The branch AGM was held on 18 January at Honeywell HUB in Secunda. All the successes of 2017 were discussed and the new committee for 2018 was elected as follows:
Secunda committee for 2018. Front (left to right): Annemarie van Coller, Johan Maritz, Xandri Cornelissen, Gerhard Swarts. Back (left to right): PJ Truter, Andrew Barnes, Johan Grobler, Iddo Japhta, Lizwe Sikunyana.
• Johan Maritz (chairman, golf day, marketing and education).
• Annemarie van Coller (vice chairman, high tea and year-end function).
• Gerhard Swarts (treasurer and media).
• Xandri Cornelissen (secretary, publications, high tea and year-end function).
• PJ Truter (technology evenings, training courses and technical papers).
• Iddo Japhta (site visits and golf day).
• Andrew Barnes (webpage).
• Lizwe Sikunyana (roadshows).
• Johan Grobler (newsletter and electronic communication).
Technology Evening
Johan Maritz (left) thanks Ian van Rensburg after the presentation.
After the AGM, Ian van Rensburg from Mitech kicked off the first Technology Evening on the topic: How to deal with cavitation in a control valve successfully. Ian described cavitation as the rapid formation and collapse of vapour bubbles, which can cause destruction in a valve through pitting damage on the internal body and seat. It is important to eliminate cavitation as this measure can reduce the downtime on a plant, as well as reducing the maintenance costs.
There are four methods to deal with cavitation:
1. The valve should be constructed of a hard-faced material. This method will not eliminate cavitation but will delay the onset of repair for the valve.
2. Installation of downstream choke plates. This method will move the cavitation area downstream and away from the valve, causing damage to the plates rather than the valve.
3. Install a cage guided valve. This method will reduce the pressure drop across the valve eliminating cavitation.
4. Severe service trims can be installed around the valve in order to reduce the pressure drop across it, similar to a cage guided valve.
The branch thanks Ian for his informative presentation.
All instrumentation and control related mechanicians, technicians and engineers are invited to attend the monthly Technology Evenings. The planned dates for the rest of the year are as follows: 1 March, 5 April, 3 May, 7 June, 5 July, 2 August, 6 September, 11 October and 1 November.
Presentations earn CPD points for ECSA registered persons and any enquiries can be directed to Johan Maritz, johanmaritz260@gmail.com, 082 856 3865.
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