I was recently asked how the installed flow characteristic of an equal percentage valve in a system that includes a significant amount of pipe or other pressure-consuming elements "magically" becomes a linear, or approximately linear, installed flow characteristic.

In the past, bulk storage systems have been used to house nitrogen on-site at the manufacturing plants, but this method of storage can result in a significant loss in revenue. So, what is the solution for plant owners? The answer begins with in-house nitrogen generation systems. Learn more.

In the last ten years, the design of pneumatic manufacturers' online tools for sizing components has evolved, the fieldbus systems are ever-changing, component designs are constantly improving, and network devices such as the Industrial Internet of Things have reshaped the industry. Learn more.

Thermocouples and controllers themselves do not prevent a failure from occurring. What they can do is create a temperature profile for a heater that can be used as a maintenance log.

Controlling vibration and surge is one of the most critical aspects of keeping centrifugal and reciprocating compressors up and running. If improperly monitored and maintained, these types of compressors can experience frequent functional issues and ultimately shorten their life span.

Valve sizing and proper application of control valves have always gone hand-in-hand. However, the tools available to valve users have changed and improved significantly over time.

Despite the demand for standardized communication protocols among manufacturers, both the manufacturers and end users face challenges when it comes to agreeing on a path.

Proper filtration is one of the most important functions performed inside refineries. Filtration is the removal of contaminants through some type of synthetic, paper, pleated, or wound media. The goal of this process is to achieve a specific level of cleanliness.

Oil and gas engineers face a problem in accurately and reliably measuring and monitoring the various fluids that are introduced into oil pipelines from well-site pumping stations. A thorough understanding of both the oil separation process and the properties of valves and actuators is required.

When selecting the pipes and valves for a cooling system, it is important to understand the options available—and the possible outcomes associated with each selection. Many factors can impact the effectiveness, longevity, and quality of the overall cooling system. Learn more.

Inside of plants today, AC motors are becoming the industry standard. Many plants are shifting to AC motors from hydraulic motors or DC motors when powering heavy loads, which were more popular in the past. This shift can be attributed to a variety of reasons and most have to do with cost.

A specialized version of the Internet of Things (IoT), referred to as the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), enables industrial application engineers to implement new or retrofitted systems with upgraded levels of connectivity that allow more advanced process control. Learn more.

United Electric Controls has introduced a unique new family of HART capable transmitters that provides programmable switching functionality for industrial process monitoring applications. The One Series 1XTXSW transmitter line is the first to integrate HART 7 compatible 4-20 mA output. Lean more.

Workplace safety is—or should be—a primary focus of every organization, regardless of whether we're talking about a classroom, an office, a manufacturing facility, or an oil rig. Employees deserve a workspace that is as safe and secure as it can possibly be.

Precise combinations of valves and other equipment lead to process success. A biopolymer fermentation process provides an example of proper valve selection.

This is Part IV in a four-part series based on the contents of the new textbook, "Control Valve Application Technology, Techniques and Considerations for Properly Selecting the Right Control Valve."

Cavitation is the 2nd leading cause of a pump system failure. It's for this reason that a full understanding of what cavitation is, how it is caused, and how it can be prevented is critical in the fluid power industry.

In order to get good control with stability throughout the full range of required flow rates, one must use a control valve that has an installed flow characteristic that is linear, or at least as close to linear as possible in most systems.

Tasked with increased demand for high power output, many operators in North American sectors such as power generation, oil and gas, petrochemical, and chemical have been challenged by low-voltage solutions and their associated logistical challenges.

Standard practices today simply use human-machine interfaces (HMI) as windows into a system by allowing some information to be passed back and forth through those windows. This method anticipates the user having the knowledge to use that information both in and out of the system. Learn more.

When developing a practical approach to leakage and pollution prevention, plant managers have many options available for instrumentation and equipment. Depending on the process, materials, and operation, the method of ensuring the containment of potential contaminants will vary. Learn more.

The future of the petrochemical refining industry will be driven by human-machine interfaces (HMIs) pushing information to where it is needed. An HMI that pushes production, quality and alarm information to the right level of user or management anywhere in the world has the ability to increase the visibility and reaction time.

When control valve professionals talk about "control valve sizing," they really mean the entire process of selecting the valve that will do the best job of controlling the process. Selecting the right size valve is an important part of the process, but there are other equally important considerations as well.

This is Part II in a four-part series based on the contents of the new textbook, "Control Valve Application Technology, Techniques and Considerations for Properly Selecting the Right Control Valve."