from the vehicle that are delivered to the engine’s valve actuation systems with the valves being the main contributor to engine function.

Playing the Testing Game in Valves – Fugitive Emissions

By Sarah Bradley | 29 July 2019

Fugitive Emissions are emissions of gases and/or vapors due to an unanticipated leak from pressurized equipment such as valves, pumps, compressors typically in a Chemical, Petrochemical, LNG or Refinery applications. TEmissions from Refineries and Chemical/Petrochemical plants can be broadly referred as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) emitting in the atmosphere in plant applications or Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs).

Dow: Better Insight into Torque Data

By Sarah Bradley | 22 July 2019

“The sizing of actuators for on/off valves is an issue which needs more attention in the industry. One of the problems is that there is no international standard for testing and validation of torque data by valve manufacturers. These ‘paper’ data need to be supported by documentation that proves how these data are generated.”

The Story of Juice Box Drilling

By Sarah Bradley | 16 July 2019

There have been many classic novels written about the sea. The Old Man and the Sea by Hemingway, The Voyage of the Beagle by Darwin and of course, the epic search for the great whale: Moby Dick by Herman Melville. Some of these epic tales were penned with some of most beautiful language of those times. By Andre Gafford – Sr. Partner, DeLeon Business Consulting Group

A Predictive Smart Valve Application

By Sarah Bradley | 09 July 2019

Control valves are used throughout the process industry. Understanding the condition of these valves could be of significant value to the operators of these plants. To minimize unplanned downtime, operators can use early symptoms of degradation to reduce unexpected valve failures. By Aaron Shelly – Senior Data Scientist & David Siegel – CTO, Predictronics & Mohamed Abuali – Managing Partner, IoTco

Valve World Americas Expo & Conference 2019 a Success

By Sarah Bradley | 02 July 2019

The fifth staging of Valve World Americas Expo & Conference, organized by KCI Publishing Corporation and Messe Düsseldorf North America, was held on June 19th and 20th at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas.

A Visit to Hoover Dam - An Inside Tour of an Architectural and Engineering Marvel

By Sarah Bradley | 24 June 2019

An industrial wonder of the world, Hoover Dam is a concrete arch-gravity dam in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River, located near Boulder City, Nevada, on the border of Arizona. Constructed between 1931 and 1936 during the Great Depression, it was originally known as Boulder Dam. It was officially renamed Hoover Dam, for President Herbert Hoover, by a joint resolution of Congress in 1947. By Sarah Bradley & Angelica Pajkovic.

Valve Sealing Parameters

By Sarah Bradley | 19 June 2019

When it comes to selecting the appropriate sealing technology for valves, a number of different areas need to be evaluated. The type of valve is important but the expectation for sealing performance is also significant. The medium being sealed, pressures and temperatures, and external influences on the valve are all essential factors to consider when choosing the sealing technology. The following is a brief overview of some of the areas to review prior to selection of an optimized sealing elemen

Standardization Critical to Raise the Bar

By Sarah Bradley | 10 June 2019

Standardization in the oil and gas sector is imperative to ‘raise the bar’, for example in terms of fugitive emissions. “Within the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (IOGP), various end users have agreed upon base requirements, some of which have repercussions for valve industry. In general, this doesn’t require a huge effort from the supply side.” By Lucien Joppen & Catarina Muia.

Authorities and Industry – Wake Up and Smell the Coffee!

By Sarah Bradley | 03 June 2019

Exactly this month 12 years ago, I retired as instrumentation engineering associate! A dozen years already! I had other plans, but life happens, and I got deeply involved in what I would call now “TorqueGate”! After water-, diesel- and other gate scandals, unless we take action, a TorqueGate scandal will pop up sooner or later! By Henk Hinssen – iHandl Engineering.

Brighter Days Ahead for the Brazilian Valve Market

By Sarah Bradley | 27 May 2019

Brazil’s ‘Golden Years’ saw success and prosperity in the energy and processing industries. Due to actions carried out by the federal government, the country experienced a downfall for the past five years. Consultant, João Carlos Vitorino, Eng, MBA, discusses how the new government is bringing hope for 2020 and the importance of keeping industry workers safe, while protecting the environment by controlling fugitive emissions. By Catarina Muia and Stephanie Matas.

The Importance of Exotic Alloys in the Chemical Industry

By Sarah Bradley | 20 May 2019

The world of chemicals is a vast one, with each chemical combination triggering unique reactions. For Tom Sandbrook, an Engineering Fellow who works with applications such as hoses, couplings, valves, and pipes, knowing how each chemical will react to certain metals is crucial in order to avoid both minor, and fatal accidents. By Catarina Muia and Angelica Pajkovic.

How the Right Supply Chain Can Reduce Risk & Costs and Why the Oil Price Matters Less than you Might Think

By Sarah Bradley | 13 May 2019

The oil price is a source of endless fascination in our industry. Entire careers are built on following its daily peaks and troughs. No wonder: for companies in the oil and gas industry, the oil price provides us with one of very few indicators of likely future demand for our products and services. It is important. But for engineering procurement and construction (EPC) companies in the sector, it matters less than you might think on a short-to-medium term basis. By Dan Munro - CEO, PJ Valves

Weight or Space? Optimization Effects of Compact Actuator Technology in an Offshore Processing Facility

By Sarah Bradley | 06 May 2019

Compact actuator technology is often credited for helping designers of offshore facilities (such as floating production, storage, and offloading vessels (FPSO) & floating liquefied natural gas vessels (FLNG)) to optimize valuable space & weight on the facility. Because compact actuators usually require considerably more machining than conventional scotch-yoke designs, customers typically weigh the benefits versus the costs of compact technology. By Sarang Tipre, Cameron, a Schlumberger company

Exploring the Depths of the Subsea Sector

By Sarah Bradley | 28 April 2019

Valve World Americas had the opportunity to speak with independent consultant Euthymios J. Euthymiou, former Senior Consultant in Subsea Valves and Technical Category Head in Valves for PETROBRAS, to discuss his impressive career trajectory, his attentiveness to spur innovation and the importance of sharing knowledge to increase awareness in the valve industry. By Stephanie Matas

Engaging Young Engineers Through Education

By Sarah Bradley | 22 April 2019

Valve World Americas had the opportunity to speak with Gilbert Alonzo, mechanical engineer once employed at Dow Chemical and BP Production and Exploration, as well as the subject-matter expert for valves. With such a vast amount of experience and knowledge in the industry, training has been a priority for him within all the different disciplines, from learning the basics about valves and how to troubleshoot, to knowing that a quarter-turn ball valve should not be used for throttling.

Fit for the Application Control Valve Approach

By Sarah Bradley | 16 April 2019

A recent major project used the CONVAL Adapter Tool (CAT) Consult service during the detailed engineering control valve sizing & selection phase to analyze, verify and validate the process data and the vendor data to ensure the project selected only fit for the application control valves. By Henk Hinssen - iHandl Engineering

Zero Leakage in Cryogenic Applications

By Sarah Bradley | 01 April 2019

Applications in low temperature ranges are referred to as cryogenic applications in professional circles, and are becoming ever more important in the era of energy transition. Due to the increased storage and further recycling of LNG (liquefied natural gas), the demand for plants in the cryogenic area has strongly increased in recent years. By Michael Knorr – General Manager, müller quadax gmbh

How to Convert Gearing on Resilient Wedge Gate Valves

By Sarah Bradley | 25 March 2019

Resilient wedge gate valves are widely used in water systems, as they serve critical functions of supplying water, controlling flow, isolating sections of pipeline, and isolating pressure zones. By Amanda Owens, Application Engineer; Anton Nasledov, Product Manager - Mueller Water Products, Inc.

Addressing Certified Low Leak Valve Sealing Technology in a Plant

By Sarah Bradley | 18 March 2019

Many plants are faced with increasing scrutiny on fugitive emissions, particularly from valves. Valves are typically responsible for over half of the fugitive emissions in a plant. This results in a high degree of examination for assessment and leakage reduction. A large refinery, or chemical plant, can have over 100,000 valves and finding leaks can be a difficult task. By Scott Boyson & Juan Cid – A.W. Chesterton Company

Valve Actuators:Technologies and Trends

By Sarah Bradley | 11 March 2019

Traditionally, valve actuation has been less well publicized and potentially construed as less important in the world of flow control than valves. But that is changing, and at an accelerating rate. This article will explore market drivers, significant developments and emerging trends that are behind this refining focus on valve automation.

A Career in the Oil Industry - An Interview with Bill Salmons – Project Engineer and Project Manager

By Sarah Bradley | 04 March 2019

Having worked for more than 44 years in various industries with 26 in the oil industry, William Salmons gained an immense amount of knowledge about the ins and outs of many different sectors. As a former Area Engineer, Project Engineer, and Project Manager for Phillips 66/Conoco, Salmons held the responsibility of finding the best-suited materials and applications for each project, as well as the most cost-effective.

Valves for Fracking Sand Manufacturing Plants

By Sarah Bradley | 25 February 2019

Hydraulic fracturing has increased in many parts of the world as other energy sources such as coal bed methane production stagnates or decreases.

Weight or Space? Optimization Effects of Compact Actuator Technology in an Offshore Processing Facility

By Sarah Bradley | 18 February 2019

Compact actuator technology is often credited with helping designers of offshore facilities (such as floating production, storage, and offloading vessels (FPSO) and floating liquefied natural gas vessels (FLNG)) to optimize valuable space and weight on the facility. Because compact actuators usually require considerably more machining than conventional scotch-yoke designs, customers typically weigh the benefits versus the costs of compact technology.

How the Government Shutdown is Impacting Industry

By Sarah Bradley | 11 February 2019

Amid disagreements between Congress and President Donald Trump regarding federal funding for a wall along the border between the U.S. and Mexico, the government enacted a partial shutdown on December 22, 2018. As of January 14, the shutdown had entered its 24th day, making this the longest government shutdown in U.S. History.

Building Projects from Scratch that Make an Impact

By Sarah Bradley | 04 February 2019

For more than 30 years, Steve Tourigny has been involved in the design, development and management of many products, processes, plants and businesses. Through his experience, he gained expertise with startups, helping companies get key projects off the ground. With extensive engineering, operations and partnering experience, he now works has an independent consultant servicing a variety of industries in an advisory capacity.

A Radical New Innovation in Magnetic Valves

By Sarah Bradley | 29 January 2019

Then to Now: Valve packings have been employed for hundreds of years, and though modern high tech, low emissions gland packings bear little resemblance to the leather or jute gland seals of olden days, they do not alter the fundamental problem: Once a valve reaches the end user, the manufacturer cannot control the environment it will be subjected to – dirt, grit, salt, corrosion, and caustic working fluids all take their toll. By Ned Davis – Plexis Engineering

Maintaining Peak Performance

By Sarah Bradley | 21 January 2019

Power Generation is perhaps under even more scrutiny than other industries to clean up its act, due to our historical reliance on CO2 producing Coal Fired power stations which are frequently cited as a major factor that has led to Global Warming. The burning of fossil fuels to generate power is likely, however, to remain a core part of electricity generation for the foreseeable future.

Proper Commissioning Saves Time and Money

By Sarah Bradley | 15 January 2019

If you had just bought a new high performance sports car, you would likely protect your investment by following the manufacturer’s instructions for breaking in the engine. You would also probably leave the spare tire in the trunk so that a flat would not leave you stranded on the side of the road.

Solving Problems Unique to Various Industries

By Sarah Bradley | 08 January 2019

A customer-oriented approach combined with experience in a variety of industries has helped Tolsa Arslan become an expert in maintaining and servicing a variety of pumps and valves and other hydraulic equipment. By Michelle Segrest - Contributing Editor

Trends in Wastewater Treatment and Implications for Valves

By Sarah Bradley | 18 December 2018

Water is an indispensable natural resource as it is directly linked to the preservation of life, the generation of energy, and economic development. With the expansion of the world’s population and the increase of droughts or flooding in certain regions, the need for clean water will continue to escalate. This development will not only impact the water production industry, but will also have a major impact on the waste water treatment infrastructure.

Designing Basic & Detailed Processes for Mega Methanol Plants

By Sarah Bradley | 04 December 2018

George Gabriel discusses his experience designing the basic and detailed processes of mega methanol plants. As a senior process engineer, he provided interesting insight into the various valves that are used in methanol plants and highlighted the importance of working on a project from its inception to its completion. The years of experience as a process chemical engineer prepared Gabriel for his current dynamic role as Engineering Manager, overseeing the production of methanol from natural gas.

Implementation of a Successful Enhanced Leak Detection & Repair Program

By Sarah Bradley | 27 November 2018

With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Dan Devine began his career in 1987 working for the Union Carbide Corporation after graduating from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering. He joined a major chemical company in 2001 through the acquisition of Union Carbide. Dan recently retired and is now working in a valve and piping consulting engineer role as an independent contractor through Midland Engineering, Ltd.By Sarah Bradley & Stephanie Matas

What is Best - Pipe Repair or Replacement?

By Sarah Bradley | 20 November 2018

Aging infrastructure in the waterworks sector is an ongoing problem. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) provides a four-year report card on the state of our infrastructure, and the water sector in the United States received a grade of “D” on the 2017 Infrastructure Report Card. Clearly, much work is needed to bring our water systems up to par. An Interview with John Lamica - Cobb County- Marietta Water Authority & Cody Snell - Mueller Water Products

Small, Fast, Dynamic: Brownfield, Greenfield, Offshore and Onshore Projects

By Sarah Bradley | 12 November 2018

In 2009, when the oil and gas industry was facing one of the biggest downcycles in recent history, Carlos Pagan was one of the few who managed to weather the storm, demonstrating a resilience and flexibility that would set him apart throughout his career. Pagan discusses the many projects and roles he has taken on since completing his Mechanical Engineering degree at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez and moving to the United States. By Sarah Bradley

Valve Opportunities in an Evolving Power Generation Market

By Sarah Bradley | 06 November 2018

Power generation is a major market for valves, accounting for 13% of global industrial valve sales. As the world continues to build electric generating capacity, it is also accelerating toward a lower-carbon economy, with the power sector playing a significant role in successfully achieving that objective. This article reviews the trends in the global power market and considers their impact on future valve sales. By Matjaž Matošec – Research Manager, Resolute Research

Successfully Completing an Enhanced Leak Detection & Repair Program

By Sarah Bradley | 30 October 2018

Enhanced Leak Detection and Repair Programs (ELPs) or (Enhanced LDRPs), are used by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to enforce the actions that refineries and chemical plants must take to attain standard regulatory compliance. ELPs cover a number of elements such as quality control, training, monitoring, repairs and equipment upgrades. The use of ELPs have become common in the industries through a legal process called a Consent Decrees. By Dan Devine - Midland Engineering

Phillips 66: Inspiring Innovation in Fugitive Emissions Technology

By Sarah Bradley | 23 October 2018

After 34 years of experience in the energy industry, Tim Goedeker, Senior Principal Environmental Consultant for Phillips 66, knows the value of experience and the importance of innovation. Starting his career as a Technical Service Engineer in the oil refining sector and moving into the environmental side with HSE-Refining, Tim has a vast knowledge and understanding of this ever evolving industry. By Angelica Pajkovic & Sarah Bradley

Donald Wiedemeyer, a giant man with a giant personality - obituary

By Sarah Bradley | 17 October 2018

It is with great sadness that we report of the death of our colleague, boss, friend, mentor and – above all - inspirator, Donald Wiedemeyer, at the age of 58.

Combine Hard and Soft Skills for an Effective Energy Management Program

By Sarah Bradley | 16 October 2018

Bill Allemon is an electrical engineer with an MBA and has found a niche using both his engineering and business skills. He develops and implements strategic energy management plans leveraging Operational Excellence tools. He said that throughout his career, he has found himself somewhere between the C-Suite and field operations, communicating strategic concepts and nebulous goals into effective strategies that deliver value for his clients. By Michelle Segrest - Contributing Editor

Eastman Chemical: Education and Collaboration for Overcoming in a Complex Manufacturing Environment

By Sarah Bradley | 09 October 2018

Valve World Americas was thrilled to have the opportunity to speak to young professionals, Mechanical Engineer Stephen Henson and Piping Engineer Patrick Wasserman, about the best parts of the job, the challenges they face, the tools that make it possible and how they bring out each other’s personal best through collaboration, coaching and sharing. By Sarah Bradley

Tackling the “Skilled Trades Stigma”

By Sarah Bradley | 25 September 2018

Mikel Janitz, Territory Manager & Applications Engineer for Bezares USA, discusses his various roles and opportunities he has had in his career. As president of the International Fluid Power Society (IFPS) Chapter 63, an association dedicated to advancing professional careers in the fluid power workforce and Mid-Continent Tulsa Executive Board Chairman for ASME, Janitz had a lot to say about the importance of mentorship and working to promote careers in the industrial sectors.

LNG: Significant Opportunities for Cryogenic Valves

By Sarah Bradley | 18 September 2018

Quenching the world’s thirst for energy while mitigating climate change and air pollution is one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century. Natural gas, particularly in liquefied form, is becoming increasingly utilized as a bridge to a low-carbon economy. To support this trend, additional LNG infrastructure is required, which provides significant opportunities for manufacturers of cryogenic valves.By Matjaž Matošec – Research Manager, Resolute Research

Engineering at Sea and on Land with ExxonMobil

By Sarah Bradley | 11 September 2018

Running the engineering department on an aircraft carrier during the first Gulf War prepared Bruce Ames for a lifelong career that kept him busy in all types of industries— paper, power, trucking, and more. Now, a lubrication engineer with ExxonMobil, he uses his diverse skills to develop programs to help his customers save money, energy, and time. By Michelle Segrest - Contributing Editor

Valve Purchases by the Six Largest Food Companies

By Sarah Bradley | 05 September 2018

The food industry will spend $1.8 billion per year for valves over the next five years. (1) Many U.S. food companies have become truly international and make valve decisions in the U.S. for installation in the rest of the world. Four of the top six purchasers are U.S based. By Bob McIlvaine - The McIlvaine Company

How Valves are Used Throughout a Candy Manufacturing Plant

By Sarah Bradley | 29 August 2018

On a recent trip to Arizona, the Valve World Americas team took a behind-the-scenes factory tour of the Ceretta Candy Company in the city of Glendale to see the many different ways components such as valves can be used throughout a candy manufacturing plant. By Candace Allison

Easing the Pressure: Water Services Provider Tackles the Challenge of Pressure Regulation

By Sarah Bradley | 19 August 2018

Providers of water management services strive to help businesses reduce costs and improve the efficiency of their water and wastewater infrastructures. However, their success depends on effectively tackling the challenge of water pressure regulation and head loss. All too often, this entails having heavy and cumbersome technology, which restricts the installation options and creates unwanted operational challenges. By Neil Poxon - Oxford Flow

APS: Training the Nuclear Industry’s Next Generation

By Sarah Bradley | 13 August 2018

For more than 130 years, the Arizona Public Service Company (APS) has powered Arizona’s growth, prosperity and innovation. APS continues to be the state’s largest and longest serving electric utility, providing 2.7 million people with safe and reliable energy. Palo Verde Generating Station is the largest source of carbon-free electricity in the United States, with 6,400 MW of generating capacity and one gigawatt of renewable energy. By Candace Allison & Sarah Bradley

ExxonMobil Fuels & Lubricants - Energy Efficient Engineering

By Sarah Bradley | 08 August 2018

When it comes to working with customers to solve lubrication and engineering problems, Adam McMurtrey relies on a lifetime of experience that goes all the way back to his childhood. For ExxonMobil’s Mobil Serv program, he works closely with industries ranging from lead mines to chicken rendering plants—always with energy efficient lubrication at the forefront of every solution. By Michelle Segrest, Contributing Editor

Leak Prevention in a 100-Year-Old Andeavor Refinery

By Sarah Bradley | 30 July 2018

Valve World Americas had the pleasure of speaking with Larry Wilkerson, Supervisor of Air Fugitives at the Andeavor's Golden Eagle Refinery in Contra Costa County, California. He was delighted to discuss how he ended up in an environmental role, the main cause of leaks at the plant and the measures that are taken to prevent them from occurring.

Acceptable Risk

By Sarah Bradley | 23 July 2018

Valve World Americas had the pleasure of speaking to John-Paul Schmidt, Piping Stress Leader at Dow Chemical, about working with clients to design projects, calculating risk, common challenges with equipment, as well as the best and most challenging aspects of the job. By Jody Hewitt

Isolate the Problem to Solve the Problem

By Sarah Bradley | 16 July 2018

A small company president’s role involves much more than sitting in a corner office. Jody Millsap gets his hands dirty. “My personality is not that I can be content sitting in an office,” he said. “I like to interact with the customers, help with sales calls and getting my hands on the equipment. President is just a title. You have to be a jack of all trades. I like to be out doing stuff and staying busy.” By Michelle Segrest - Contributing Editor

BASF's MVV Phase 3 Takes Valve Procurement to the Next Level

By Candace Allison | 11 July 2018

As the world’s largest chemicals company, BASF operates hundreds of sites in over eighty countries. Making sure these sites – which are often highly integrated – run safely and efficiently is naturally critical to BASF’s profitability in highly competitive global markets. Strategic procurement initiatives are therefore in place that both safeguard the supply of valves as well as reduce the total cost of ownership, explains Mr. Holger Suhren, Global Category Manager Valves. By David Sear

V-Port Ball Valves vs. Globe Valves for Control Applications

By Candace Allison | 03 July 2018

In most process applications there are two different types of valves used: on/off and control. On/off valves are simply for allowing full flow or stopping flow completely. Control valves, in contrast, have the ability to control the AMOUNT of flow, also known as throttling. Written by Brian Booth from Assured Automation

Piping Engineering for Complex Oil, Gas & Petrochemical Projects

By Candace Allison | 19 June 2018

Mahsa Bakherad began her career in Iran as a Piping Engineer through an internship program. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Metallurgy Engineering and earning a Masters in Materials Engineering – Corrosion & Protection, Mahsa has gained over a decade of experience working in Oil & Gas and Petrochemical plants. Valve World Americas had the opportunity to meet with Mahsa in Houston, Texas to learn more about her experiences working in Piping Engineering.

Keeping Braskem's PP5 on Track: An Interview with Inspection Engineer Roberto Funger

By Candace Allison | 13 June 2018

Braskem's petrochemical refinery near the town of Duque de Caxias is nestled amidst green hills less than an hour’s drive from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The sprawling site hosts several chemical plants involved in the production of raw materials and further processed chemical products including polypropylene and polyethylene. Valve World Americas visited the site to speak with Mr. Roberto Funger, Senior Inspection Engineer in the Maintenance Department during a recent visit. By Joanne McIntyre

End user Interview: Knowledge Transfer Essential Following Large Projects

By Candace Allison | 05 June 2018

An interview with Mr. Bhaskar Shitolé, who is the Deputy Discipline Manager of Piping with the global EPC company Amec Foster Wheeler. Amec Foster Wheeler is a multinational consultancy, engineering and project management company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. Focusing on the oil and gas, minerals and metals, clean energy, environment and infrastructure markets, the company has offices in over 55 countries worldwide. Written by Joanne McIntyre and Sarah Bradley

End user Interview: Developing Valve Specifications in an Ever Evolving Industry

By Candace Allison | 31 May 2018

Having worked with valves for the majority of his career, Rajan Hingoraney, Consultant, Intervalve, Inc. knows a great deal about the importance of quality and standards. He graduated from the Indian Institute of Technology and went on to receive a scholarship from the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, where he completed his Masters’ degree in Chemical Engineering. Written by Sarah Bradley

Taking a Bird’s Eye View: How Aviation is Kick-starting Innovation in Oil & Gas Pipelines

By Candace Allison | 29 May 2018

The 3.6 million miles of pipelines that support the flow of oil and gas throughout upstream, midstream and downstream operations are among the most vital systems underpinning the entire industry. Yet surprisingly, the components of these pipelines are an area where engineering innovation has remained largely unchanged for decades. By Neil Poxon of Oxford Flow

Doing Valves Right: With ExxonMobil’s Sr. Mechanical Consultant

By Candace Allison | 22 May 2018

Rudy Garza began his career with ExxonMobil (then Exxon) in 1990 as a facilities engineer. Twenty six years later, he’s still employed as a Sr. Mechanical Consultant in ExxonMobil’s Static Equipment Group (i.e. heat exchangers, tanks, pressure vessels, piping, and valves). One of Garza’s core responsibilities is providing advanced technical support to ExxonMobil’s Upstream producing affiliates. Written by Richard Heyl.

Liquified Natural Gas: The Fuel of the Future for Shipping and Transport

By Candace Allison | 15 May 2018

As the drive towards good environmental stewardship continues to intensify, Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) has been making great strides as the cleaner burning “fuel of choice” for shipping and transport. Written by By Sean Andersen, LNG Specialist, Dixon Valve and Coupling Company.

Upgraded Valve and Actuation System Keep Los Angelenos Safe

By Candace Allison | 08 May 2018

Safety and the need to avoid an environmental catastrophe led Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant, the largest sewage treatment facility in the Los Angeles Metropolitan area, to start repairs in 2016 on a corroded five-mile-long outfall, or pipe, and pump header that release 230 million gallons of treated wastewater into the Pacific Ocean every day. Written by Allen Ruef, Moog Inc.

End-user Interview: Adapting to New Guidelines in the Petrochemical Industry

By Candace Allison | 01 May 2018

Steve Butler, Valve, Piping and Gasket Subject Matter Expert, has been working in the petrochemical industry for over 28 years in the fields of static equipment, rotating equipment, reliability and safety. Valve World Americas recently had the pleasure of meeting Steve in Houston, Texas to discuss his experiences with product testing and his thoughts on the lack of new engineers entering the valve industry – one of the industry’s biggest issues. Written by Sarah Bradley

Lowest Total Cost of Ownership Validation (LTCOV) for Valves Essential for Success

By Candace Allison | 24 April 2018

There is a sea change in the route to market for valves. One aspect is that IIoT and data analytics will be providing vast amounts of data on total cost of ownership (TCO). Current data will be available to the operator’s corporate specialists who increasingly will be making the major purchasing decisions. By Robert McIlvaine – The McIlvaine Company

Precise Calculation Leads to High Equipment Performance: Interview with Johan Meijer

By Candace Allison | 10 April 2018

Johan Meijer has spent the past four decades solving engineering problems related to pumping system design—working closely with valves, pumps, and hoses. His experience and knowledge became so deep he developed a powerful and strategic calculation program for high pressure peristaltic pumps that is provided free to end users. Written By Michelle Segrest – Contributing Editor

Expansion of the Obtainable High-Performance Valve Market

By Candace Allison | 03 April 2018

There is a sea change in the obtainable market for high performance valves. High performance is defined as either valves in critical or severe service. However, this high-performance category has now been expanded to include general purpose valves which are packaged into a unique system including controls and remote monitoring and service. By Robert McIlvaine – The McIlvaine Company

Catalysis: Recent Chemical Advances Accelerate Change

By Candace Allison | 27 March 2018

In chemistry, catalysis is a means of accelerating a chemical reaction between various chemicals. In a broader sense it denotes any object, activity or event that accelerates or triggers a change. In recent years the chemicals industry is catalyzing change across a whole range of industries and helping to make them more sustainable. Written by James Chater

Interview with Rhinegeist Brewery Facilities and Maintenance Manager Justin Farmer

By Candace Allison | 20 March 2018

Justin Farmer has worked in food and beverage processing more than half his life. As a teenager, he learned from his father, who was a master electrician and an industrial maintenance manager and engineer. He started at the bottom, but quickly earned the experience and knowledge to work his way into a leadership role at Rhinegeist Brewery in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he is transforming the maintenance and reliability programs of the historic brewery. By Michelle Segrest

The dangers of non-OEM valve parts

By Candace Allison | 12 March 2018

Non-Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) supply valve parts to the process industry at prices that are 30 to 40 percent less than the list price from the original manufacturer, and claim to meet or even exceed the quality of the original parts. The first part is certainly true, but the quality claim is questionable at best. Written by Karl Lanes, Emerson

Castings: An Introduction and Requirements in Review of Valve Casting Manufacturers

By Candace Allison | 27 February 2018

The most common method of manufacturing valves, pumps and large components is done by using casting of metal by heating the scrap, raw metal, catalyst and pouring into a mold. All this is conducted at foundries. Written by Barry Messer & Gobind Khiani – Fluor Canada

Fugitive Emissions: Understanding API Standards for Valves & Packing

By Candace Allison | 20 February 2018

Since the introduction of the U.S. Clean Air Act in 1963, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and individual states have set increasingly stringent consent decrees for fugitive emissions from industrial facilities. Many companies have implemented Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) programs, and industry groups have focused their efforts on helping member companies decrease valve emissions. Written by Greg Cole of A.W. Chesterton

Safety is a Top Priority Philip Ovanessians, VP Americas Petroleum & Chemicals Supply Chain Management – Jacobs

By Candace Allison | 13 February 2018

Valve World Americas recently sat down for an informal lunch with Philip Ovanessians, who has twenty years of experience managing the supply of industrial components and equipment destined for capital projects.

Valve Purchases by the Top 2000 Prospects

By Candace Allison | 06 February 2018

In 2018 purchases of industrial valves will exceed $64 billion. Most of these purchases will be made or influenced by 2000 companies and just 20,000 people (1). Two hundred companies will purchase 20 percent of the total. Several large company purchases will exceed $500 million each. The top 20 companies will account for 7 percent of the total. Written by Robert McIlvaine of The McIlvaine Company.

Let’s Eliminate Valve Problems: An Interview with a Principal Piping Engineer

By Candace Allison | 31 January 2018

Valve World Americas recently met Mr. Tokujiro Shoji, Principal Piping Engineer, JGC Corporation to hear about the company's latest initiatives to eliminate valve problems.

Importance of Third Party Inspection

By Candace Allison | 24 January 2018

The question of 'how important is a true third-party valve Inspection company to the valve industry?' is answered in this article written by Jordan Finn & Gary Davis – IMV Services.

The Role of Highly Engineered Check Valves in the LNG Industry

By Candace Allison | 16 January 2018

"The importance of the check valve is indisputable. Created with the sole purpose of directing fluids in a single direction and preventing the reversal of any fluids or gases, check valves have an important place in a myriad of industries, LNG being one of them," states Carlos E. Davila in this informative article.

Working Together for Success in a Global Company

By Candace Allison | 02 January 2018

Few people at Fluor have as much experience as Claire Dwyer, Piping Material Engineer. A Fluor veteran of twenty-nine years, Dwyer started her career as a Piping Material Engineer while still attending school in South Africa. Sarah Bradley, Editor-in-Chief of Valve World Americas, sat down with Claire to discuss the challenges of working for a global company.

Case Study: Bringing Valves to Life With IoT

By Candace Allison | 19 December 2017

Valves have long had the ability to automatically shut on and off – an invaluable function that vastly improves safety across many industries, from mining and industrial manufacturing to simple building maintenance and home ownership. Now, with the power of the Internet of Things (IoT) technology, valves can essentially become “smart"... Written by Guy Weitzman - Atomation

Wafer Style Axial Flow Check Valves vs. Dual Disc Check Valves

By Candace Allison | 12 December 2017

This case study details an examination of hydraulic shock in 60 million gallons per day water treatment facility located in a South Eastern US County Water Department. Written by Jim Bachmann, DFT Inc., Exton, Pennsylvania

Four Trends Changing Valve Control in the US Power Industry

By Candace Allison | 13 November 2017

Around the world, the ways we generate electric power are in transition. From coal and gas to renewables, from traditional baseload to cycling plant designs, power producers are adapting to meet changing consumer and market demands. As power generation gets more diverse and complex, producers—and their control valve suppliers—must become more focused and flexible. By Emerson

Meeting the requirements in a corrosive chemical environment

By Sarah Bradley | 18 August 2017

The Society of Piping Engineers and Designers is an International organization promoting Excellence and Quality in Piping Design and Engineering through networking, training and certification programs. It is comprised of a headquarters in Houston, Texas with chapters in Houston, Calgary, Perth, Louisville, Ontario and a worldwide community of individual members.

Line Separation and Quick Disconnects

By Sarah Bradley | 01 January 0001

When faced with the need to join two fluid lines that must occasionally be separated, the system designer has many options to consider.

Top 10 Causes for Valve Replacement in Power Generation

By Sarah Bradley | 01 January 0001

Diagnosis & Remedy: Automatic Control Valves

By Sarah Bradley | 01 January 0001

Automatic control valves are often viewed as simple pieces of equipment – they open, close, or modulate to control water pressure, flow, level, or pumps. Automatic control valves are found all over the world in varying areas such as irrigation, fire protection, aviation, building trades, and waterworks distribution systems to name a few.

Lowest Total Cost of Ownership Validation (LTCOV) for Valves Essential for Success

By Candace Allison | 01 January 0001

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