Valve suppliers just joined the digital revolution in their quest to drive down total cost of ownership through performance-related monitoring solutions. What is surprising is that it took so long. After all, as final control elements, valves have earned a reputation as the ‘bad actor’ in many process control loops.
The problem is twofold. Firstly, the valve often operates unattended under extremely harsh process and ambient conditions with little (or often no) warning of problems that may be starting to appear. And secondly, the valve is often the last place anyone thinks to look, as when processes do become unstable, often the first ‘solution’ that comes to mind is that the loop needs re-tuning.
With the emergence of IIoT-enabled remote management platforms, process industry end-users can now begin to take advantage of the monitoring and analysis services provided by valve suppliers. In theory this was all possible before, but practically it was too expensive to commercialise because it involved close cooperation between the valve suppliers, IT service providers, analytics experts and the end-users themselves, who were often unwilling to make the raw process data available.
The recent advances in secure cloud-based IIoT platform offerings, along with wireless communication networks, Big Data analytic packages and advanced visualisation technology, has changed all that. But where does one start?
According to the ARC Advisory Group, end users are well advised to develop a phased approach, which includes measurable goals for each step in the process. To avoid getting caught up in the hype surrounding digital technologies, the first step should be to focus on an existing valve-related process problem that is negatively impacting day-to-day operations. Plant owners should begin by identifying their most critical assets that are prone to frequent instability or failure, and deploy feasible monitoring solutions for the valves in those crucial control loops. Severe service valves with their typically higher failure rates offer the most significant potential for cost saving, making them obvious candidates.
The latest generation of valve actuators make extremely accurate position sensing and direct measurement of valve stem travel and thrust possible. This data can be transmitted over a wireless or traditional fieldbus link, and because the information is directly measured and not interpolated, it is an ideal fit for asset management and predictive maintenance planning.
Leveraging the expertise that valve manufacturers have built up over decades just became more reachable than at any time in the past. Industrial facility operators can now have access to actionable control valve health information whenever and wherever they need it. The ARC Advisory Group’s David Clayton has more in ‘New performance management solutions for intelligent valves and pumps’.
From solar to water, onsite plants are the next big industrial resilience shift
News
South African industrial operators who secured their energy supply with onsite solar generation now face the same imperative with water. Robert Erasmus of Sanitech argues that onsite water treatment is the next essential pillar of business continuity.
Read more...From the editor's desk: Pushing engineering to the limit Technews Publishing
News
Among the many things robots can do, it’s a lot of fun to follow how fast they are. They go from the Boston Dynamics cheetah, which first reached a record-breaking speed of 45,5 km/h, to the robot Charlie ...
Read more...Schneider Electric concludes Innovation Summit Middle East and Africa Schneider Electric South Africa
News
Schneider Electric's Innovation Summit Middle East and Africa, held in Abu Dhabi with more than 2500 attendees, explored the convergence of energy, AI and industrial software, launched an Industrial AI study and announced the NEST Accelerator Programme for energy and industrial tech startups.
Read more...VEGA brings measurement expertise beyond mining to Electra Mining Africa 2026 VEGA Controls SA
News
VEGA used its Electra Mining Africa 2026 stand to demonstrate that its level and pressure measurement instruments extend well beyond mining, covering water, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and oil and gas applications across the continent.
Read more...Sustainable solutions for sugar Bearing Man Group t/a BMG
News
BMG received a Special Commendation Exhibition Stand Award at the South African Sugar Technologists’ Association Congress, where it showcased an integrated turnkey drive solution designed to simplify the upgrading of ageing crushing-mill drive systems.
Read more...Measure, Manage, Maintain: The operating model behind SA’s water resilience Siemens South Africa
News
South Africa’s growing water crisis is putting pressure on infrastructure, municipalities and the economy. Siemens highlights how digital technologies, smarter operations and safe water reuse could help shift the country from crisis response towards a more resilient and sustainable water future.
Read more...VEGA brings measurement expertise beyond mining to Electra Mining Africa 2026 VEGA Controls SA
News
VEGA used its Electra Mining Africa 2026 stand to demonstrate that its level and pressure measurement instruments extend well beyond mining, covering water, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and oil and gas applications across the continent.
Read more...Schneider Electric concludes Innovation Summit Middle East and Africa Schneider Electric South Africa
News
Schneider Electric’s Innovation Summit Middle East and Africa, held in Abu Dhabi with more than 2500 attendees, explored the convergence of energy, AI and industrial software, launched an Industrial AI study and announced the NEST Accelerator Programme.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version