Valve azine

Also…

� Learning New Cultures

� The Promise of Geothermal Energy

� Wireless Valve Automation Efficiencies

� Sizing Actuators

Fa l l 2012VOLUME 24 , NO . 4

MARKET OUTLOOK 2013: Will Natural Gas be a Driver? MARKET OUTLOOK 2013:

Will Natural Gas be a Driver?

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LIKEGOLD. But more valuable.

No matter what the application, the THERMICULITE® family of products is the

gold standard. We’re talking 0º to 1800º F, a full range of chemicals and pressures and use it as a cost effective alternative to PTFE,

Aramid, Glass and Graphite gaskets. When you factor in simplification, safety, and

environmental compliance its value just keeps on rising. With over 1,000

successful problem applications solved over the last 10 years the Thermiculite

family of products has proven it is worth its weight in gold! Talk to a Flexitallic engineer today and let us help you establish a new gold

standard for your operations.

Velan. Quality that lasts.

+1 514 748 7743www.velan.com

Meet Joe Calabrese, a mechanical engineer who’s worked at Velan head office for 18 years and travelled the world extensively for the company. Joe specializes in selling highly engineered valves, like this 36” class 900 pressure seal valve destined for a power plant in China.

What you might not know about Joe is that, in his own way, he’s a rock star: During his years on the job, he’s become an amateur geologist, amassing a significant collection of rock samples during his expeditions.

Velan: We’re more than just valves.

Editor’s Picks • Low-load gaskets

• Model generator

• Pilot-operated pressure-relief

• Electric actuator

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Read more onValveMagazine.com� Brazil: Outlook for 2013� Update on Hydraulic Fracturing� Control Valve Sizing� Measuring Stem Nut Wear� New Technology for the New Nuclear

� Generational Differences

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ValveM A G A Z I N E

Fa l l 2012VOLUME 24 , NO . 4

C O L U M N S

Perspectives 4Continuing GrowthBY BILL SANDLER

Beyond Valves 46Weld End ConnectionsBY GREG JOHNSON

Actuators & Controls 50Sizing ActuatorsBY RICH OAKS

Materials Q&A 52Titanium Valve GradesBY THOMAS SPENCE

The History of Valves 54Metal MaterialsBY GREG JOHNSON

Conversation with … 60VMA Chairman Mark CordellBY GENILEE PARENTE

D E P A R T M E N T S

Industry Capsules 6VMA Calendar 10Index to Advertisers 57VMA and VRC Member Roster 58

MARKET OUTLOOK 2013: A NEW DRIVER AT THE WHEEL?Speakers at this year’s workshop were cautiously optimisticabout the economy in general pronouncing that the nation is inrecovery mode. One theme this year from several end-userpresenters is that natural gas is changing the picture for ournation.BY KATE KUNKEL

2020LEARNING THE CONTEXT OF LOCAL CUSTOMSBy understanding the thinking that underlies accepted norms,a business visitor has a much better chance of successfulpartnerships with parties from different cultures.BY ANETA STEPHENS

1616

WHERE VALVES ARE USED:GEOTHERMAL ENERGYAs the nation seeks ways to decrease reliance on foreign oil,it looks to sources such as geothermal energy. Here’s anupdate on the industry and what’s happening with technologyand special projects.BY KATE KUNKEL

IMPROVING PROCESS EFFICIENCY WITH WIRELESS VALVE AUTOMATIONPlants around the world are replacing clipboard checks withautomated inspections and monitoring because of wirelessvalve automation. BY KURTIS JENSEN

FEATURES

5656PRODUCTS

New articles posted and news items updated regularly—

visit ValveMagazine.com

often!


EDITORIAL REVIEW BOARD

Richard D. OaksAUMA ACTUATORS, INC.

Mike HendrickCONVAL, INC.

Doug ClendeninCRANE FLOW SOLUTIONS

John WellsEMERSON PROCESSMANAGEMENT

Ed HoltgraverQTRCO, INC.

Andrew ShumanCAMERON

Christopher WarnettROTORK CONTROLS, INC.

VALVE MAGAZINE (ISSN No. 1057-2813) is the official magazine of theValve Manufacturers Association ofAmerica (VMA) and is published quarterly by VMA, located at 1050 17th Street NW, Suite 280,Washington, DC 20036-5521;202.331.8105; Fax: 202.296.0378.

Advertising queries: 540.374.9100.Periodicals postage paid at Washington,D.C., and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changesto VALVE MAGAZINE, P.O. Box 1673Williamsport, PA 17703-1673.

Subscriptions are free to qualified readers in the United States and Canada; $40 per year to unqualified readers in theUnited States and Canada; $60 per yearfor all subscribers outside the UnitedStates and Canada. Statements of factand opinion made are the responsibility of the authors alone and do not necessar-ily imply endorsement or agreement onthe part of the officers or membership of VMA. Materials may not be reproduced in any form without writtenpermission of VMA.

© Copyright 2012. All rights reserved.

The voice of the flow control industry

The voice of the flow control industry

VA

LV

E MANUFACTURERS A

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CA

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F AMERICA

VALVE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

VALVE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

Pantone 194-1 C

I f called upon to assess the mood atVMA’s 31st Annual Market Outlook

Workshop in Chicago in August, Iwould label it “somewhat optimistic”for 2013. In comments with individu-als about their business over the lasthalf year, I discovered that attendeeswere actually surprised by how longthis upswing has been sustained.

As always, what speakers said var-ied by end-user industry, but the over-all outlook going into next year wascautiously optimistic for the nearfuture, with a much more favorablepicture in the longer term.

Crowd pleaser Alan Beaulieu, presi-dent, Institute for Trend Research, out-lined for us what our immediate pastand future look like. Although resultscould vary somewhat based on certainscenarios, he shared this picture withattendees:

� 2011—Slower rate of recovery� 2012—Ongoing recovery� 2013—Flattening out and a

recession begins� 2014 —A minor recession (but

nothing like the one we’ve beenthrough)

� 2015-17—Years of positivegrowth

Kevin Geraghty, vice president,Energy Supply for NV Energy, saidthat in the power industry, the best bet for valves will be international

business opportunities, especially incoal. He said new coal deals in theU.S. were dead and existing coal busi-ness is on life support that will hang inthere for awhile longer. Our industrywill have another opportunity to hearGeraghty as he keynotes our VMATechnical Seminar & Exhibition scheduled for March 7-8, 2013 inCharlotte, NC.

Another presenter with a positivespin was Michael Higgins, director ofCorporate Strategy for AREVA Inc.,who discussed the nuclear industry. Hesaid there are currently 60 reactorsunder construction globally withalmost half of those in China. Othercountries he mentioned were France,Finland, Czech Republic, Romania,Poland, U.K. and Sweden, as well asthe U.S.

For an in-depth analysis of whatsome of our speakers said, turn topage 20.

As far as the workshop itself, itreceived very favorable comments notjust for the presentations, but for themeeting facility and staff. Also, we hadrecord attendance that included 82VMA/VRC members, as well as 52additional attendees from theHydraulic Institute, the trade associa-tion representing the pump manufac-turers and our partner at the workshopfor the last 8 years.

The next workshop is Aug. 8-9,2013 in San Diego. VM

P E R S P E C T I V E S

www.vma.org

www.ValveMagazine.com

Bill SandlerPresident

Valve Manufacturers Association of America

Continuing Growth Surprises Many

Farris Engineering’s global FAST Center network adds value to every Farris valve. Our FAST Centers offer total valve replacement, service and repair any hour, any day – 24/7/365. The FAST Centers employ factory trained valve repair technicians working in ASME and VR certi�ed valve testing facilities. At Farris, our work is never done. Once we sell you a valve, our FAST Team is there to keep your valves in service and your plant safe.

Real value behind every valveThat’s the FAST Center guarantee

To locate your local FAST Center: http://farris.cwfc.com or 1-877-FARRIS1

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6 | Valve M A G A Z I N E

REORGANIZATIONS & ACQUISITIONSGE Energy Splitting into Three Separate BusinessesGE has reorganized its Energy business into three stand-alone businesses effective in the fourth quarter of 2012: GEPower and Water, GE Oil and Gas, and GE Energy Manage-ment. The current organizational structure will be phasedout by the end of 2012.

GE Energy Infrastructure includes about 100,000employees and will have revenues of about $50 billion in2012. The three new businesses will report directly to GEChairman and CEO Jeff Immelt.

Fenner Advanced Sealing Technologies AcquiresAmerican Industrial PlasticsFenner Advanced Sealing Technologies has aquired Ameri-can Industrial Plastics (AIP) located in Daytona, FL. For 30years, AIP has served the oil and gas, industrial and medicalmarkets with precision-machined products for demandingapplications. AIP specializes in developing customer con-cepts into manufacturable parts, including making complexand difficult-to-machine components out of high-perform-ance, polymer-based materials.

Victaulic Buys Desalination Business of MTS Valves& TechnologyVictaulic has acquired the desalination business of MTSValves & Technology, which designs and manufactures valvesfor the global desalination market, including the MTS PlugValve.

“The acquisition ofthe MTS desalinationbusiness unit enablesVictaulic to offer thehighest quality and mostcomprehensive productportfolio for piping sys-tems in the desalinationindustry,” said Jim Ren-ner, vice president ofwater and wastewater atVictaulic. “Victaulicwill provide the samehigh-quality productsand services that current MTS customers are accustomed toreceiving, in addition to world-class technical support.”

NEW FACILITIES

Beck Completes Pennsylvania Plant ExpansionHarold Beck & Sons Inc. has completed a 24,000-square-footexpansion to its Newtown, PA facility. The additional spaceincreases the company’s manufacturing floor by 55%, includ-ing a fully-equipped training facility, semi-automated storagesystem and state-of-the-art ESD room. It also lays the founda-tion for additional machining centers and robotics.

IND U S T R Y C A P S U L E S

Pentair Ltd. and the flow control businessof Tyco International Ltd. have combinedto create Pentair Ltd., an industrial growth company in waterand fluid solutions, valves and controls, equipment protectionand thermal management products.

“We have significantly increased our global presence, andtogether have a broader offering and expanded capabilitiesfor our customers,” said Randall J. Hogan, chairman andchief executive officer of Pentair Ltd. “Looking forward, webelieve Pentair is uniquely positioned to benefit from theincreased demands on energy, water, infrastructure and agri-culture resulting from the growing population and wealth ofthe world.”

The company now has 30,000 employees located in morethan 30 countries, operates more than 100 manufacturingfacilities and markets its products and services worldwide.

The merger was structured as a tax-free“Reverse Morris Trust” transaction. As a result of

the distribution and merger, Tyco shareholders own approxi-mately 52.5% and former Pentair, Inc. shareholders ownapproximately 47.5% of Pentair Ltd. on a diluted basis, withabout 210 million shares outstanding.

Members of the Pentair, Inc. Board of Directors justbefore the merger, together with one new director designatedby Tyco, are the members of the Pentair, Ltd. Board of Direc-tors. In addition to Hogan, the Pentair, Inc. executive teamremains in place as the senior executive team of the combinedcompany.

Pentair Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland with its mainU.S. offices remaining in Minneapolis, MN.

The merger was approved by Pentair, Inc. shareholders onSeptember 14, 2012.

Pentair and Tyco International’s Flow Business Combine

CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

High pressure. Extreme temperatures. Volatile products. It’s all part of the job in

hydrocarbon processing. But so is the goal of maximizing safety integrity. We make

the process more secure with our innovative valves and controls, which is why the

industry relies on us to keep their workers safe and their plants running smoothly.

��

��

�� A part we can do without.

VM_SPR12_VM_SPR12.qxd 4/9/12 11:11 AM Page 9


STAFF

PUBL ISHER

William S. Sandler

ASSOC IATE PUBL ISHER /

ED ITOR - IN -CH IEF

Judy Tibbs

MANAG ING ED ITOR

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SEN IOR ED ITOR

Kate Kunkel

ASS ISTANT ED ITOR

Chris Guy

CONTR IBUT ING ED ITOR

Greg Johnson

ART D IRECTOR /

PRODUCT ION MANAGER

Michelle Wandres

ADVERT IS ING D IRECTOR

Sue Partyke

How to Contact VALVE MAGAZINE

EDITOR IAL OFF ICES

7449 Southwind DriveChesterfield, VA 23832phone: 571.274.0402email: [email protected]

website:www.ValveMagazine.com

ADVERT IS ING SALES

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Suite 119Fredericksburg, VA 22405phone: 540.374.9100fax: 540.374.9265

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Chris Guyphone: 571.274.5224email: [email protected]

ART ICLE SUBMISS IONS

VALVE MAGAZINEwelcomes articles, proposals,manuscripts, photographs, andideas from our readers. For acopy of the magazine’s Author’sGuidelines, contact GenileeParente, managing editor, at

[email protected].

I N D U S T R Y C A P S U L E S


Emerson Process ManagementOpens New Houston FacilityEmerson Process Management’s RegulatorTechnologies business is consolidating itsWillowbrook and Waller locations into anew facility and headquarters in NorthHouston. A total of 175 people will workthere at the outset, with plans to increasethat number to 250 within the next threeyears. The $27 million investment willserve as a product test lab to supportEmerson’s valve automation developmentactivities.

NEW CONTRACTSShell Awards Single-SourceAgreement to Pentair Valves &ControlsPentair Valves & Controls (formerly TycoFlow Control) has been selected to providepressure-relief valves and after-marketservices to Shell globally. The five-yearEnterprise Framework Agreement coversCrosby and Anderson Greenwood direct-acting and pilot-operated pressure-reliefvalves and line block relief valves, and

supports services for all of Shell’soperations worldwide.

The agreement for pressure-relief valvesis the second framework agreement securedby Pentair (Tyco) in the last year. During2011, the company was also selected byShell to provide butterfly valves globally.

Iraq’s ROO Awards Cameron $100Million Supply ContractCameron has been awarded a supply contractvalued at about $100 million by the RumailaOperating Organization (ROO) in Iraq. TheROO is a joint venture between the state-owned South Oil Company, BP and the ChinaNational Petroleum Corporation. The scopeincludes equipment for new wells and rehabili-tation of existing wells along with associatedaftermarket services for the next three years.

Curtiss-Wright and Candu EnergySign AgreementCurtiss-Wright Flow Control Companyannounced that its Enertech business unitand Candu Energy Inc. have signed anagreement to jointly provide Passive Auto-catalytic Recombiner (PAR) technology tothe nuclear industry in the U.S. and selectinternational markets.

PEOPLEKITZ CORP. USA…ThomasJ. Hannafin, senior advisor,passed away unexpectedlyAug. 2.

Prior to his role as senioradvisor, Hannafin worked atKITZ USA for 27 years,where he was vice president

of marketing and director of the corporationfrom 1997 to 2008. Altogether, he served theindustry for 42 years in various valve salesand marketing roles. He was actively involvedon API task forces that develop valve stan-dards used in the HPI; various MSS technicalcommittees; and was a long-standing memberof the VMA Technical Committee. Hannafinalso was on the MSS Board of Directors for10 years and had just accepted a three-yearterm to serve as president of MSS.

Bill Sandler, VMA president, said: “Tomhas been a great example of what makes

VMA such a terrific organization. He hasfreely given his time and expertise for thegood of the industry. Those of us who haveworked with Tom agree he was a true treasure, and he will be missed.”VALVTECHNOLOGIES… has appointed

Gary Gandolfi to fill the position of director ofglobal distribution and service, reporting toKevin Hunt, president.

A graduate of the University of NewOrleans, Gandolfi has held senior positionswith McKesson Chemical, Carter-Chambers,Groth Equipment, and most recently, withCurtiss Wright.ENTHONE… has appointed

Rick Reagan as president, Cook-son Performance Materials(CPM). Reagan will report directlyto Steven Corbett, CEO of CPM,which includes both Enthone andthe Alpha electronic assembly andadvanced materials business.

Rick Reagan

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

GE Energy

Peace of Mind.Over the last 30 years, GE Energy’s Consolidated Green Tag Centers have provided valuable aftermarket support in more than 80 facilities operating in over 30 countries worldwide. Our customers receive helpful and responsive service through OEM-certified repairs, innovative valve diagnostics, valve management and maintenance available around-the-clock—all backed by GE’s proven industry knowledge and experience.

To learn more go to: www.ge-energy.com/GTC



Under terms of the agreement, Enertechwill focus on sales and marketing of PARsoffered by Candu for use inside the contain-ment building of nuclear power plants andother facilities where hydrogen gas can collect and create an explosive atmosphere.PARs automatically activate without theneed for external power or operator action,effectively preventing hydrogen buildup.

Emerson and Vopak Sign TerminalAutomation Systems AgreementNetherlands-based Vopak has awardedEmerson Process Management a three-yearGlobal Framework Agreement to becomeone of the providers of process automationsystems and services for Vopak’s storageand bulk liquid terminal facilities aroundthe world.

Under the agreement, Emerson willdesign, configure and implement digitalautomation systems for all new automationprojects at Vopak terminals, as well as pro-vide ongoing support services for new andexisting automation systems.

Vopak is the world’s largest independenttank storage provider with 83 terminals in31 countries.

Rotork and Velan Supplying ChineseNuclear Power StationRotork has supplied more than 100 IQ intelli-gent electric valve actuators for the Velanwedge gate and parallel slide valves for theTaishan Nuclear Power Station. Situated on

the coast at Chixi Town, south of Guangzhouin China’s Guangdong Province, the TaishanNuclear Power Station is expected to be oneof the largest in the world. It is also China’sfirst nuclear power plant to adopt the Euro-pean Pressurized Reactor (EPR) third-gener-ation reactor technology. The first phase ofthe project involves construction of two EPRpower plants, each with the world’s largestcapacity of 1750 MW.

KUDOSGarlock Celebrates 125 Years Garlock Sealing Technologies recentlymarked its 125th anniversary with a celebra-tion that included visits from state and localofficials. The company was presented a reso-lution passed by the New York Assembly andSenate marking the company’s commitmentto its home counties of Palmyra and Wayne.On hand to present the resolution and honorthe company were N.Y. State SenatorMichael F. Nozzolio and N.Y. State AssemblyRobert C. Oaks.

The Garlock family of companies datesback to 1887 when Olin J. Garlock formed acompany to manufacture packing rings forthe piston rods of steam engines. Today, thecompany employs 1,900 people and is anacknowledged leader in high-performance,fluid-sealing solutions with operations in 16locations and through distributors in 79countries.

NOVEMBER1-2Valve Repair Meeting & ExhibitionHoustonwww.vma.org

14-15ChemInnovations 2012New Orleanswww.cpievent.com

27-29Valve World Conference& ExhibitionDusseldorf, Germanywww.valveworldexpo.com

DECEMBER11-13Power-GenOrlandowww.power-gen.com

2013JANUARY16-18VMA Valve IndustryLeadership Forum*Dallaswww.vma.org

28-30AHR ExpoDallaswww.ahrexpo.com

MARCH7-8VMA Technical Seminar & ExhibitionCharlotte, NCwww.vma.org

MAYTBDVMA Valve BasicsSeminar & ExhibitsBostonwww.vma.org

*Open only to VMA/VRCmembers.

CALENDAR 2012

Emerson will provide digital automation systems for Vopak’s

storage and bulk liquid terminal facilities.



TWO GREAT COMPANIES. ONE BRIGHT FUTURE.How do you create a global company built for the future? By combining two powerful histories in pursuit of a bold vision—to help companies around the world contribute to healthier, safer environments. Building on the achievements of Pentair and Tyco’s Flow Control businesses, comprised of Valves & Controls, Thermal Controls and Water & Environmental Systems, the new Pentair delivers exceptional depth and expertise in filtration and processing, flow management, equipment protection and thermal management.From water to powerFrom energy to constructionFrom food service to residentialWe’re 30,000 employees strong, combining inventive thinking with disciplined execution to deploy solutions that help better manage and utilize precious resources and ensure operational success for our customers worldwide. Pentair stands ready to solve a full range of residential, commercial, municipal and industrial needs.

PENTAIR.COM



Members Nominated for Innovation Awards; ASCO Wins for its Environment ValvesWinners of the 2012 Flow Control Innovation Awards wereannounced in the September issue of Flow Control magazine.The nominees were chosen for new technology in fluid handling applications in the categories of fluid measure-ment, control and containment.

VMA members Cameron, Emerson Process Managementand Spirax Sarco were among the nominees, with ASCOValve being named a winner in the control category for itsenvironment valves.

Quadrant EPP Earns OSHA’s STAR Site DistinctionQuadrant Engineering Plastic Products (EPP) has beenawarded the distinguished STAR Site designation by OSHAfor its site in Scranton, PA. Quadrant was recognized forimplementing effective safety and health management systems, and an injury and illness rate below nationalBureau of Labor Statistics averages for the industry.

Now with Voluntary Protection Program status, Quadrant

EPP will be re-evaluated every three to five years to remain in the program and is exempt from OSHA-programmedinspections.

Highland Foundry Receives NORSOK QualificationsHighland Foundry Ltd., Surrey, BC, Canada, has success -fully completed updating its 22Cr (MDS D46) Duplex and25Cr (MDS D56) Super Duplex casting Qualification TestRecords from Rev.3 to the current Rev.4 for NORSOK M-630 Edition 5 and M-650 Edition 4.

“The NORSOK standards were developed by the Norwegian petroleum industry to ensure adequate safety,value adding and cost effectiveness for existing and futurepetro leum industry developments and operations. We havebeen working with this well-established, recognized andwidely referred to standard for over a decade, in addition tobeing included on approved and qualified vendor lists forduplex and super duplex castings for many of the major oil companies,” said Kim Morgan, vice president of sales andmarketing at Highland.

EVENTS

Last year’s Power-Gen International saw a record-breaking20,000 attendees and the same is expected this year as themovers and shakers in the power industry gather in Orlando,FL. The event is Dec. 11-13 at the Orange County Conven-tion Center.

Power-Gen brings together utility officers, governmentofficials, contractors, equipment manufacturers, operationsand maintenance experts, fuel suppliers and many other pro-fessionals whose job revolves around supplying power to theworld. Attendees hear from over 200 industry experts whopresent their ideas on new solutions and innovations during36 sessions broken up into 12 tracks. The concurrent tracksare industry trends, environmental issues, emissions control,gas turbine technologies, plant performance and much more.

Keynoting the conference this year is the president ofTampa Electric & Peoples Gas, Gordon L. Gillette, andchairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,Jon Wellinghoff.

The conference features more than 1,200 exhibitors onthe world’s largest industry exhibit floor showcasing theirproducts, which include valves and actuators, pumps, boil-ers, turbines, engines, boiler water and feedwater treatmentservices, computer hardware and software, controls andinstrumentation systems, engineering and construction serv-ices, generators, plant electrical systems, and more. Amongexhibitors will be various VMA member companies as well

as Valve Magazine, VMA and the Valve Repair Council,which will be at booth #647.

This year’s event also offers technical tours of Polk PowerStation, a state-of-the-art integrated coal gasification combined-cycle power plant; Cane Island Power Park, whichwas built on nearly 1,000 acres of protected wetland; andthe solar power system that makes up the roof of the OrangeCounty Convention Center.

Power-Gen is held in conjunction with these relatedevents: Nuclear Power International, Renewable EnergyWorld Conference & Expo and Power-Gen InternationalFinancial Forum.

For information, go to www.power-gen.com.

Twenty Thousand to Attend Power-Gen

BARCH

FELD

PHOTOG

RAPHY

Fluid control solutions. Right. Now.For ultra-reliable performance and delivery, turn to ASCO: the world leader in solenoid valve technology. Our fluid automation offerings control flows of air, gas, water, oil, and steam across the globe. Recent innovations include microminiature designs, low-power solenoid valves, and position indicators with network communications capabilities. With tens of thousands of models available, you’ll find just the right solutions for your demanding application. Some last up to 500 million cycles; many are shipped within 1 day with our ASCO Today program. When you must have the highest productivity, lowest cost of ownership, and greatest asset availability. You’re looking at it: ASCO.

I NEED SOLUTIONS, NOT EXCUSES.Your products must perform perfectly, right from the start. And be delivered on time,every time. If those terms don’t work for you.

You won’t work with me. Period.

1-800-972-ASCO (2726) | www.asconumatics.com/RightNow | e-mail: [email protected]

The ASCO trademark is registered in the U.S. and other countries. The Emerson logo is a trademark and service mark of Emerson Electric Co. © 2011 ASCO Valve, Inc.

ASCO-A_Reliability_ValveMag.pdf 1 8/14/12 1:39 PM



Mark Cordell NamedChairman at 74thAnnual MeetingOutgoing VMA Chairman Bruce Brox-terman, president, Richards Industries,handed the chairman’s gavel to incom-ing chairman Mark Cordell, president,Distributed Valves, Cameron Valves &Measurement at the VMA/VRC 74thAnnual Meeting, Sept. 20-22. Thisyear’s meeting, which was held at theRitz-Carlton Half Moon Bay in Califor-nia, was the beginning of a year-longcelebration of 75 years since the found-ing of VMA. Cordell took over as chair-man at the VMA Awards Dinner (seepage 60, “Conversation with …” forcomments from Mark Cordell).

Other officers and board membersapproved by vote at the associationbusiness meeting were:

� 2012-13 Vice Chairman: IvanVelan, executive vice president,Velan Corporation

� 2012-13 Program Chairman:Greg Rogowski, president,Mueller Co.

� 2012-13 Immediate Past Chair-man: Bruce Broxterman, presi-dent, Richard Industries

In addition, the board welcomed

Tom Pozda, president, Crane Co. –ChemPharma and Energy Flow Solu-tions, and David Hughes, director ofglobal key accounts, Oil & Gas, PentairValves & Controls.

MikeMitchellWins TopVMA AwardAt the VMAAwards Dinner,then-VMA Chair-man Bruce Brox-terman called tothe podium a sur-prised anddelighted MikeMitchell, vicepresident sales,Cameron-Dyna-

Torque, who was designated VMA’sMan of the Year. Mitchell has beeninvolved with the association for manyyears, serving willingly and cheerfullyon most of its committees, including theprogram committee for the annualmeeting. He most recently chaired theMarket Trends Committee, responsiblefor developing the outstanding programheld at the Market Outlook Workshopeach year. Mitchell joined previousrecipients of the Man (and Woman) of

the Year award on stage, where heacknowledged being both honored andhumbled to be joining such a stellargroup.

In addition to that award, AlanBeaulieu, principal, Institute for TrendResearch, who has delighted VMA audiences with his insightful but enter-taining thoughts on the economy atmany outlook workshops and numerousannual meetings, was honored with aVMA Service Award.

For coverage on the annual meetingbusiness sessions, please read a longerversion of this article onwww.ValveMagazine.com.

Plans for the 75th AnniversaryAt the association business meeting,VMA President Bill Sandler unveiled anew logo for the Valve ManufacturersAssociation of America, as well as aversion of the logo that will be used tocommemorate the 75th anniversary.

Also planned for the coming year is avideo that focuses on the history of theassociation and the valve industry,including members who will discuss thevalue of belonging to VMA. It will beunveiled at next year’s annual meeting.In addition, a major public relationseffort to reach valve end-users aroundthe world about the value of workingwith VMA members is in the works, aswell as a special commemorative pro-gram, an anniversary issue of Valve Mag-azine scheduled for fall 2013, and ananniversary section on VMA.org.

Watch future issues of Valve Magazineand VMA.org for more details.

VMA NEWS

Newly elected VMAChairman Mark Cordell ofCameron (left) accepts thegavel from BruceBroxterman, RichardsIndustries.

The ASCO trademark is registered in the U.S. and other countries. The Emerson logo is a trademark and service mark of Emerson Electric Co. © 2011 ASCO Valve, Inc.

The best of both worlds.Introducing new low-power valves from ASCO. Our solenoid valves are now available with the worldbeating reliability you expect, but at the lowest power rating ever—only 0.55 watt! So you can install more devices on a process plant bus network. Or use them in remote locations with solar/battery sources. And unlike integrated valves, you can choose from a wide range of easily available models, with larger orifices to handle higher flows without clogging. Many ASCO low-power solenoid valves come with the ASCO Today same-day shipping program for the fastest delivery on the planet.

800-972-ASCO (2726) | www.ascovalve.com/LowPower | e-mail: [email protected]

Scan this QR code*to learn more about thenew low-power valves.

* Requires QR code reader.

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T he nation’s politicians and many of its citizens are pushing for more use ofrenewable sources of energy not only because of environmental issues but to

lessen dependence on foreign oil. However, both wind and solar present a problem inthat the technology that exists today cannot provide sufficient power for baseloadelectricity. A third source—geothermal—holds promise, and even though it is not anew source of energy, new types of plant technologies are making this type of renew-able even more attractive.

Geothermal energy is actually very efficient compared to other renewables,according to Tim Reinhardt, technology development manager in charge of low-temperature geothermal projects at the Department of Energy (DOE). It canoperate 24 hours a day under virtually any conditions, and its capacity factor(the ratio of the actual output of a power plant over a period of time comparedto what it could put out operating at full capacity during the entire time) isequal to nuclear and coal-fired plants.

“We’re [DOE] working with the energy industry to make this power competitivefor baseload electricity,” he says.

AN UPDATE ON THE INDUSTRYToday, three kinds of geothermal power plant technologies are used to converthydrothermal fluids to electricity: dry steam, flash and binary cycle. Which type isused is dependent on the temperature of the geothermal site.

GEOTHERMAL ENERGY: A RENEWABLE WITHHUGE POTENTIAL

GEOTHERMAL ENERGY: A RENEWABLE WITHHUGE POTENTIAL

W H E R EVALVESA R E U S E D

The method ofpulling power fromthe ground’s heat isreceiving renewedattention because ofnew technologies aswell as efforts byDOE and otherparties to promotethis clean, abundantsource of energy.

ENEL G

REEN POW

ER NOR

TH AMERICA

The world's first hybrid solar-geothermal power plant is

the Stillwater project in Fallon, NV. The plant was a result of tax support under the

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

F a l l 2 0 1 2 | 17

Early geothermal power plants weredry steam plants, which use the steamfrom geothermal reservoirs as it comesout of wells. This steam is routed direct-ly through turbine/generator units toproduce electricity.

More common today are flash steamplants, which use water at temperaturesgreater than 360° F (182° C) but below400° F (204° C) that is pumped underhigh pressure to the generator equip-ment at the surface. The pressure isallowed to reduce and the water flashesto steam, which is then put directlythrough a turbine.

The third type of technology is thebinary cycle plant, in which the water orsteam from the geothermal reservoirnever comes in contact with a turbine orgenerator units. Instead, the technologyheats a working fluid that runs the tur-bine. (This third type of plant is DOE’sTim Reinhardt’s specialization.)

CHALLENGES FORGEOTHERMAL While geothermal energy productionholds much promise, it also presentschallenges. John W. Pritchett, boardmember of the Geothermal EnergyAssociation and co-chair of that associ-ation’s Science and Technical Commit-tee, shares what he considers some ofthe most difficult.

First is getting financing for newprojects. “The geothermal project devel-oper will obtain no revenue until thewellfield is drilled, the power plant isconstructed, a power-purchase agree-ment has been negotiated with the pub-lic utility company, and transmissionfacilities have been arranged,” heexplains.

Meanwhile, “The upfront capitalcosts of a geothermal project are formi-dable,” he adds. By comparison,“Financing for natural-gas or coal-firedpower plants would be far more chal-lenging if the project developer wererequired to purchase the entire fuel sup-ply for the project’s lifetime prior toselling any electricity,” he explains.

A second major challenge is locatinga suitable underground geothermalresource and obtaining permission todevelop it, Pritchett continues. Suitable

locations are not plentiful and tend to belocated mainly in the western U.S. andin areas that are generally away frompopulation centers, and much of theland is tied up in government ownership.

Also, “Prospecting techniques forgeothermal resources are in a relativelyprimitive state of development and arecomparable in effectiveness to thosethat were in use for oil and gas explo-ration in the very early part of the 20thcentury,” he adds.

The geological anomalies of the west-ern U.S. make it possible to have largemegawatt geothermal power facilities inNevada and California, Reinhardt says.

However, DOE has not limited itsefforts to that area.

“We [DOE] explore resources spreadacross the entire U.S., including tradi-tional hydrothermal and low-tempera-ture resources that are outside or belowthe normal temperatures used to har-vest electricity,” he says. They are alsoworking with co-produced resources inlocations that have oil and gas produc-tion such as the Dakotas, along the GulfCoast, even Arkansas.

However, these locations are isolat-

ed, and isolation creates problems inseveral ways. According to Pritchett,while geothermal electricity must begenerated by surface facilities locatedabove the underlying geothermalresources, these facilities are often situ-ated substantial distances from loadcenters. A natural-gas plant, on theother hand, can be located almost any-where (even within the city it serves),though some party still has to install orexpand the size of piping. Because ofthe isolation, geothermal projects ordi-narily will require electrical transmis-sion facilities to bring the power to mar-ket. Many promising geothermal areaspresently lack such means of transmis-sion, he notes.

Another great challenge is technolog-ical support and lack of infrastructure,Pritchett says.

“Most geothermal development com-panies are fairly small, thinly capital-ized, and severely stressed financially bythe high upfront capital requirements ofgeothermal projects. Their ability todirectly support technical research anddevelopment activities is very limited,”he says.

VALVES AND CONTROLS USED IN GEOTHERMAL The valves used in the geothermal energy process are standard to any turbine-generated system. “We use basically the same valves used in any power steam application,”

Reinhardt says. “Butterfly, gate and globe valves are common. There reallyisn’t anything special although there are situations where we’re dealing withhighly corrosive environments, and the pressure is high, so valves are chosenaccordingly.” Butterfly-type control valves are used to regulate inlet pressure to maintain

evaporator outlet vapor pressure. Poppet-type main stop valves are commonlyused to assure accurate shut-off of the steam flow when a turbine is stopped.In some systems, an internal bypass valve, assembled in the main stop valve,stabilizes control in the low-steam flow range.On DOE’s wish list for geothermal projects are valves that are reasonably

priced but offer more corrosion and pressure resistance. “A reliable, inexpensive, automated control valve that could fully seal even

in highly corrosive environments would be valuable to us,” says Reinhardt.Heat and fluid loss need to be prevented as much as possible, so anythingincluding superior packing materials that can make that happen are desirablecomponents of the valves used in these systems. With respect to automation, most of the systems use standard hydraulic or

electric actuators and have control panels (even on the smaller units). “You canremote-control some of the more advanced electric units and some are evencoming up with an iPad or iPhone application,” Reinhardt says. “Remote control is becoming the norm, and monitoring is 24/7,” he adds.

In the past, the industry has relied onthe government to fill this role, mainlyDOE and the U.S. Geological Survey,but government support has been rela-tively small, highly intermittent andunreliable, particularly in recent years,he adds.

THE TECHNOLOGYThe geothermal industry has had someexciting advances in technology, Pritchett says.

For example, “Substantial progresshas been made in recent years in geo-thermal exploration technology, andmany new resources have been discov-ered and are now awaiting exploitation,”he says. Also, the development of newthermodynamic cycles for geothermalpower plants has lowered the permissiblethreshold resource temperature for effi-cient power generation, in effect increas-ing the exploitable national geothermalresource base.

Meanwhile, “New and more powerfultechniques for resource modeling andperformance forecasting are reducingwastage and lowering the cost of geo-thermal electricity,” he says.

Finally, the combination of geo-thermal generation with other energytechnologies is making projects moreprofitable. This includes cogeneration,which combines oil and gas productionwith geothermal electricity generationusing the coproduced hot water andsteam from oil/gas wells, and hybridswith other renewables such as the newENEL Stillwater geothermal/solar project in Nevada, he says.

IN THE FIELDSome exciting developments have alsooccurred in the field in the last fewyears, according to Reinhardt.

For example, DOE is working withPacific Northwest National Lab ondeveloping better working fluids.

“They’re adding nanoparticles ofmetal organic heat carriers to the work-ing fluid. The idea is to make the work-ing fluid more heat efficient,” heexplains.

Reinhardt says these metallic parti-cles will not create challenges for components such as valves that wouldprocess the fluid because “that fluid is

contained within the closed circuit of the binary power plant, powering theturbine. It poses no special challenges tothe process equipment.”

Another project that holds greatpromise is in Nevada where “Elec-traTherm has its green machine, whichuses twin screw expanders as opposed toa traditional turbine to create the electricity,” says Reinhardt.

With more than 3,100 MW ofinstalled power and another 6,000 MWor more in the planning stages, geo-thermal energy has vast potential.Responsible development could allowgeothermal to be a significant contribu-tor to baseload electricity generation inthe United States, he says.

DOE SUPPORT Because the DOE realizes the strategicvalue of geothermal energy production,the agency supports the industry throughits own technologies program. DOE isworking to advance geothermal energyas part of a broader energy portfolio. To

do this, it focuses on research and devel-opment projects with universities,national labs and private companies todevelop better, more advanced and saferways to produce electricity, includinggeothermal technologies. By exploringissues such as geochemistry, drilling andequipment, the DOE is aiming to createmore efficient and less expensive meansto tap into geothermal.

Reinhardt describes a few currentprojects, including two in North Dakotathat were supported through the Ameri-can Recovery and Reinvestment Act of2009.

“We’re going into existing oil and gasfields that are using hot water and re-injecting it into the hydrocarbon layer toenhance production,” he says.

To do so, DOE is putting a binarycycle unit on the front end.

“Since the water doesn’t have to bethat hot, we can capture some of thatheat and create a portion of the electri -city needed for the process itself,” heexplains.


G E O T H E R M A L E N E R G Y

GEOTHERMAL OUTLOOKThe total electricity consumption of the United States presently averages about470,000 megawatts (MW). Of this demand, 45% is now being met by coal-firedgenerating plants, 24% by natural-gas plants, 20% by nuclear plants and 6% byhydroelectric projects. Most of the remaining 5% comes from biomass, wind, solar and other renew-

ables, including geothermal. The total installed capacity of geothermal electricalprojects in the U.S. is presently about 3,200 MW, representing only 0.7% of thenational electricity demand. The U.S. Geological Survey has estimated theseexisting geothermal projects represent less than 10% of what geothermal iscapable of contributing, and that geothermal projects could provide as much as8% of the U.S. electricity demand (which is more than hydroelectric does today)using only existing, present-day technology. There are no important technological obstacles to substantial short-term

expansion of the industry, although estimates of the longer-term possibilitiesusing various kinds of advanced geothermal technologies vary widely. A 1999study that used fairly conservative assumptions about the resource base andtechnology concluded that geothermal resources using existing technology havethe potential to support between 35,448 and 72,392 MW of worldwide electri-cal generation capacity. Using enhanced technology, the geothermal resourcescould support between 65,576 and 138,131 MW of electrical generation capac-ity. Regarding U.S. potential, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory

released a report in 2006 that estimated 26,000 MW of geothermal powercould be developed domestically by 2015, and that by 2025, more than 100,000MW of geothermal power could be in production. Currently more than 4,500MW of geothermal power projects are under development in California, Oregonand Nevada.

—Courtesy of the Geothermal Energy Association

For a second project, geothermal fluid,a mixture of hydrocarbon and water, isproduced at the end of the process.

“That goes through a separator andthe wastewater will be run through abinary unit to produce electricity,” heexplains. “With binary units going intoan existing oil and gas infrastructure, itis a relatively simple matter to plug intothe process.

“It adds no cost to the existing opera-tion and maintenance of the field, yet itcan produce electricity for in-field pro-duction. It’s especially valuable for thoseoperations that are off the grid, forwhich the producer has to use diesel generators,” he says.

The result can be significantly cheaperenergy, depending on the price of diesel.

“We’re hoping to compete economi-cally with producers who are on the gridas well,” Reinhardt says. “It’s an effi-cient use of the wastewater and wasteheat, so it just makes sense.”

SEISMIC CONSIDERATIONSWhile efficiency and cost make geo-thermal energy an attractive renewableenergy source, some concerns have been

raised about the seismic ramifications ofdrilling into the earth.

“We have taken a look at it [the seismic issue] in the interests of goodscience and being good stewards of pub-lic and environmental safety,” says Rein-hardt. DOE has put a seismicity protocolin place to let geothermal developersknow the best methods to mitigate oravoid risks.

In addition to what the DOE doesinternally, there are also existingNational Environmental Policy Act(NEPA) regulations that govern seis -micity compliance.

With respect to NEPA, “Generallyspeaking, geothermal projects are usual-ly relatively environmentally benign andhave a fairly small footprint relative tothe amount of electricity that is gener -ated,” Pritchett says.

However, permitting delays (NEPAand otherwise) can have extremelyadverse effects on geothermal projects,mainly because of the long lead-timesand high up-front capital costs of geo-thermal development,” he says.

Also, the industry is currently findingboth technical and nontechnical ways to

mitigate the risks of geothermal exploration.

Both DOE and private industry areconducting research “to improve our abil-ity to image the subsurface prior todrilling, to improve the chances of drillingsuccessful steam production wells and toreduce the per-foot average cost of geo-thermal drilling,” Pritchett says. Mean-while, a variety of approaches have beenproposed for ameliorating the financialimpact of “dry-hole” failures, includingproposed federal cost-sharing programsand risk-sharing (insurance) pools.

CONCLUSIONWhile many renewable resources cannotprovide baseload power, geothermal hasthe potential to produce enough reliablemegawatts to provide that power. Withtechnological innovation, driven by pri-vate enterprise partnering with DOE sci-entists and engineers, this resource couldbecome an important part of the energymix needed to help the country achieveits clean, independent power goals. VM

KATE KUNKEL is senior editor of Valve Magazine.Reach her at [email protected].

F a l l 2 0 1 2 | 19

We’re painting the town.

®

» »


A NEW DRIVER AT THE WHEEL?OUTLOOK 2013 SPEAKERS SAY

NATURAL GAS MAY FUEL ECONOMIC GROWTH

BY KATE KUNKEL

F a l l 2 0 1 2 | 21

A NEW DRIVER AT THE WHEEL?T he record-breaking number of attendees at this year’s

Market Outlook Workshop, Aug. 9-10 in Chicago, werebuoyed by relatively positive messages from all the speak-ers, who agreed the nation is in recovery. What they had tosay, as always, depended on which end-user industry theywere there to represent, but one theme that came frommany of the speakers is that growth in North America goingforward may well be driven by the abundance and availabili-ty of natural gas, which speakers say is taking on an ever-expanding role in the energy mix. Mark Peters of Oil and Gas Financial Journal called this

situation the “golden age” of gas. He explained that if theU.S. is allowed to develop offshore resources and shale, andCanada develops the oil sands as it should, the U.S. couldreach fundamental energy resource independence within 5to 7 years. Reasonable energy prices should encourageadditional U.S. manufacturing capacity and a resurgence indomestic manufacturing. “Gas has great potential that we know how to use,” he

said, “and it has the capability to impact everything in theU.S. in manufacturing and in the petrochemical industry.” His remarks were backed up by several other speakers,

including Mark Eramo, vice president of IHS, who addedthat abundance and low price are encouraging petrochemi-cal producers to bring production back to the U.S.But natural gas is just one driver. Many factors are affect-

ing the current economic situation, including consumer andbusiness attitudes.As popular speaker Alan Beaulieu, Institute for Trend

Research (ITR), said in his presentation, a good portion ofthe nation remains pessimistic even while all signs point torecovery.“Everything that we want to happen is happening, but

still we’re not happy,” he joked, “proving that we truly areAmerican.” He warned attendees not to wait to see whatwill happen next, but to take advantage of current positives,including low lending rates, and begin to plan now for bumpsdown the road.

SPEAKER-IDENTIFIED TRENDS

� Natural gas is a gamechanger. If prices stay basi-cally where they are, morenatural gas power plants willbe built, the petrochemicalindustry in North Americamay well be revitalized, andthe economy as a wholestands to benefit.

� Developing areas of theworld will offer valve compa-nies stronger markets. Whilethe population of NorthAmerica remains pretty con-stant, the population boom indeveloping countries com-bined with a shift towardurbanization in those devel-oping nations will continue tohave an impact on the priceof commodities.

� Caution is the norm.Whilethe economy is not retractingat this point, it is also notrebounding as quickly or asdefinitively as people wouldlike to see. Therefore, manymanufacturers and end usersare being cautious withspending and expansionplans. Growth will continue,but slowly.

� China’s government will playa role.While China’s econo-my has not been growing asquickly as before, its govern-ment is working to stimulategrowth, including startingbig infrastructure projects.This could offset some of thenegative effects of the eco-nomic troubles in the Euro-pean Union.

MORE ONLINE: We also havereports on the Brazilian marketand hydraulic fracturing. Readthem on ValveMagazine.com >Web Features.

DOMESTIC ECONOMY: INVEST NOW;TIMES ARE GOODDespite warnings by ITR’s economistAlan Beaulieu of economic troubles byabout 2019, the overall feeling he leftthis year’s market outlook workshopattendees with is optimism. This wasbecause, as he explained it, “The U.S.economy is going to continue to expandin the last half of 2012 and the first halfof 2013,” and boom years are to come.Beaulieu stressed to attendees that eventhough 69% of the U.S. population cur-rently has a pessimistic attitude, thecountry is in a real recovery. Business inthe U.S. is hiring, and the job market isdriving the economic expansion, he said.Retail sales are up and constructionspending is improving, while credit carddebt and delinquencies are down. “Theproblem is, we’re still comparing this[the current situation] to the bubbleyears before the recession,” he explained.

The realistic viewpoint is that thecountry will see a plateau in mid-2013followed by a mild recession in 2014.

However, “It will be nothing like whatwe just went through,” he said.

Meanwhile, however, he said toomany companies are making the mis-take of holding back.

“By holding onto money instead ofinvesting, businesses don’t take the stepsto drive efficiencies and get into newmarkets, meaning they will be out ofposition and ill-prepared for the relativeboom years expected for 2015, 2016and 2017,” he pointed out.

Beaulieu encouraged attendees tolook forward for 10 years, figure outwhat people, training and other invest-ments they will need to position them-selves for growth and invest accordingly.“If you are qualified, borrow money,”he advised. “These are the cheapestinterest rates you’re going to see for along time. That investment can give youa good cash flow to bury competitorsthat can’t borrow,” he said.

However, he warned attendees to payoff that debt by 2019, when he said amajor recession will hit. This recessiondoes not have to be disastrous, however,

and the country now has the past fewyears to use as an example.

“Think about what you would havedone before the past recession if you’dknown it was coming, and do that,”Beaulieu advised.

Beaulieu said that one of the mosttroublesome problems facing the U.S.economy in the long term may be healthcare spending.

“In the U.S. we spend much moreper person and as a percentage of GDP[gross domestic product] than any othercountry,” he said.

This is worrisome because “in thenext 30 years, 35 million of us willbecome senior citizens. By age 90, thecost of medical care will be $45,000 perperson per year. This is a tax that will beborne by businesses and individuals.”

Although the overall short-term eco-nomic outlook is good, Beaulieu alsoreminded the crowd that things can goawry. For example, “Oil prices couldbreak through $120 [per barrel], andthat could slow things down,” he pointedout. Such a development would put acrunch on both consumers and business-es, which means “a bit of a downturn inthe economy because higher oil prices areinflationary.”

As far as what has happened mostrecently, Beaulieu pointed out that man-ufacturers enjoyed a break from com-modity prices as copper and other met-als came down because China’seconomy slowed. But, he said, this situ-ation will stabilize this year, and priceswill go up in 2013 because China isspending to stimulate its economy.

Beaulieu also warned manufacturersthey must face the issue of paying morefor qualified labor. “Job openings are at afour-year high, but employers can’t findthe skilled people to meet the positionsfor which we want to hire,” he said.

The debt situation in the U.S. is notpresenting an immediate crisis,Beaulieu pointed out, but there are alsono immediate fixes. Meanwhile, theU.S. is still the largest economy on theplanet so there will not be a world cur-rency anytime soon. Even though thecountry has only 4.9% of the world’spopulation, the U.S. is still the nationthe world looks to for currency guid-ance, although he does not expect the


O U T L O O K 2 0 1 3

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euro or the European Union to collapse. With respect to Canada, Beaulieu

reported that Canada’s economy will bevery healthy over the next 10 years, andwon’t suffer from recessions as much asthe U.S., partly because it is reducingexposure to this nation. It has an immi-gration policy that works and has hadno housing bubble burst like the one theU.S. experienced.

When asked during a question andanswer session whether the election inNovember 2012 would have any impacton the economy in 2013, Beaulieu saidprobably not, partly because there will beno significant legislation in the first halfof the year that would affect the last halfof 2013. However, if a conservative gov-ernment stepped in and started aggres-sively dismantling federal spending andhealthcare reform, he predicted problemsdown the line if the dismantling is notdone gradually. He also said that if taxesgo up by, for example, 4% in 2013, itwouldn’t really affect spending. A cut-back in federal spending could negativelyimpact 2014 but there would be nocliff—effects would be gradual.

FORECAST:The economy will be on apositive footing until at least the mid-dle of 2013. Commodities will levelout in 2012 and go back up slightly in2013. The dollar will be slightly weak-er and there will be a plateau in mid-2013 followed by a mild recession in2014. The years 2015, 2016 and 2017will be boom years, but 2019 will see ahuge recession.

WALL STREET: MIXED SIGNALSBoth U.S. and global industrial produc-tion growth rates remained positivethrough 2011 and the first quarter of2012, according to Michael Halloran,senior research analyst and vice presi-dent, Robert W. Baird and Company.However, the deceleration in growthrates, to about 3.9% in May 2012 fromthe peak of 6% in December 2010, mayindicate a mid-cycle slowdown.

Halloran pointed out that indicatorsare somewhat contradictory. For exam-ple, banks’ lending standards remainloose, but the June Institute for SupplyManagement Purchasing Managers’Index (PMI) trended below 50 for thefirst time since July 2009, which reflectsexpectations for a modest industrial con-traction. (PMI above 50 implies econom-ic expansion.) Also, the stock marketremains volatile, a reflection of the recentuncertainty, including the political andeconomic turmoil in Europe, soft Chinaeconomic data and inconsistent U.S. eco-nomic data.

“What people are focused on is diver-gence of PMI trends,” said Halloran.U.S. PMI performance has exceededglobal levels most notably in Europe andto a lesser degree China.

“With the globalization of most of thecompanies that deal with industrials, thequestion of how bad Europe’s economycan go—and if and when the shoe woulddrop for the U.S.—has been a factor,” hesaid. But, products that increase energyefficiency or productivity, or have expo-sure to emerging markets, power infra-


O U T L O O K 2 0 1 3

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structure or oil and gas infrastructurehave higher growth prospects.

The best strategy for manufacturers isto be as low cost as you can, but competeon quality, according to Halloran. Domes-tic players have responded by increasingproduction in lower cost countries andstaying ahead of the curve with respect totechnology and service capabilities.

Regarding end-user industries, Hallo-ran noted that suppliers have experiencedsignificant slowing in oil & gas upstreammarkets, and in some cases, meaningfulcontraction in order rates. This could putpressure on fracturing-related equipment,although production-oriented equipment,including process automation, shouldremain healthy. Because of the lower nat-ural gas prices, that rig count has fallen40% since the beginning of 2010, whilethe oil rig count has grown 76% sincethen. Since fossil fuels will continue toremain the dominant source of energythrough 2035, this sector is expected togrow significantly and steadily through2016.

Downstream oil and gas capital expen-ditures increased 7% in 2011 and areexpected to increase again in 2012 and2013 with the highest growth regionsforecast for Latin & Central America,North America and the Middle East. Hal-loran pointed out that refining capacity inthe U.S. is partly driven by demand, butover time it will be driven by new ways toaccess supply, and that will come fromshale plays.

As for the chemical processing sector,the good news is that three or four yearsago, the world was not expecting $3 nat-ural gas prices. With the lower prices,however, “you see that people wanting toreinvest in U.S. manufacturing can moveback [to this shore],” he said.

Low feedstock, raised international oiland gas prices, which have increasedtransportation costs, and higher laborcosts in China “are all compelling rea-sons why manufacturing should comeback to the U.S. This is good for anyonemaking process equipment for the chemi-cal industry,” Halloran said.

In the power sector, capital spending isstalled and near-term power trendsremain constrained by the global econom-ic uncertainty and government fiscalissues. However, capital expenditure

(capex) trends have begun to move off thebottom globally, and Halloran expectsimproving trends through 2013 to meetdemand requirements.

The U.S. water/wastewater equipmentmarket is expected to grow 6.5% annual-ly to $101.7 billion in 2016, driven byincreased access to water supply and san-itation in developing regions and the needfor repairs and upgrades of aging waterinfrastructure in developed regions, saidHalloran. The EPA estimates the U.S.must invest $334.8 billion over the next20 years for drinking water. GlobalInsight projects water infrastructurespending in Asia Pacific from 2011through 2020 will be greater than $1 trillion.

FORECAST: According to The RobertW. Baird and Co. analysis, the world isin the midst of a mid-cycle slowdownand a slower, though still positive,growth environment exists in almostall process controls end markets in2012. For the power sector, while eco-nomic and regulatory uncertaintycould delay projects, an aging electric-ity infrastructure and new growthmean that global investments in thesector are expected to exceed $13 tril-lion from 2007 to 2030. Global down-stream oil and gas capex is expectedto increase 6% in 2012 and 10% in2013 provided there is not a more sig-nificant global slowdown. Chemicalmarkets should remain healthythrough the second half of 2012 andstable in 2013.


O U T L O O K 2 0 1 3

Transmission & Distribution

26%

Power Generation26%

Exploration and Development

19%

Refining4%

Shipping1%

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13%

Transmission & Distribution

6%

LNG Chain2%

Mining2%

Biofuels1%

Oil24%

$6.3 Trillion Power52%

$13.6 Trillion

Gas21%

$5.5 Trillion

Coal3%

$0.7 Trillion

World Energy Investment bySector (projected cumulativeinvestment to 2030)

Source: Robert W. Baird & Co. Estimates

United Valve’s engineering testing department isequipped and staffed to provide a host of extremevalve inspections & evaluations. Several cryogenictesting tanks and advanced tank control systemsallow us to easily test anyvalve at cryogenictemperatures from 0degrees F, down to -320degrees F as well as allintermediate temperatures.On the other side of thetemperature spectrum,our fire testing facility isequipped to provide high-temperature fire testing inaccordance with ISO, APIor customer specifications.

Fugitive emissions(FE) testing is supportedby several specially-designed and built testingfixtures. The actual testingis controlled by customsoftware and human-machine-interface (HMI)technology. FE testing can be performed with eitherMethane or Helium.

The qualification of valves for refinery service perAPI RP591 is another service of the engineeringtesting group. All types of valves are evaluated withresults compared to original design specifications aswell as RP591 testing and inspection criteria.

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• Burst testing to40,000 psi

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WATER/WASTEWATER: FOLLOWING THE ECONOMY

The water market is a reflection of thechanging economy, according to TomDecker, vice president and Mid-Atlanticarea manager of Brown and Caldwell, inthat there are pockets of activity thatlook brighter, but overall, 2011 was abad year, 2012 will be a little better and2013 better yet. In other words, “Don’tThink Twice It’s All Right,” as he put it.The theme of his presentation this yearcame from that famous Bob Dylan songand others.

In 2011, engineering decreasedbetween 1-2% from 2010 to 2011,sales of equipment were down about5%, and construction sank 10%. Thegood news is that as of the workshop,there had been no further drops in2012. Meanwhile, “There is a market inwater/wastewater and opportunityexists,” he said, “though some compa-nies are growing by basically takingmarket share away from others.” The

bidding is still very aggressive, pricesare being cut and margins are beingslashed on construction jobs.

Decker said many utilities are goingto Basic Ordering Agreements (BOAs)for engineering and sometimes con-struction services.

“These give manufacturers a kind oflicense to participate in their businessfor a number of years, and they will runa lot of their capital programs throughthese BOAs. It’s good for the utilities,

but makes it hard for the providersbecause you don’t know what’s going tocome down the pike.”

Utilities are projecting a smallincrease in capital spending, much of iton work outside the boundaries of thetreatment plant. Numbers from the2007 Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) 20-year needs survey of antici-pated spending included $201 billion ontransmission and distribution, $75 bil-lion on treatment and $37 billion onstorage by 2027. There are similaranticipated expenditures for waste-water, but a huge proportion of spendingis going to be on fixing the dilapidatedinfrastructure, Decker said. Those itemsthat are fixes, repairs or upgrades vastlyoutweigh expansions and capacityincreases.

The EPA and state agencies arepushing for storm water systems to beupgraded, and many systems now fallunder consent decrees. Decker pointedout that, while expensive for municipali-ties, these decrees are creating business


O U T L O O K 2 0 1 3

16

14

12

10

8

6

4

2

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

2011

2012 YTD

% M

arke

t G

row

th Growth in the Water Industry

S u m m e r 2 0 1 2 | 45

service temperature up to 550° F (288°C).3 Meanwhile, a 15% glass-filled/85%virgin PTFE can handle a service tem-perature up to 518° F (270° C).4 Thismeans that if the normal operating tem-perature of a process is between 518° F(270° C) and 550° F (288° C), a failurecan take place in that soft good if it wasoriginally specified as a 25% glass-filledbut was replaced by a 15% glass-filled.

SEALANTSRubbers are very common and are wide-ly used as sealants. Nitrile rubber is oneexample. The general term for such aseal is acrylonitrile butadiene copoly-mer. The percentage of acrylonitrile innitrile rubber varies between 18% and50%. This can have a significant influ-ence on the physical properties of thefinished nitrile rubber material.5

The higher the acrylonitrile percent-age in nitrile rubber, the better theresistance to oil and fuel. At the sametime, elasticity and resistance to

compression set is adversely affected bythat percentage. Figure 1 shows the dif-ferent percentages of acrylonitrile andthe effects on both the resistance to oiland the elasticity.6 This means that if anitrile rubber with 50% acrylonitrilewas replaced by a nitrile rubber with20% acrylonitrile, the resistance to oiland fuel will increase and the prob -

ability of swelling will increase rapidly.

IN CONCLUSIONManufacturers select soft goods invalves and actuators to suit the applica-tions for which they are designed.Replacing those soft goods with prod-ucts that are locally fabricated can berisky because of the different propertiesof different filling percentages, a situa-tion made more complicated becausethose filling percentages are not usuallypublished and provided in the manufac-turers’ BOM. VM

GARY BURROWS is senior applications engineer forEmerson Process Management–Valve Automa-tion–Bettis. He has 30 years of experience in actu-ator and valve design, field service and applicationengineering. Reach him at [email protected] ATIAH is an instrumentation engineer at SaudiAramco–Ras Tanura Refinery. He has been in theinstrumentation field 10 years and is currently onan 18-month internship assignment with EmersonProcess Management. Reach him [email protected].

REFERENCES1. www.buckeyerubber.com/ProdDisc.

htm#Teflon2. www.darcoid.com/images/uploads/pdfs/

Fluid%20Power%20Sealing%20Materials%20(PTFE%20-%20Filled%20&%20Non-Filled).pdf

3. www.k-mac-plastics.com/data%20sheets/teflon-25%25GF-Data-Sheet.htm

4. www.matweb.com/search/datasheet.aspx?matguid=313108f956a6497d8883d535c753dac5&ckck=1

5. www.parker.com/literature/ORD%205700%20Parker_O-Ring_Handbook. pdf

6. www.123seal.com/seal-gasket/wp-content/uploads/HYDRAULIC-GROUP_resize1.jpg


opportunities for suppliers as many util-ities are being faced with complianceschedules. A National Stormwater Ruleis in the works, which could also be animportant driver of business by 2014,Decker said.

Meanwhile, water transmission proj-ects in Nevada, California, Wyomingand Texas are planned, and the recentdrought will have a positive short-termimpact on business and opportunities,said Decker. People are concerned aboutrunning out of water, so the sentiment ismuch more positive when the subject ofwater pipelines is broached.

Other potential drivers of businessare the EPA’s move to have a numericcriteria for phosphorous and nitrogen,and efforts to reduce energy consump-tion. There is a big push for combinedheat and power at treatment plants inwhich excess heat from treatment ofwater is used to create power, which canthen be used to treat more water. Anoth-er push is for green infrastructure tohandle runoff and stormwater to reduceflows that would otherwise end upuntreated in local bodies of water.“Green infrastructure is really startingto catch on and should be looked uponas an opportunity,” Decker said.

Pushing down on opportunities forgrowth is a decline in U.S. populationgrowth—at its slowest rate since 1945.Also, water use per capita keeps drop-ping as people attempt to conserve.Worldwide, though, population growthand urbanization are factors for over-seas business opportunities.

“In countries all over the world,when everybody clusters in a city, thatspells business for water and waste-water,” said Decker. “This trend meansdrinking water distribution/treat ment/wastewater treatment and disposal.”

FORECAST: 2012 will be flat, and2013 is likely to remain flat or see aslight uptick. Major opportunities willbe in foreign markets and, on this sideof the ocean, reclaimed water and thepush to use wastewater/heat systemsfor power plants. Internationally, 57%of the business will be in drinkingwater and 43% in wastewater, where-as in the U.S., 60% will be in waste-water and 40% in drinking water.

F a l l 2 0 1 2 | 29

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POWER: INTERNATIONAL IS KEYThe best bet for manufacturers selling tothe power industry is the internationalmarket, especially in coal, according toKevin Geraghty, vice president of PowerGeneration for NV Energy. While ahuge push towards making renewables alarger part of the energy mix is occur-ring in the developed world, in the devel-oping world, the push is for low-cost,high-efficiency baseload power toimprove citizens’ standard of living.

Increasing the percentage of powergenerated by renewables is mandatedfor the U.S. and other developednations; however, the high cost and vari-able production levels of solar and windgeneration mean demands on technolo-gy that are somewhat unrealistic andcannot be considered viable for baseloadpurposes. The passionate views thatsome politicians have with respect torenewables could be considered misdi-rected, and they are harming the effec-tive development of this source of power,he said. “Renewables have a greatfuture, but policy makers really believeit’s something that can happen rightaway. It takes awhile to transitionpower.”

General energy growth for developednations is slowing as it increases for thedeveloping nations. This is partlybecause of the push for clean energy andpartly due to the economic downturn. Itis also because people are trying to con-serve more energy.

For parties seeking a power market,China holds the most promise as far assheer volume, especially in steam mar-kets. Like other developing nations,China is looking for the lowest-costenergy to provide its people. The cheap-est forms of energy—coal, gas andnuclear—will be built internationallywhile the developed nations will bespending much more for power. Thatwill have an effect on competitiveness inmanufacturing, Geraghty said.

Contrary to popular wisdom, theplanet is not running out of coal, so aproject planner in a developing nationwill often opt for that fuel. The price ofcoal is also stable, and while the U.S. isusing less coal, it is exporting more.Some predict that pressure from envi-ronmental groups will force the govern-ment to prevent shipping of coal todeveloping nations, he said.

He also pointed out that many shut-

tered domestic coal plants are low-usefacilities, so the amount of power com-ing out of the grid is still relativelysmall. More coal-fired plants will beretired from 2013 to 2035 than previ-ously thought; however, the reason is notas much air quality or pollutants as it isthe lower price of natural gas, he said.

At the same time that coal is decreas-ing in use, natural gas is receiving muchattention as a fuel source for new plants.He predicted that if producers can get aguaranteed price around $3 for a 10-year supply (market price during thisyear’s Market Outlook was $2.50), then“that will be the death of coal.”

The future of gas is very strong, butit depends on access, he said. Fracing isunder attack, and some environmentalgroups have come out against any newcombined cycle plants in the U.S. “Weworry about that in the power industry,”Geraghty said.

Geraghty currently does not seenuclear growing to be a big part of theU.S. energy supply. However, “We can-not have just one source of energy,” hestressed. “If coal really does go away,nuclear has to step in. Renewables arenot a solution because the cost is justtoo high.”

Power producers are planning forCO2 taxes, which will hit sometime inthe next 10 years. As of Jan. 1, 2013,California is adopting CO2 taxes onpower generation. That will have animpact on production and cost, whichwill put added pressure on developed vs.developing nations.

FORECAST: The developing world isgrowing faster than the developedworld and will seek traditional base-load power sources—coal, nuclear andcombined cycle gas turbine. Policy-makers in the developed world willrequire the replacement of existingpower sources with renewables, energyefficiency and combined cycle gas tur-bine. Renewables, which constituted10% of energy in 2010, will grow to16% by 2035. If natural gas stays lowin price, is really abundant and can berecovered in an environmentallyacceptable way, it will take a largershare of power production.


O U T L O O K 2 0 1 3

Annual coal consumption for U.S. electricity generation, 1995-2013

Electricity Capacity: Cumulative Retirements: Coal

million short tons

1,200

1,000

800

600

400

200

0

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

0

1995

2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 2019 2021 2023 2025 2027 2029 2031 2033 2035

1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013

projected

Annual Energy Outlook 2011 Reference

Reference

GW

The View on Coal

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

HYDROCARBON PROCESSING:GOLDEN AGE OF GAS“Gas processing has been around for along time and has traditionally been thesmallest segment of the hydrocarbonindustry, but it’s becoming more impor-tant due to the surge in natural gas pro-duction,” said Mark Peters, group pub-lisher of Offshore Magazine.

While there is plenty of activity in thenatural gas sector remaining, sinceNovember of 2011, there has been morerig drilling for oil than natural gas inthe U.S., the first time in 20 years thatsituation has happened. This is partlybecause of the high price differentialbetween natural gas and crude oil, heexplained.

The relationship between the two com-modities is complicated because oil isglobally traded in dollars, while naturalgas is in local currencies. Natural gas isalso extremely difficult and expensive totrade overseas. Either a pipeline isrequired or the gas has to be liquefied,which is very expensive. Because of this,the domestic markets have decoupledfrom international prices, and Peters

speculated that could be one of the rea-sons the U.S. is doing better economical-ly than many European countries.

Regarding oil, new extraction tech-nologies, new regions and new ways toexploit regions previously discoveredhave combined to create a significantincrease in production in the U.S.According to Peters, two factors keepinghydrocarbon prices higher is the situation

in Iran where sanctions had just beenposted (as of the workshop) and the lowU.S. dollar. Since everyone pays dollarsfor crude oil, the falling dollar means theactual value that most producers are get-ting is not much higher than a year ago.That is incentive for those producers tokeep oil prices higher than they normallywould be based on economic activity.Prices could go down, though, if the euro

F a l l 2 0 1 2 | 31

Valve Spending in Hydrocarbon Markets by Type of Valve and BudgetValve Type & Budget U.S. Outside U.S. Worldwide

Globe Valves = 64%Capital $155,520,000 $760,320,000 $915,840,000Maintenance 207,360,000 583,680,000 $791,040,000Totals 362,880,000 $1,344,000,000 $1,706,880,000

Ball Valves = 24%Capital $58,320,000 $285,120,000 $343,440,000Maintenance 77,760,000 218,880,000 296,640,000Totals $136,080,000 $504,000,000 $640,080,000

Butterfly Valves = 12%Capital $29,160,000 $142,560,000 $171,720,000Maintenance 38,880,000 109,000,000 147,880,000Totals $68,040,000 $251,560,000 $319,600,000

Source: Oil & Gas Financial Journal

DRIVE TOWARDS LOWEREMISSIONSA variety of factors, including govern-ment-driven regulatory requirementsand the expansion of Environmental,Health and Safety (EHS) programs,have caused end users to place greateremphasis on reducing fugitive emissions.Regulatory standards were developed tocontrol and lower fugitive emissionsbeginning in the 1960s, including theClean Air Act in the United States andthe TA-Luft requirements in Germany.Originally designed to meet regional ornational environmental regulations andobjectives, these sets of standards definespecific test mediums, allowable leakagerates, test cycles and test methods.

The standards required industrialequipment suppliers, such as valve man-ufacturers, to evaluate, test and imple-ment different sealing and packingdesigns to meet the specified fugitiveemissions levels. The typical controlvalve in use at that time could emit any-where from two to 10 times the accept-able levels stated in these regulations,

depending on the valve design, packingtype and material, and operating condi-tions. To meet the new standards, controlvalve manufacturers developed low-emissions packing designs, includinglive-loaded constructions for globe-stylevalves and simple o-ring seals for rotary-type valves (Figure 3).

In 2006, the more stringent ISO15848-1 was introduced as a low-emis-sions standard specifically for industrialvalves. That standard includes variousclassifications and emissions levels forthe potential leak paths described above.Specific to fugitive emissions, ISO

15848-1 sets maximum allowable emis-sions levels, testing procedures and type-testing criteria. Type-testing certificationimplies that compliance to the standardis based on the qualification test resultsfor that type of stem seal or packing. Themajority of the standards fall within thiscategory as illustrated in Figure 4,which is a comparison of the most widelyapplied standards today—ISO 15848-1,ISO 15848-2, TA-Luft and ANSI/FCI91-1—with respect to various testparameters and requirements. The onekey exception to the testing requirementsis ISO 15848-2, which also requires pro-

S u m m e r 2 0 1 2 | 37

Figure 3. Typical low-emissions packing for globe-style control valves (left) and for rotary-stylecontrol valves (right)


falls apart, which would impact construc-tion and exploration.

To get gas from the new shale plays,new pipelines will be needed, and therewill be a shift in the kinds of productsthose pipelines are carrying. Otherpipelines are being reversed. Shell isplanning to build an ethane plant in theMarcellus shale area, and “we’re seeingthe need for pipelines and processing inWyoming and North Texas and Pennsyl-vania,” said Peters. “The shift in pro-duction of oil and gas to different statescreates potential to change the politicalclimate,” he said.

Though there is much talk aboutexporting liquefied natural gas, the con-cern with permitting large exports isthat the U.S. would then be tied into theglobal price of $11 to $12 per thousandcubic feet, which could impact domesticmanufacturing, according to Peters.

For the longer term, oil and naturalgas will still account for 57% of the ener-gy mix by the year 2035, Peters said.Also, despite the U.S. cutting back onuse, coal is expected to go down only 1%in its proportional use in the energy mix.While the U.S. is discontinuing domesticuse of coal, the nation is starting to

export coal into China and the Far East.Liquid biofuels may go as high as 4% ofthe energy mix in 2035. Renewablesexcluding liquid biofuels are currently7%, and should be about 11% in 2035.Nuclear will remain about the same, ataround 9%.

FORECAST: Peters expects thatworldwide natural gas will continueto grow as a percentage of theworld’s primary energy while coal andoil will continue to decline. Increasednatural gas production is driving theneed for more gas processing capaci-ty and the low prices for natural gasliquids is fueling petrochemicalexpansion in the U.S. Valve spending should increase

this year for the hydrocarbon pro-cessing industry. For control andon/off valves, maintenance has beenhigher than capital spending for thelast five to seven years, and this isexpected to continue.

OIL AND GAS: THE UNEXPECTED

The general consensus at last year’s Mar-ket Outlook was that the world would seeslow growth economics in 2012, relative-ly stable commodity prices with oil hover-ing around $90 and gas at about $4, andan increase in drilling activity, JohnSpears of Spears & Associates, remindedthis year’s attendees. However, thingsdidn’t quite go that way, partly due to thevery warm winter, he said.

Natural GasPrices fell by almost half, bringing a 5-6% growth instead of the anticipated10-12%. There also was a full trillioncubic feet extra gas in storage, whichmeant the industry had a very sluggishdemand for gas in the summer. This sit-uation has triggered concerns regardingstorage capacity; there’s a limit as tohow much physical gas can actually gointo storage, which is currently around4 trillion cubic feet.

“Consequently, for awhile, naturalgas was trading lower than the BTU[British thermal units] price of coal,”said Spears. For power production com-panies, “The year-over-year change ingas consumption shows a 20% increase


O U T L O O K 2 0 1 3

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this year, and for a period this year, gasprovided as much fuel to the market ascoal.”

That situation gave an overall lift togas consumption, “maybe as much as5%,” Spears said, and at $3 to $3.40per 1,000 BTU, gas can retain its powershare.

According to Spears, oil demand iscurrently expected to increase, but theestimate of surplus oil productioncapacity that exists in the world, as ofthe second quarter of 2012, is only 2.5million barrels per day (MBD) sparecapacity compared to 90 MBD. That’san historic low 3%, and even thoughcapacity will jump as additional sourcesof supply grow faster than demand, theworld is not going to have any morecommercially available crude than itdoes today because of the sanctions onIran. That’s one of the reasons whySpears said oil prices would remainaround $90 to $100 for the rest of2012.

By 2013, prices will most likely becloser to $80 per barrel, meaning cau-tion in U.S. drilling activity, Spears said.

This will make producers more conserva-tive and reluctant to increase capitalspending.

Natural gas rigs went from 900 tojust about 400 over the past eight to nine

months, but during the same period, oilrigs increased to 1,400 as compared tothe end of 2011 when there were only1,000.

FORECAST: A small decrease in thecost to drill and complete new wells isoffsetting the 5% increase in drillingactivity, leaving overall U.S. drillingand completion expenditures littlechanged in 2012. Spears expectsthese trends to remain in place for2013. Net additions to the NorthAmerican frac fleet are unlikely fromyear-end 2012 to mid-2014, and activ-ity is expected to remain sluggishthrough 2013, depending on theweather. Drilling activity in Canada isforecast to fall 5% in 2012 to an aver-age of 400 active rigs, although activ-ity should pick up there in 2013. U.S. capex on new oilfield equip-

ment is projected to exceed $14 bil-lion in 2012, down 8% from 2011. Asharp fall in spending for new fracequipment will drive another 15%drop in U.S. oilfield equipment spend-ing in 2013.

F a l l 2 0 1 2 | 33

JFMAMJJASONDJFMAMJJASONDJFMAMJJASONDJFMAMJJA

2,200

2,000

1,800

1,600

1,400

1,200

1,000

800

600

1,600

1,400

1,200

1,000

800

600

400

200

0

2009 2010 2011 2012

JFMAMJJASONDJFMAMJJASONDJFMAMJJASONDJFMAMJJA2009 2010 2011 2012

Gas

Oil

U.S. Rig Activity

U.S. Rig Activity by Type

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NUCLEAR MARKET TO DOUBLEThe world’s population is expected toballoon to 9 billion by 2050, much of itin developing nations; because thatgrowing population wants a higherstandard of living, global energydemand will double by 2030, accordingto Mike Higgins, director of CorporateStrategy at AREVA.

In a world that seeks to constraincarbon output, that presents a challenge—renewables simply can’tmeet demand with current technology,which cannot sufficiently store inter-mittent solar and wind power. Mean-while, hydro power is near to beingtapped out, and natural gas, while pop-ular in North America, is not carbon-free and has suffered from pricevolatility. According to Higgins, thatleaves an obvious energy source:nuclear.

Throughout the world, nuclear cur-rently is responsible for 13% of powergeneration; in the U.S., nearly 20% ofpower comes from 104 reactors, most


O U T L O O K 2 0 1 3

0

100,000,000

200,000,000

300,000,000

400,000,000

500,000,000

600,000,000

700,000,000

800,000,000

900,000,000

MW

H

2010200019901980

1977

1979

1981

1983

1985

1987

1989

1991

1993

1995

1997

1999

2001

2003

2005

2007

2009

2011

Source: NEI data

U.S. Nuclear Generation (MWH)

Approved U.S. Nuclear Generator Uprates, 1977-2012annual uprates (megawatts)

annual uprates

cumulative uprates (megawatts)

cumulativeuprates

1,400

1,200

1,000

800

600

400

200

0

7,000

6,000

5,000

4,000

3,000

2,000

1,000

0

of which were built between 1967 and1987. Despite 6500 megawatts (MW)of new nuclear capacity added throughupgrades since 1977, no new plantshave been built in 20 years.

Still, Higgins asserted that, in addi-tion to the events at Fukushima, thelower cost of natural gas has been adisruptor to what was touted as aNuclear Renaissance a decade ago.Only two new nuclear plants are underconstruction in the U.S. Meanwhile,natural gas prices dropped by 75%between 2008 and 2012.

Also, while nuclear power isextremely reliable and the cost of fuelis very low, historic cost and time over-runs in new builds have made newnuclear less enticing in the U.S. than inother parts of the world. Natural gas isnot as abundant or inexpensive else-where. Meanwhile, coal still accountsfor 41% of world energy production,but nuclear is becoming more viablethroughout the developing world.

“A huge growth area for nuclear isin India, China and Russia,” Higginssaid, because of their economies andgrowth in population. “U.S. operatorscan sit back and wait as demand is flat, but they can’t do that in thosemarkets.”

Throughout the world, 63 nuclearplants were under construction as ofJuly 2012: 26 in China, 10 in Russiaand 7 in India. The challenge is tobuild on budget and on time.

”Experience makes the processmore efficient,” Higgins said. “Onceyou’ve been through it, you learn andcorrect mistakes. That encourages utilities to sit back and wait, letting thelearning be on somebody else’s dime.”The newest builds, like Taishan, arebeing watched closely for these rea-sons.

In planning for the future of nuclear,the events at Fukushima are constantlyscrutinized. “In Fukushima,” Higginsreminded the audience, “the reactorswere fine for seismic events. They performed as they were supposed to.They shut down. The loss of the backuppower from the tsunami is what causedthe problems and this brings home thatlesson of the unknowns—you design foreverything you think you can predict,

then something comes along thatexceeds it.”

Because the country is veryresource-constrained, two reactors arecoming back online in Japan. Thisshows how important nuclear is, whichis a theme in most developing nations.“While Germany and Switzerland havebacked off nuclear and decided to shutdown existing plants, the rest of theworld has at least publicly come for-ward with a statement saying that werecognize the value of nuclear andintend to push forward,” said Higgins.

FORECAST: More than 160 newnuclear units are planned globally,and numerous plants are movingthrough the U.S. regulatory process.Because of the intensity of valve usein nuclear technologies, there can bea huge impact when nuclear plantsare developed, but manufacturersmust understand local sourcing reg-ulations in this heavily regulatedenvironment. VM

KATE KUNKEL is senior editor of Valve Magazine.Reach her at [email protected].

F a l l 2 0 1 2 | 35


K nowing the proper way to handlea business card when it’s offered

in another country is a useful tool; butlearning the culture of a country withwhich you do business goes waysbeyond such mannerisms. Travelers toother countries, especially to coun-tries with very different culturalbases, need to learn more than thesocially accepted etiquette or how toavoid embarrassment.

They need to learn and understandthe thinking that underpins a society’saccepted behavioral norms becausethis understanding can affect theentire approach to doing business inanother country and can be instru-mental in guiding business strategiesfor that country.

MORE THAN A MANUALA naïve rehearsal of codes of behaviorlearned from a manual or memorizinga series of perfunctory mannerismsmay get a traveler through an isolatedbusiness meeting or negotiation. How-ever, many missed opportunities arisefor those who do not learn the motiva-tions, values, ethics and beliefs thatunderlie the customs.

While the world is constantlybecoming more integrated throughbetter communication and travel thatlinks countries once far apart in cus-toms and thinking, such links are onlysuperficial. This greater sharedunderstanding may have increasedtolerance of differences, but it has noterased the differences. In particular,the new world of better understandinghas not substantially changed theunderlying culturally influencedbeliefs and values that determine howan individual, a company and thatcompany’s message are received.Indeed, even the degree of sensitivityeach culture has for other cultures

LEARNING THE CONTEXT OF LOCAL CUSTOMS

Understanding the “whys” of a culture enrichesthe experience of traveling to different countriesand can greatly improve the chances travelershave to be successful in business transactions.BY ANETA STEPHENS

F a l l 2 0 1 2 | 37

differs from place to place—merelytalking about such differences in insen-sitive ways can be received with varyinglevels of approval.

LEARN THE CULTUREGiven that the scope of this article islimited by length, we can’t hope to coverthe globe—much of what needs to bedone must be done by individuals goingto specific areas. The relevant back-ground information needed is verydetailed and unique to each country, andoften to sub-regions or social status ofthe individual parties. Numerous exam-ples of cultural idiosyncrasies can befound on the Internet, in travel litera-ture and within manuals put together toteach about different cultures.

Some generality does exist, however.For example, gestures involving the fin-gers are best avoided everywhere,because they are particularly susceptibleto a broad variety of undesirable inter-pretations. Also, although this does notapply to all cultures, doing things withthe right hand (as opposed to the left) isa good default to use. Shaking hands isnow common practice in most of theworld, but it wasn’t always so and stillcan be subject to gender differences insome areas. Visitors also should beaware that other than that handshake, itis preferable not to touch another per-son until learning the given culture andcircumstances where touching is appro-priate.

Generalities also exist within regions.An example is the business card men-tioned at the beginning of this article.When meeting people from China orJapan, travelers should know that cards(and most things that are being passedfrom one person to another) are givenand received with both hands, and atten-tion to the card itself is a sign ofrespect. A business card should belooked at, then placed in a business cardcase/holder, rather than stuffed in apocket.

Another example is forms of address.Various forms of addressing someoneverbally or in writing are acceptable. Insome areas, the preference is first namewhile in others it might be last name.There are also differences in appropriate

clothing, tipping, dining, smoking, eat-ing, personal space, religion, time andpunctuality, among many considerations.

Cultural expectations also can varygreatly from one country to the next.For example, gifts are expected in somecountries, while in others they are seenas “bribes” to be avoided amongstrangers. Given the potential for misun-derstanding, gift giving requires thor-ough research. Also, in the past decade,the world’s international organizationshave moved dramatically to establishstrong policies in favor of transparencyand against corruption and bribery.1

RESPECTWhile it is tempting to use the universalpractice of simply showing respect, thispresupposes that what passes for respectin one culture will also appear respectfulin others.

One universally accepted way todemonstrate respect, however, is bylearning a few basic phrases of the lan-guage, while ensuring that pronuncia-tion is good enough not to alter themeaning, and learning how to addresssomeone. The basics of language shouldsuffice for most situations, such as

greetings (when to use hello rather thangood day), please, thank you, you arewelcome, good bye, it was nice to meetyou, etc. But pronouncing guests’ orhosts’ names correctly in their nativelanguage is a minimum standard for allvisits.

For North American visitors to othercountries, it is worth repeating oftenthat addressing others is different in vir-tually every country outside of NorthAmerica. While we tend to be informalhere, in most places, the habit of callingpeople by their titles or by their lastnames (complete with Mr., Mrs., Ms.,etc.) is much more common. As wellintentioned as it may be to address acontact in Europe by his or her firstname to invoke a feeling of familiarityand friendliness, visitors there ought toresist the natural temptation. Thenotable exception is in dealing with col-leagues or others who already know theperson very well. However, the impor-tant distinction to learn is this: there aresituations, times, and places when it isstrictly necessary to use a formaladdress even for people otherwiseacquainted on a first-name basis.

UNDERSTANDINGLack of ability to convey meaning pre-cisely goes beyond the sometimeshumorous situations that occur—it isconsidered impolite in some cultures toask for reiteration or explanation, whichleads to some sticky situations.

1Useful links on this topic are: The Foreign CorruptPractices Act (FCPA), http://www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/fcpa/; Organization of AmericanStates (OAS), www.oas.org; Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD),www.oecd.org; The European Union and the Council of Europe, www.coe.int, United Nations,www.un.org.

A plant tour in Suzhou China

An example would be a situationwhere a business partner from a foreigncountry asks a host (no matter howpolitely phrased): “…did you under-stand what I said?” The answer mightwell be “yes” even after the guest triesto follow up with due diligence by stat-ing: “…and will you do what we agreedupon and by the time we agreed upon?”Again, very politely and without anysign of doubt, the answer might be“yes” to show respect. The final out-come, however, may well be that therequisite understanding was not present,and consequently the desired result isnot obtained.

This is one situation where it is bestto bring in a speaker of the local lan-guage who is thoroughly familiar withlocal customs. He or she could clearlyconvey back to the visitor both themeaning of the conversation and theintent of what is to take place.

Equally important is how officialtranslations are handled: They need tobe made only by highly qualified trans-lator firms. It is also worthy to note thatin some areas of the world (China, forexample), the contract you are intent on

translating may need to be handled by agovernment-sanctioned entity to bevalid and legal, and to meet local standards.

WHEN IN ROME ... OR CHINAAn important consideration when host-ing people of a different culture is toensure they understand what they aregetting into when the host tries to givethe guest a valid foreign experience.Those guests might also try to under-stand beforehand what is to come.

For example, Chinese hosts often tryto make the visits of European or NorthAmerican people more interesting andpleasurable by taking them to venueswhere genuine Chinese food is served.These hosts, however, should not be shyabout explaining the food, includingspecifics about the presentation. Serv-ing pork sections with a generous layerof fat and skin with pig-hair stillattached may be received with enthusi-asm by people naturally interested inother cultures and willing to try differ-ent things. But many visitors prefer foodmore like what they order at a Chineserestaurant in their home country. In

such situations, both the hosts and visi-tors may need to venture outside theircomfort zones or at least openly discussexpectations and options available.

Another cultural difference when itcomes to dining is who is expected oreven allowed to pay for a meal. Thisissue is subject to local customs thatvary from country to country, as doesthe proper manner and amount ofmoney to give as a tip in a restaurant,hotel and elsewhere.

One particular incident in which din-ing habits showed cultural differencesinvolved a visit by a business group fromEurope to China. The visitors believedthey were quite obliging as they atefrom a Hot Pot (a large pot served atthe table from which all diners extractchunks with their chop sticks). InEurope, people generally eat only fromtheir own dishes so they felt they werebeing accommodating by sharing in thecommunal dining. However, it becamesomewhat awkward when the Euro-peans proceeded to use their spoons toconsume the liquid as well as the meatportions from the shared container. Ingeneral, only the meat is shared.


L O C A L C U S T O M S

Standards are developeddue to the hard work andcommitment of many dedi-cated professionals.MSSand the valve industry lostone of its hardest workersand biggest promoters withthe passing ofTom HannafinthisAugust.Tom was thenewly elected president ofMSS and had been active init for 20 years.The Industrywill truly missTom.But wethink he will be missedmost by his colleagues atMSS,because of the family

nature of the organization.While the business ofstandards development is aserious undertaking, at MSSthat business is performedwithin an atmosphere ofcamaraderie and fellowship.

There are currently 84member companies underthe MSS family umbrella,but there is always roomfor more.Please contactthe MSS office if you areinterested in the serious,but rewarding work ofstandards development.

If you would like to partici-pate in the development ofthese valuable new valveand piping standards,MSSwould like to hear from you.

For further informationon MSS membership orMSS standards, pleasecontact Bob O’Neill,MSSExecutive Director at703-281-6613 or atwww.mss.hq.org.

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I N M E M O R I U M

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Such incidents can be made into amutual learning experience for both vis-itors and hosts if the hosts offer to guidetheir guests through the meal etiquetteassociated with each course. On theother hand, the European visitors alsocould have studied up on various foodcustoms in China ahead of time or evenasked on the spot what was the rightway to partake of the dish.

MORE SIMPLEDIFFERENCESTaking photographs of people, unlessyou work for National Geographic, is oftennot a good idea without understandingwhat you’re doing. An example was arecent visit to rural China where tod-dlers were running around withoutclothes or diapers. The problem wasthat because they had no diapers, cer-tain parts of their anatomy were not

covered. The visitors proceeded to takephotographs of the cute children so theycould share their cultural experiencewith friends and family back home.However, their action was greeted withevident disapproval by the locals, who

removed their children from sight.A good rule of thumb in this case, as

in many cases, is to err on the side ofhumility, caution, politeness and dis-creetness. A visitor can still end updoing something wrong, but may getcredit for having good intentions.

As previously discussed, understand-ing the reasons behind a practice (whatthe culture is and how it came to be) canbenefit beyond merely avoiding a fauxpas. Breaking down cultural barrierscan enable collaboration, sharing ofideas and conducting commercial busi-ness with companies, organizations andpeople outside your local markets. Shar-ing a relaxing tea time with hosts beforecommencing business negotiations, forexample, is not done for ceremonial rea-sons. It is intended to give both partiestime to get to know each other and toestablish a relationship that will set theframework for the eventual businesstransaction. VM

ANETA STEPHENS is director of Global MarketingCommunications for CRANE ChemPharma FlowSolutions & CRANE Energy Flow Solutions. She isa member of VMA’s Communications Committee.Reach her at [email protected].

F a l l 2 0 1 2 | 39

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TIP: To learn more about international business interaction principles, business travel-ers can use the resources and knowledge of their local channel partners and represen-tatives. Spend time with them to learn about the differences; accompany them duringsales calls, and ask them ahead of a meeting what is expected; observe the interactionduring meetings, noting how people conduct themselves, and adapt as appropriate.

AS THE WORLDTURNS … VMA Members Travel to Unfamiliar PlacesBY GENILEE PARENTE

W ith globalization has come anincreased need for cultures to

intermingle. For business travelers, thatcan often place them in unusual andoccasionally uncomfortable situations.However, such travel can also containrich rewards as travelers pick up school-ing from the best source: meeting thepeople of a country or region face-to-face. Here are some examples fromVMA members.

THE JOURNEY ITSELFSometimes the adventures involved withinternational travel have to do with theroad that leads there and what’sencountered along the way.

Alejandro Garcia, regional managerof distribution products in Latin Ameri-ca and the Caribbean, Cameron Valves& Measurement, tells what it was liketo travel to a jungle in Ecuador.

“It was challenging from the starthaving all the vaccinations necessary toenter a territory that belongs to thelocal Ecuadorian tribes,” he begins. Hewas there to visit an international oilcompany, but the rules that apply totravelers often are set by local and statepolicies, and arrangements are oftenmade to protect business visitors.

“To get there, you have to fly fromQuito to El Coca, and take a river ridefor a few hours on a boat with five mili-tary people who have heavy weapons forsecurity and to protect against the riskof kidnappings,” he said.

But even though Internet and phonecommunication is very limited, the ter-rain is rough and the journey long, “Itis a great experience. I’ve returnedthree times and every time I’ve gone,I’ve seen and learned something newbecause of the travel environment,” he says.

Joe Kelly, general manager –EAME, Distributed Valves, Cameron,tells of a long, slow journey to an oilfacility in Pakistan.

“I can’t remember exactly where itwas, just that it took a very long time ona road that went through rural vil-lages,” he said. At one point, the carwent through a marketplace where “wesaw a sheep carcass on a market stallthat was black. I didn’t understand whyuntil somebody flicked a stick and theflies dispersed,” he recalls.

Peter Seto, director of sales, ITTValves for Asia Pacific, recalls a visit toa mine in Mongolia.

“From the capital of Ulaanbaatar,it’s a six- to seven-hour drive to the site,but along the way we had to stop for thenight. We did not stay in a typical hotel,but rather a Ger, which I think is themost unique hotel I have every stayedin,” he recalls. A Ger is a traditionaldwelling for the nomads that is a seriesof tents over a wooden frame, which isthen covered with wool.

RESPECTING LOCALCUSTOMSAlthough the hospitality of the people inthe area is often one of the most pleas-ant aspects of travel, it can also presentsome tricky situations.

Among the places that Mike Hen-drick, vice president, Sales and Market-

ing, Conval, frequently travels is China.He tells of one particularly memorabledinner.

“We ordered a lobster, and theybrought it out alive. Because I was thesponsor, they asked if it was okay. Itwas big and healthy so I said it wasfine. They then proceeded to slice upthe tail and people starting eating sec-tions of it … while the lobster was stillkicking,” he says.

“That was interesting enough, butwhen they finished the tail, they took therest and chopped it up and put it intothe soup, shells and all,” he explains.

The American business people didn’tknow quite how to handle that, andwere politely spitting shells into theirnapkins, while the Chinese, “spit theirshells out onto their plates,” Hendrickexplains.

He also talks about a long car trip toa power plant in a remote section ofChina. The trip itself was about fourhours.

“There were four other people in thatcar, and they were all smoking and talk-ing on their cell phones the entire way.It was winter so the windows wereclosed. Then, when we got there andwent to lunch, every place setting had apack of cigarettes and a can of beer.”

Those practices showed him how dif-ferent the cultures are at present, but itwas what happened after lunch that


A Velan booth receives prominence at a nuclear event in China.

L O C A L C U S T O M S

showed him just how remote that four-hour drive had been.

“We were standing outside and ateenager rode by on a bike and stared atme so hard, he almost turned over thebike. He’d never seen a Westernerbefore,” Hendrick explains.

Often, once a visitor gets used to alocal custom, they begin to look forwardto it.

Wolfgang Maar, executive vice presi-dent of International Sales and OverseasOperations, Velan, refers to a commontradition in the Middle East.

“In the U.S., you go into a meetingand everybody exchanges ‘how areyou’s’ for about two minutes. But in theMiddle East, I know that we will spendabout 20 minutes before a meetingdrinking tea and eating fruits,” heexplains. “That’s a very nice way tostart to talk to the people that you’ll bedoing business with,” he explains.

A QUESTION OF TIMEWhile the getting-to-know you phase ofa trip to the Middle East is pleasant, italso illustrates a major difference inthinking. One of the hardest cultural dif-ferences for Westerners to face abroadis the different concepts people have oftime.

Mark Shipp, sales manager –Europe, North Africa, Caspian & Rus-sia – Distributed Valves, Cameron, saysthat Libya was a great culture shockfor him.

The heat everywhere in the MiddleEast is hard for foreign visitors, but“travelling there (to Libya) was the easypart,” he says. What’s not so easy isthat “meetings are constantly interrupt-ed by religious needs or people not arriv-ing or being available at agreed-upontimes,” he says.

To the people in the Middle East,prayer time is more sacred than a busi-ness meeting and even the malls clearout while people go to a prayer center toworship.

In some areas of the world, theschedule for a day’s work is much differ-ent. In North Africa, for example, “peo-ple normally eat [evening meal] at10:30 p.m., which is hard to get used to.They frequently leave a meeting forprayer, and many employees have two or

three jobs they need to get to,” he says.Russia is another example.As Wolfgang Maar explains, “When

I have a Russian meeting scheduled for9, I am there two to five minutes beforethe hour. But I’m normally the only onethere. No one shows up until about9:20,” he says.

But this illustrates for him one of themain lessons people need to learn indealing with different areas of theworld.

“It’s sometimes painful for people inWestern parts of the world who are soused to keeping their tight schedules,but you can’t get upset. They aren’ttreating you differently than anyoneelse. It’s just the way they are, and youneed to learn to cope with it,” he says.

HOW TO LEARNOne of the main ways that people travel-ing to new areas learn the culture is totalk to someone there—and “there”doesn’t mean just the country itself, butrather each region.

In the Middle East, for example, youare working not only with people differ-ent than a home country might be, butalso different types of people withineach country of the Middle East.

“That area of the world is a realmelting pot with numerous cultures,”Joe Kelly says. “The best way to dealwith the various styles is to find a localpartner who understands Western waysand can ‘translate’ the meanings in away you can learn.”

For people like Wolfgang Maar, whoare constantly on the go, the learningprocess in dealing with new areas neverends.

“It’s critical to know the rules thatapply to where you’re going but even ifyou spend hours on Wikipedia or study-ing references, you’ve still got a lot oflittle nuances to learn. Many peopledon’t know that in Greece, for example,if you show someone the inside of yourhand like you would if you were waving,it means bad luck,” he explains.

Besides reading, research and talk-ing to contacts, Maar has another mainsource of information.

“I talk to the taxi drivers at the air-port. They can tell you just about every-thing about the rules of the area you’revisiting,” he says.

Mike Hendrick adds that “in mostof the places I travel, I have contactsthere already through our own officesor previous visits from me or others.Before any visit, however, I talk tothose contacts about what’s taboo,where the minefields might be andwhat the expectations are, both indress and mannerism.”

No matter how well prepared, however, there are always little thingsthat can trip you up and those nuancesapply to Europe as well as more exoticareas. In Scotland, for example, Hen-drick discovered that people attending aconference in that country are not likethose in the U.S., who dress casuallyduring the summer. He went to a meet-ing where he was a speaker dressed in aWesterner’s golf shirt and casual slacksonly to quickly discover he was out ofplace—everyone else was in suit and tie.

No matter where he goes, however,he tries to keep in mind the one lessondeeply ingrained in him from his travels.

“In many parts of the world, it’s hardto travel as a Westerner when you seehow some countries have very rich and very poor. But you also seethat when you take government out ofthe picture, it doesn’t matter where yougo. People are all the same. They careabout family and they care about pro-viding for that family,” he says. VM

GENILEE PARENTE is managing editor of ValveMagazine. Reach her at [email protected].

F a l l 2 0 1 2 | 41

On a trip to Mongolia, ITT’s Peter Seto had achance to stay in a rather unique hotel: aGer, which is made up of tents.

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Wireless technology has created mon-itoring applications for safety, reli-

ability, maintenance, environmental com-pliance and increased personnelefficiency that are possible without incur-ring the traditional cost and time barriersimposed by wires. Globally, plants arereplacing manual clipboard rounds,automating periodic inspections andmonitoring more assets than ever beforebecause of these new applications. Butwhat is the status of wireless control ofvalves in particular?

THE CASE TO AUTOMATEEngineers know there are advantages andconsequences to every design decision. Tounderstand the benefits of wireless forcontrol of valves, a fresh look at the twobasic types of control is needed: closedloop control and open loop control.

Traditionally, in a distributed controlsystem (DCS) or programmable logiccontroller (PLC), closed loop controlimplies wired signal inputs applied tologic or a Proportional-Integral-Deriva-tive (PID) algorithm to drive a signal out-put to a final control element—mostoften a valve. Traditional technologiesinclude pneumatic, analog wired or buswired. If the decision to automate wasleft to the process engineer, every valvewould be automated. However, the cost ofwired installations ultimately means thatover 60% of valves remain manual—pri-marily on/off quarter-turn valves.

When financial analysis indicates aproject’s cost is too high, an engineer’sfallback option is to select open loop con-trol, where no automated feedback fromthe valve is used. This operating tactic isprimarily made to get the control signalto the valve, and if something does nothappen when it should, a human must

IMPROVING PROCESS EFFICIENCY WITH WIRELESS VALVEAUTOMATION

The economics and simplicity of wireless fieldinstruments has allowed many industrialplants to expand the benefits of automationwell beyond traditional “wired” control. BY KURTIS JENSEN

A smart wirelessgateway is strategicallypositioned on a controlroom roof.

determine if the desired change tookeffect. Automation budgets can focus onthe throttling control valves and theon/off valves that are either part of asafety shutdown system, that operatevery frequently or that are too big to bemanually actuated. The rest are left tomanual operation.

People are the most important assetof any business, and people are affectedby the consequences of open loop con-trol. This is especially true in olderplants trying to compete with newerplants or plants built with lower costsfor labor and fewer governmental regu-lations for safety and the environment.When interrupted, distracted peoplemake mistakes, take time to get tovalves and become susceptible to planthazards. Imagine the impact to processefficiency if the benefits of closed loopcontrol could be obtained without thecost of wiring infrastructure. Imaginethe advantage of reducing valve align-ment time from hours to seconds, pre-venting human error that results in envi-ronmental spills or lost batches withassociated cleanup costs, and minimiz-ing worker exposure to ladders andchemicals that impact safety initiativesand productivity. These are possibilitieswith wireless technologies.

ALTERNATIVE TOSOLENOIDS AND HANDLESThe traditional method for closed loopcontrol with an on/off valve is to use asolenoid and two limit switches. Froman automation perspective, this can be

more expensive than a throttling controlvalve because the process requires onediscrete output and two discrete inputsinto the DCS.

The input/output (I/O) points, wires,engineering, materials, labor, projectmanagement and time costs are consid-ered during the project planning phase;with just a solenoid or manual valvecontaining a handle, the costs are lower.A solenoid with no feedback leaves aprocess susceptible to operation with astuck valve, and a handle creates theopportunity for human error. Wirelesscontrol eliminates both of these weak-nesses of open loop control for valves insuch a way that the loop can be closedon a budget. With a wireless device, theadded costs of sending back the valve’sposition are included with the instru-ment, making it easier to automatemore valves in the project planningphase.

MAINTAINING ESSENTIALWORK PRACTICESEmerging wireless controllers for valveautomation essentially combine solenoidfunctionality with limit switch feedbackinto an integrated package that has allthe benefits of digital communicationand diagnostics, but is also powered bya battery. The result is that only a pneu-matic source is needed to automate thatvalve. This capability maintains essen-tial work practices while eliminating thebarriers that result in just 1-2% ofexisting manual valves being automatedannually. Here’s how:

Design SelectionA wireless controller is an alternative toa solenoid or digital bus-based con-trollers that still require wires. The wire-less controller uses the same pneumaticactuator and valve. The selection criteriafor choosing the valve and the actuatorremain the same (Figures 1 and 2).

Application SelectionA wireless automated on/off valve is theideal replacement for a valve currentlyactuated by a worker. The wireless con-troller eliminates the potential forhuman error and allows work practicesto be automated into interlocks andsafety checks. A wireless controller is analternative to solenoids for applicationsthat are not part of a critical safetyshutdown system. It’s also faster thanthose humans (Figure 3).

Control System IntegrationThe simplicity of wireless controlensures that a digital set point for openand close can be sent from the DCS orPLC and can receive position feedbackfrom that same field instrument. A wire-less controller is connected to a wirelessnetwork in an arrangement similar totraditionally wired I/O; however, the setpoint and position feedback are wire-less—another type of I/O that can beintegrated into interlocks, timingsequences and logic just like the wiredalternatives.

OperationA wireless automated valve is operated


W I R E L E S S V A L V E A U T O M A T I O N

Handwheel

MountingKit

Valve

MountingKit

MountingKit

Valve

Actuator

ValveController

Figure 1. Manual valve Figure 2. Typical valve automation package

MountingKit

MountingKit

Valve

Actuator

ValveController

Figure 3. Wireless valve automation package

the same way as a solenoid and limit switches. When the rightlogic conditions exist or action is executed from the controlsystem, the valve moves and reports back the position to thecontrol system for confirmation of the change. If the valvedoes not move because of mechanical failure, the operatorreceives an alert that can be diagnosed remotely by looking atthe valve position or investigated more closely using remoteaccess to diagnostics of the valve assembly. For typical appli-cations, a battery-powered valve should have the same life as awired alternative in terms of valve cycle life and years.

Budget ApprovalWhen estimating budgets using wireless automated valves, thematerial cost of wires, cabling infrastructure, junction boxes,engineering time and cost for connecting to the control system,labor time and cost for electrical installation can be eliminat-ed, and the reduction in time spent managing these resourcesand schedule should be considered. Removing these barriers toproject approval and adding the benefits of reducing conse-quences of human error and exposure to hazardous environ-ments can ensure project approval.

WIRELESS FOR AUTOMATED CONTROLSEngineers can deploy wireless automated valves to increasethe effectiveness of their controls and decrease costs causedfrom mistakes and reworks. They can achieve a competitiveedge by increasing the production levels of their facilities andreducing delays of waiting on labor to either make a change orfix the product. The result is better throughput, reliability andquality.

Engineers should look for solutions that are multivendorand can be used globally. They should look at the tools neededto use these solutions. For example, they should determinewhether they can use the same handheld configuration devicefor both wired and wireless instruments. From a wireless per-spective, the network should be able to mitigate obstacles inthe process environment, provide redundant paths for reliablecommunications and coexist with other wireless communica-tion sources. If a wireless engineer is needed to perform a sitesurvey and implement the wireless network, alternative wire-less technologies should be considered.

THE TAKE AWAYWireless has been used for years for monitoring applicationsto extend the benefits of automation beyond process control.The technology has proven itself, and on/off automation caneliminate traditional cost and engineering barriers. Whether itis for a fill, feed, flush, bypass or other type of valve applica-tion, wireless automation can improve process efficiency,reduce costly mistakes, and improve worker safety and pro-ductivity. As wireless continues to prove its worth throughclosing open loops for off valves, look for other wirelessclosed-loop alternatives in the future. VM

KURTIS JENSEN is an instruments product manager at Emerson ProcessManagement, representing Fisher and Valve Automation Products. His respon-sibilities include control accessories and related field instrumentation. ReachJensen at [email protected].

F a l l 2 0 1 2 | 45

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T o be of value, valves must beattached to a piping system. How

that attachment occurs has changedover time. For decades, screwed orflanged connections were the only wayto go. However, the perfection of fusionwelding techniques in the 1930s led theway for new methods of joining pipingcomponents, including valves. Thesenew ways are the butt-weld (BWE)(Figure 1) and socket-weld (SW) (Fig-ure 2) end connections.

Both of these joining techniques cre-ate a homogenous entity composed ofthe two components to be joined andfiller metal. Since there is no gasketedconnection, the chance of joint leakageis virtually nil as long as the welding isperformed correctly and the properwelding procedure is used. These weldedjoints are much preferred for high-tem-perature applications such as steam orcritical refinery processes.

These two types of welded connec-tions have different joining philosophies.The BWE connection is completed byperforming what is called a “full pene-tration weld” to connect the two com-ponents. The SW end connection useswhat is called a “fillet weld” to connectthe two components. Although bothjoints create a potentially leak-freeattachment, the BWE is a higherintegrity joint than the SW.

BWE ADVANTAGESWhy is the BWE better? The butt-weldjoint has greater strength because thefull area of the pipe (inside diameter tooutside diameter or ID to OD) is com-pletely filled with weld deposit, and thefiller material becomes one with bothjoined components. Meanwhile, the fil-let-weld is a much smaller, triangle-shaped weldment that connects the out-side of the pipe with the slightly larger

outside and endof the socketthrough which itis slipped.Another disad-vantage for theSW joint is thatit retains a voidbetween theinserted pipeand the socket,which can retainfluid and act asan inception point for corrosion.

While the BWE is a higher integrityjoint, it is also more difficult and costlyto field weld on pipe connections lessthan NPS 2, which are commonlyjoined via socket-type welds. However,some piping designers choose the BWEon small-diameter pipe connections inhighly critical or lethal service applica-tions. Where fugitive emissions are anoverriding concern, the combination ofa welded-bonnet bellows-sealed valvewith butt-weld ends provides the ulti-mate protection.

The fillet-welding process is straight-forward and relatively easy for a quali-fied welder to perform. A pipe is slippedinto the socket of a SW end valve or fit-ting and a scratch mark is made around

the pipe after it reaches the bottom ofthe socket. The pipe is then retractedabout 1/16th of an inch, to allow forexpansion of the pipe as it is heated up.The fillet weld is then applied witheither the gas tungsten arc (GTAW),also called the “TIG” process or theshielded metal arc (SMAW) also calledthe “stick” process.

The full-penetration butt weld ismore difficult to learn and to perform.The pipes or pipe and valve are alignedID to ID and OD to OD, with a toleranceof 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch, depending onpipe size. Next, a tack weld procedure isused to deposit several small dots ofweld around the periphery of the joint.After that, a small layer of weld metalcalled a root pass is deposited at thebottom of the groove all the wayaround, in a manner that ensures theweld melts into and through both com-ponents being joined. After the rootpass is complete and perfect, final coverpasses of weld material are added to fillup the groove area.

THE RIGHT DIMENSIONSThe dimensions of SW sockets and butt-weld ends have to be precise and withintolerance. In the case of the SW, theyshould be machined in accordance withAmerican Society of Mechanical Engi-neers (ASME) B16.11, Forged Fittings,Socket-Welding and Threaded. Howev-er, recently occasional batches ofimported pipe have been noted asexhibiting an outside dimension that isout of tolerance and will not easily slipinto a correctly machined socket.

Butt-weld end dimensions aredetailed in two primary documents. Forcompact valves, American PetroleumInstitute (API) 602, Steel Gate, Globe& Check Valves for Sizes NPS 4 and

BEYONDVALVES BY GREG JOHNSON

No Gaskets Required: Weld End Connections for Valves

Figure 1. A butt-weldpressure-seal globe valve

Figure 2. Asocket-weld endglobe valve


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Smaller for Use in the Petroleum andNatural Gas Industries, has a table anddrawing of the correct BWE design. Forlarger valves and other non-API 602valves, ASME B16.25, ButtweldingEnds is the governing document forBWE dimensions and tolerances.

One area of concern with cast valvesis the integrity of the welding area thatwill mate with other piping components.This beveled area must be sound andfree of severe gas pockets or shrinkagethat could create quality issues, whichwould affect the welding to be per-formed above and adjacent to the weldarea. Oftentimes these weldments areradiographed, and many cases havebeen found where porosity in the valvewas interpreted as bad welding by thewelder after the radiograph showeddefects in these areas. Bad indicationsrequire the time-consuming task of

grinding out the defect, repairing theweld and performing additional non-destructive evaluation. This is the rea-son many construction codes requirethat BWE areas be radiographed priorto welding.

Another issue related to BWEintegrity on cast valves is the procedurewhere the flanges of cast raised-facevalves are cut off and then machined toa beveled BWE for joining by welding.Because of the location of the cuttingand machining, an area highly prone tocasting defects is now exposed or hiddenslightly below the surface. While thesedefects may be satisfactory on a castvalve with flanges intact, they are unac-ceptable on butt-weld ends that will beexposed to the thermal welding process.If flanged cast valves are to be modifiedto BWE, it is important that the ends beradiographed prior to any welding.

Generally, SW ends are not radi-

ographed, but if non-destructive exami-nation is required, either the magneticparticle (MT) or dye penetrant (PT)examination process usually isemployed.

One area where welding ends areexclusively used is underground andunderwater in the pipeline industry,where the highest integrity joints aremandated for these hard-to-observepipe connections. This requirementapplies to pipeline valves as well. How-ever, one concern in field-welding large-diameter, elastomer-seated valves isthat the delicate seating surfaces can bedamaged. As a result, most pipelinecompanies prefer their valves have sev-eral feet of pipe, called “pups,” weldedonto each end of the valve before itreaches the job site. This makes the ultimate field-welding process lessharmful for the valve.

The welding of pipe pups onto theends of smaller elastomer-seated ballvalves is also commonly performed.This allows the potentially damaginghigh-temperature welding operation tobe performed in a controlled shop envi-ronment, where the soft seats can bekept cool while the pups are welded intothe valve ends or welded into disassem-bled valves prior to final testing.

The obvious disadvantage of welded-in valves is that they are not easy toremove from the line for replacement orrepair. This means that costly field service repairs may be necessary if thevalves require renovation.

For this reason, while welded-invalves are very useful tools in the pipingdesigner’s tool-chest, they still will bejoined for a long time to come with theold standbys, the screwed and flangedend valves. VM

GREG JOHNSON is president of United Valve(www.unitedvalve.com), Houston, and is a con-tributing editor to Valve Magazine. He serves aschairman of VMA’s Education & Training Commit-tee, is a member of the VMA CommunicationsCommittee and is president of the ManufacturersStandardization Society. Reach him [email protected].

BEYONDVALVES

Are you anexpertin yourfield?

Intrigued? Please contact Genilee Parente, managing editor, at [email protected] or Kate Kunkel, senior/web editor at [email protected] if you have an idea for a topic.

The benefits:1. Know that you are passing

on your hard-earned knowledge to those whowill be running our industryin years to come.

2. Bring recognition to yourcompany… and to yourself.

3. Create and use handoutsand Web links for your owneducational efforts.

4. Lift your image in the eyesof your customers andpeers.

If you’re not a writer, don’tworry: Our skilled editors willassist you in your efforts. Please note: Valve Magazineonly publishes articles that donot promote a particular company’s products or services. However, writersreceive a byline that includesposition, company, websiteand email so readers can getin touch for further information.

Consider writing an educational article for Valve Magazine



T he key to successful sizing or selec-tion of the right valve actuator for

a job is communication. That communi-cation occurs between the specifier ofthe automated valve, the valve supplierand the actuator supplier. The selectionprocess itself is straightforward—actu-ator manufacturers publish selection ortechnical data charts. The task of theperson who is sizing or selecting con-sists of comparing the project’s valveactuation requirements against theactuator manufacturer’s publisheddata.

THE DATAThe information required to properlyselect an actuator comes in two parts.The first part consists of the applicationrequirements such as the ambient condi-tions, enclosure requirements, operatingtime or speed, and control interface.These criteria are defined in the actua-tor specification and related documents.That specification describes the detailedfeatures the designer requires of theactuator.

Sometimes the specification includescritical actuator sizing requirementssuch as a factor of safety to be appliedto the unfactored valve operatingtorque. Because this is a crucial part ofcommunication, it’s critical that thevalve supplier pass along that actuatorspecification to the actuator supplier.

The specification usually consists ofa written document with controlschematics, and in the case of electricactuators, a wiring diagram. Anothercritical piece of information is the actu-ator power medium—the available airor hydraulic pressure for a fluid poweractuator or electrical mains power(voltage, phase and frequency) for anelectric actuator.

The second part of the informationrequired consists of valve operatingrequirements. Typically, valve operatingcriteria consist of: valve type and size,type of actuation (multi turn, part turnor linear), and torque and thrustrequired over the full cycle of valveoperation. The torque/thrust require-

ments include the seating and unseatingpositions and the run torque requiredduring mid-travel, valve stem charac-teristics including diameter, key dimen-sions, and thread pitch and lead asappropriate.

Other necessary information mightinclude required valve and actuatormounting interface and dimensions,space considerations, and gearboxesprovided by the valve supplier that canturn a part-turn requirement into amulti-turn requirement. These criteriavary by valve type and vary from manu-facturer to manufacturer. The valvemanufacturer is the best and most reli-able source for that information.

Sometimes the information given tothe actuator supplier is not complete orthe actuator supplier has additionalquestions. Unfortunately, many writtenspecifications are not as clear as theyshould be or have conflicting require-ments. The actuator supplier is trainedto identify those discrepancies. That’swhen additional two-way or three-waycommunication among the specifier,valve supplier and actuator supplier isnecessary.

THE SELECTIONWhen the actuator supplier has all therequired information, the selectionprocess is usually clear-cut. The actua-tor supplier combines the specificationneeds with the valve operating criteriaand determines the overall valve actua-tion requirements. Those requirementsare then compared with the appropriateactuator manufacturer’s published tech-nical data or selection charts.

Actuator manufacturers have specif-ic products and resulting charts formulti-turn, part-turn and linear actua-tors. Those charts list specific actuator

ACTUATORS&CONTROLSSizing Actuators: It’s All about Communication

BY RICH OAKS

When the actuatorsupplier has all therequired information,the selection processis usually clear-cut.

The suppliercombines the

specification needswith the valve

operating criteria anddetermines the overall

valve actuationrequirements.

F a l l 2 0 1 2 | 51

models and the performance criteria ofthose models. Criteria include torquerating, thrust rating as appropriate,stem diameter acceptance, availableoperating speed or closing time, mount-ing flanges and weight. Any of those cri-teria can be critical or determining fac-tors in selecting the particular model.

For example, a specific actuatormodel may meet the valve operatingrequirements for torque and thrust, butthe valve stem diameter is too large forthat model. That causes the actuatorselection to be increased to accommo-date the stem diameter. In this case, thevalve stem diameter is the critical factorin selecting the actuator.

Again, communication comes intoplay—dialog between the valve supplierand actuator supplier on the subject ofstem diameter could lead to the valvesupplier decreasing the stem diameter,allowing the smaller, more optimalactuator to be selected.

When an electric actuator is select-ed, the stall torque of the selected actu-ator should receive attention. Positionlimit sensors, torque sensors and phasecorrection devices furnished in state-of-the-art electric actuators protect thevalve from motor stall, provided theactuator was properly commissioned onthe valve. There are isolated cases, how-ever, where the valve may encounter thestall torque of the actuator, which is upto 50% above the published torque rat-ing, particularly if the actuator motorcontrols are not provided by the actua-tor supplier. For this reason, assuringthe valve and valve actuator mountinginterface can withstand that stall torqueis critical.

Open communication of all specifica-tion and valve operating data will resultin proper actuator selection andachievement of the ultimate goal: a cor-rectly applied automated valve. VM

RICHARD OAKS is marketing manager forAUMA Actuators, Inc. (www.auma-usa.com),located in Canonsburg, PA. He is a member of theVMA Market Trends Committee and serves on theValve Magazine Editorial Review Board. Oaks is alsothe recipient of VMA’s highest honor, Man of theYear. Reach him at [email protected].

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Q: Why are cast titaniumvalves commonly offered ingrades different than mywrought pipe?

A: As previously discussed in Q & Acolumns, this is not an uncommon prac-tice; certain alloy groups have castgrades that differ in availability fromthe wrought grades, a situation that isespecially true for titanium. For castchemical process valves, three titaniumgrades are commonly used: C-3, C-8and C-12. The cast titanium grades usethe prefix C to designate a casting,while the wrought specifications typical-ly use just numbers. For wrought titani-um, if you look at ASTM B381 for forgings, 38 grades are listed. Are thatmany really needed or actually used?Probably not. For cast titanium, 12grades are listed in ASTM B367, but

only the previously mentioned threegrades are commonly supplied as valves.Most of the other cast grades are usedfor light weight and strength in aero-space or medical applications.

Cast grade C-3 is commerciallypure titanium, and like 316 for thestainless steels, C-3 is the most used ofthe cast titanium grades. Frequently,customers will ask for grade C-2 castvalves because they are familiar withgrade 2 for their wrought componentssuch as piping, tubing, plate, etc. Theonly difference between grade C-2 andC-3 is strength—C-3 is about 35%higher in yield strength than C-2 (Table1), which helps with the pressure-temperature rating of the valve. No difference exists between the twogrades in corrosion resistance. It’slikely that the wrought producers pre-fer grades 2 and 7 because the lowerstrength and better ductility wouldmake these grades more formable;whereas, formability is not a manufac-turing concern with castings.

Cast grade C-8 is the palladium sta-bilized grade of titanium. It is simply


S u m m e r 2 0 1 2 | 47

THE SOLUTIONFailure of the example standard actua-tor is a certainty in this case. Whilethere is nothing in the above examplethat is not obvious to every designer anduser, the solution to avoid failure is toapply what we know.

MetalsFor example, metals that have a brittletransition temperature that falls withinthe range of possible application tem-peratures should not be used unlessabsolutely no impact loads can occur.Examples of suitable metals are 300series stainless steel and aluminum—neither has brittle transition tempera-ture. Because of its greater strength,stainless steel may be the best choice forlarger actuators.

Figures 3 and 4 show a simplisticrepresentative impact test performed ona notched steel bar. One end was lockedin a vice, and a hammer blow served toprovide an impact. At room tempera-ture, the hammer blow bent the speci-men, but there was no fracture.

Figures 5 and 6 show an identicalspecimen that was brought to a temper-

Figure 3. Test specimen No. 1 at roomtemperature

Figure 4. Test specimen No. 1 after hammerblow

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Figure 1. Chloride Brine

M A T E R I A L S Q & A BY THOMAS SPENCE

14

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

pH

Temperature °F (°C)

Immune toCreviceCorrosion

HydrogenPickup

Grade 3Crevice CorrosionGrade 8 Immune

Grade 8Crevice Corrosion

100 200 300 400 500 600

(38) (93) (149) (204) (260) (316)

F a l l 2 0 1 2 | 53

grade C-3 titanium with an addition of0.12% minimum palladium added toenhance general corrosion resistanceand improve resistance to crevice corrosion in acid-chloride environments.This small amount of palladium createsa more stable oxide layer on the sur-face, thus making this titanium grademore corrosion resistant. Grade 7 is thecommonly used wrought palladium stabilized grade but C-8 is typically themost offered cast grade. Like withgrades 2 and C-3, grade C-8 is about30% higher in yield strength than C-7,and there is no difference in corrosionresistance between C-7 and C-8. Figure1 shows brine service and the significantbenefit of adding palladium to titaniumfor increasing its resistance to crevice corrosion.

GRADE C-12Grade C-12 was added to the ASTMspecifications a few years ago, theoret-ically to provide a less expensive alter-native to the palladium grades. C-12contains a small addition of molybde-num and nickel, which makes it morecorrosion resistant than pure titaniumbut not quite as corrosion resistant asthe palladium grades. While the additions of molybdenum and nickel donot affect the ability to producewrought products in this grade, theseadditions do adversely affect the casta-bility of grade C-12. In addition, allwelds on this grade must be stressrelieved to avoid brittle intermetalliccompounds that form during the weld-ing process. Wrought grade 12 may beless expensive than the palladiumgrades but cast C-12 is not likely tohave a similar cost advantage becauseit is more difficult to cast than gradeC-8. Some titanium foundries willactually price C-12 the same as thepalladium grades since the palladiumgrades are easier to cast and don’trequire a post-weld heat treatment.

To summarize, there are differencesin the availability between cast andwrought grades, and it is not always

necessary to match the valve alloy to thepiping alloy. However, if you feel thattitanium grades C-2 or C-7 are actuallyneeded, valve manufacturers should be

able to supply those grades. VM

THOMAS SPENCE is director of material engi-neering for Flowserve Corp. (www.flowserve.com),Dayton, OH. Reach him at [email protected].

S u m m e r 2 0 1 2 | 47

THE SOLUTIONFailure of the example standard actua-tor is a certainty in this case. Whilethere is nothing in the above examplethat is not obvious to every designer anduser, the solution to avoid failure is toapply what we know.

MetalsFor example, metals that have a brittletransition temperature that falls withinthe range of possible application tem-peratures should not be used unlessabsolutely no impact loads can occur.Examples of suitable metals are 300series stainless steel and aluminum—neither has brittle transition tempera-ture. Because of its greater strength,stainless steel may be the best choice forlarger actuators.

Figures 3 and 4 show a simplisticrepresentative impact test performed ona notched steel bar. One end was lockedin a vice, and a hammer blow served toprovide an impact. At room tempera-ture, the hammer blow bent the speci-men, but there was no fracture.

Figures 5 and 6 show an identicalspecimen that was brought to a temper-

Figure 3. Test specimen No. 1 at roomtemperature

Figure 4. Test specimen No. 1 after hammerblow

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Table 1. Comparison of GradesGrade Tensile Strength, Yield Strength Elongation

min, ksi (MPa) 0.2 % Offset, in 1-in. Gagemin, ksi (MPa) Length, min,%

C-2 50 (345) 40 (275) 15

C-3 65 (450) 55 (380) 12

C-5 130 (895) 120 (825) 6

C-6 115 (795) 105 (725) 8

C-12 70 (483) 50 (345) 8

C-7 50 (345) 40 (275) 15

C-8 65 (450) 55 (380) 12

C-16 50 (345) 40 (275) 15

C-17 35 (240) 25 (170) 20

C-18 90 (620) 70 (483) 15

C-38 130 (895) 115 (794) 10

ing power plant tem-perature and pres-sure requirements.

The first decadeof the 20th centurysaw the introduc-tion of cast steelas a valve materi-al. Improvementsin steel-makingprocessesbrought steel

casting capabilities to theplant floor of the major valve manufac-turers. Although steel valves were avail-able during the early part of the centu-ry, iron and bronze still were the mostpopular valve materials.

THE TRIMThe materials for valve trim or “trim-mings” as it was called a century ago

were limited as well. Valve stems, seatsand discs were made of bronze, brass oriron. The first improvement in trimmaterials was the introduction of copper-nickel alloys, essentially Monel.This “Monel metal,” as it was called,was very useful because it was harderthan anything yet available and alsohighly corrosion resistant.

The next valve-trim material to gainpopularity was Martensitic, 400 seriesstainless steel. These alloys were highlydurable because of their ability to beheat-treated into an extremely hardcondition. The 400 series stainlesssteels, by virtue of the 11-13% chromecontent, also were corrosion resistant,and they would be the trim material ofchoice for 30-40 years until supplantedby cobalt-based “Stellite” materialsafter World War II.

As the temperatures and pressuresincreased in the power industry in the1920s and 1930s, a need arose forhigher performance cast steel. The car-bon-moly steel alloy was a stopgap that


THE HISTORY OFVALVES

As the Valve Manufacturers Association gears up to celebrate its 75th anniversaryin 2013, we present this series of articles on the history of valves, with the finalinstallment scheduled to appear in mid-2013. The celebration of this milestoneevent will culminate at the association’s 75th annual meeting, Oct. 3-5, 2013 atThe Breakers in Palm Beach, FL.

{A HistoryMade inMetalBY GREG JOHNSON

T oday’s valve material choices arelike a Chinese buffet: Everything

imaginable is on the menu. The multi-tude of choices has grown in responseto the demands of customers and theirexpanding process requirements.

The first Roman valves were madefrom a bronze alloy very similar totoday’s ASTM B62bronze chem-istry. Thesevalves were usedin plumbing sys-tems in housesand public build-ings. The bronzevalves and otherengineering discov-eries of the Romanperiod would disap-pear under the thickcloak of the darkages, and it wasn’tuntil the steam erathat valve materialsbecame a topic ofinterest again.

The 19th centurywas the era of bronzeand iron valves and piping. Lookingthrough that century’s valve catalogsshows that valve material choices werejust those two: bronze or iron. As thecentury neared an end, advances inirons were made including higher-strength cast irons, called ferro-steels,which were developed to meet the ris-

Makingpatterns foriron valves

A bronze valve forlocomotives is shown on the front page ofAmerican Machinistin 1885.

F a l l 2 0 1 2 | 55

raised the continuous operating tem-perature of steel valves to 850° F (454° C). Although the carbon-molysteel was useful at higher temperatures,it suffered from creep problems. Thepre-WWII period also saw the intro-duction of the first austenitic stainless-steel alloys (304ss and 316ss), whichwere vastly superior to the 400 series incorrosion resistance.

Additional alloy steels made theirdebut as valve materials during thedecade following WWII. Thechrome/moly steels helped to raise theoperating temperatures of cast steelvalves above the 1000° F (538° C)range; 1-1/4 Cr. (WC6), 2-1/4 Cr.(WC9), 5 Cr. (C5) and 9 Cr. (C12) wereall developed during this period. Thefirst ASTM standard to address thesematerials was ASTM A157, Alloy SteelCastings for Valves, Flanges and Fit-tings for High Temperature Service,which was issued in 1950. This stan-dard would later be superseded byASTM A217. All these alloys also areproduced as forgings, with most listedin the ASTM A182 material standard.

During the 1950-1960 time period,new processes in the chemical industrywere outstripping the ability of stain-

less steels to cope with corrosion issues.As a result, higher grades of stainlesssteels were developed and tried. Alloy20, stabilized stainless steels (347 &321) and low-carbon grades (316L and304L) became popular. However, theability of these metals to perform satis-factorily would soon be surpassed bythe needs of industry yet again. New“super alloys” were developed to meetthose needs, including the Hastelloys,Inconels and duplex stainless steels.These materials were very strong athigh temperatures and also had impres-sive corrosion resistance.

Twenty-first century valve manufac-turers are still using the popular metalsof the past 150 years, but newer mate-rials are always under development.The latest alloy steel to attain greatpopularity is the “super 9 chrome”C12A cast steel and F91 forged steel,which allow for valve working tempera-tures of 1200° F (649° C), while pro-viding better creep resistance than C12material.

PACKING IT INValves that have shafts or stems thatmove in and out of the pressure enve-lope require a packing to keep the pres-

sure contained inside the valve. Thesepackings must be flexible, reasonablyresilient and able to withstand the high-est temperature the valve will see inservice. Early packing materials wererope derivatives such as jute and flax.But as operating temperatures rose,these materials proved inadequate. Theanswer was found in a unique mineralcalled Chrysotile, which gave usasbestos.

The long fibers of asbestos combinedwith its temperature resistance made itan outstanding packing and gasketmaterial. Asbestos packing wasinstalled in virtually all commoditysteel valves from the 1920s through the1980s. The material was superior forforming and filling the packing or stuff-ing box area, and it provided an excel-lent seal. Unfortunately, some of thesame characteristics that madeasbestos good packing, such as its fibershape and size, also made it an unwel-come resident in the human lung. Sincevirtually every valve manufacturer usedasbestos packings or gaskets, all ofthem have been drawn into lawsuitsinvolving asbestos litigation andmesothelioma.

The replacement of asbestos packingand gaskets took some time, as imme-diate replacement materials did notwork well. Finally, the industry perfect-ed carbon/graphite-based products thathave now been the norm for nearly 25years when high-temperature packingand gasket materials are required.

For low-temperature applications,Teflon is an excellent corrosion-resist-ant sealing material. Teflon packingand gaskets are standard in today’snickel alloy and stainless-steel valves.Teflon is also used for other valve com-ponents such as ball valve seats. Thehistory of Teflon and ball valve seats isitself an intriguing tale but that tale isfor another article. VM

GREG JOHNSON is president of United Valve(www.unitedvalve.com), Houston, and is a con-tributing editor to Valve Magazine. He serves aschairman of VMA’s Education & Training Commit-tee, is a member of the VMA CommunicationsCommittee and is president of the ManufacturersStandardization Society. Reach him [email protected].

As the Valve Manufacturers Association gears up to celebrate its 75th anniversaryin 2013, we present this series of articles on the history of valves, with the finalinstallment scheduled to appear in mid-2013. The celebration of this milestoneevent will culminate at the association’s 75th annual meeting, Oct. 3-5, 2013 atThe Breakers in Palm Beach, FL.

Pouring bronzein a valvefoundry

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GARLOCKSEALING TECH-NOLOGIES hasexpanded its lineof low-load gas-kets for sealingmetallic and non-metallic pipingsystems with theaddition of its

3504 Gylon Stress Saver gasket forindustrial applications such as chem-ical processing, semiconductor pro-duction, and pulp and paper. Alsobeing added is the 3505 GylonStress Saver for potable water appli-cations.

The new gaskets are designed toseal lightweight metallic, plastic andfiberglass flanges that cannot pro-vide the proper loads required tocompress conventional fiber orPTFE gaskets. The molded, raised,concentric ribs allow for a more con-centrated gasket load, creating atighter seal with less torque on bothflat and raised face flanges.

METSO has created the new Rapid-Draw3D Valve Model Generator, afree automated valve assemblymodel generator that allows users toquickly create realistic, to-scale, 3Dvalve assemblies and export them toany CAD program for use in plantpiping diagrams.

RapidDraw3D automatically dis-

plays the linkage available for thatcombination, allowing the user tothen specify the orientation of theactuator and pick accessories suchas positioners, solenoids, etc.

The final step is selecting theappropriate file output based on theuser’s CAD program. A realistic 3Drendering can then be downloadedfrom the Internet for importing intothe chosen CAD program.

PENTAIR VALVES & CONTROLShas a new pilot-operated pressure-relief valve, the Anderson Green-wood 5200. It is designed to with-stand the high temperatures andpressures that are prevalent in heatrecovery steam generators incombined cycle powerplants, while meeting ASMErequirements.

The valve isdesigned to meetincreasing tempera-tures and pres-sures and giveplant ownersthe security ofpremium seattightness closeto set point.The 5200 offers ametal main valveseat, as opposed to the resilient seatcommonly used in pilot-operatedpressure-relief valves. The metal seatallows the valves to withstand highertemperatures—up to 1000° F (538°C). In addition, the 5200 is a modu-lating pilot-operated valve, ratherthan a spring-loaded or snap-actingpilot valve.

FLOWSERVE now offers the Limi-torque MXa electric actuator withup to a SIL 3 safety rating. Afterpassing rigorous failure mode effectsdesign analysis and total time inservice tests, the SIL 3 capable rat-ing was obtained from Exida Certifi-

cation Services.The SIL 3 capable rated MXa is

designed to provide reliable actua-tion in critical environments withoutcompromising customers’ SafetyInstrumented Systems. The actuatorcarries the safety rating in a one outof two configuration, requiring twoactuators and valves to be installedinto a SIL 3 rated environment.

The MXa features LimiGard tech-nology that automatically monitorsthe health of the each coded signal

and ensures no componentfailure can cause the actua-tor to move unexpectedly.

HENRY PRATT CO. manu-factures a plunger valve, theSeries 300, which isdesigned to reduce cavitationand stagnant water creation

to help water systems improveoperational safety, efficiency and

flow control. This valve features afield-replaceable control insert thatenables water systems to effectivelyreduce flow pressure while reducingcavitation levels. It contains a valveactuator mechanism that providesnon-linear closure with precise surgeresistance and effective controlranges as high as 96%.

INDEX TO ADVERTISERS31 American Foundry

www.americanfoundry.com15 ASCO

www.ascovalve.com/LowPower13 ASCO

www.asconumatics.com/RightNow51 A-T Controls

www.a-tcontrols.comC3 AUMA

www.auma.com23 Badger Meter

www.badgermeter.com/valvefam27.aspx29 Caplugs

www.caplugs.com/pipeandflange33, 57 Check All Valve

www.checkall.comC4 Crane Energy Flow Control

www.cranechempharma.com7 Curtiss-Wright Flow Control Company

www.cwfc.com28 Eii Valve

www.eiivalve.com5 Farris Engineering

www.farris.cwfc.comC2 Flexitallic

www.flexitallic.com25 Flowserve

www.flowserve.com9 GE Energy Services

www.ge-energy.com/GTC57 Hart Industrial Unions, LLC

www.hartindustries.com34 Highland Foundry

www.highlandfoundry.com53 Key Bellevilles

www.keybellevilles.com35 KimRay

www.kimray.com/top6538 Manufacturers Standardization Society

www.ms.hq.org32 Miller-Stephenson Chemical

www.miller-stephenson.com24 PDC Valve

www.pdcvalve.com11 Pentair

www.pentair.com42, 49 The Wm. Powell Company

www.powellvalves.com 47 Power Gen

www.power-gen.com19 Roto Hammer

www.rotohammerinc.com1 Rotork Controls, Inc.

www.rotork.com39 Samson Controls, Inc.

www.samson-usa.com52 Scientific Linings and Coatings

www.weathercap.com26 Solon Manufacturing Company

www.solonmfg.com22 U.S. Alloys

www.usalloys.cc27 United Valve

www.unitedvalve.com45 Valve World

www.valveworldexpo.com2 Velan

www.velan.com

HARTIndustrialUnions,LLC isproud tointroduceour NEW“Product &Capability Guide”

This guide was developed to assist youwith product selection, system designand simplify specifying a precision pipeunion to meet your individual applicationneeds.

We have highlighted many new productsincluding: high temp/high pressureunions, dielectric unions, orifice unions,and specialty transition unions.

If you would like extra hard copies ofthis guide, or have any questions, pleasefeel free to contact us at 1-800-769-0503or e-mail us at [email protected].

You can also download this guide fromour website by visiting us at

www.hartindustries.com

SURE SEAL O-RING UNIONS

For a More Perfect Union.

HART INDUSTRIAL UNIONS, LLCPO BOX 310429

NEWINGTON, CT 06131USA

PHONE: 1-800-769-0503FAX: [email protected]

Unemployed?We want to help!

Visit VMA’s Career Center…If you arenot employed and would like your resuméviewed by members of the VMA andVRC—more than 1,000 valve manufactur-ers and valve repair & service personnel—you may post it at no cost in the VMACareer Center.

Just go to www.VMA.organd select Register. Select theoption for Non-Member PostingResumé. Once you have createdyour profile, log in and select ManageProfile. Select Resumé/CV to create yourresumé.

And be sure to check out current joblistings while you’re on the site!

EMPLOYERS: For informationand cost to post an open position,go to www.VMA.org, selectCareer Center in the navigation bar on theleft, then select Post an Opening.

For assistance, contact Dianne Ekbladat [email protected].

FireChek®

ThermalActivatedEmergencyShutoff

When FireChek® senses excessive heatfrom a nearby fire, it immediately vents thepneumatic actuator and closes the actuatorair supply line. FireChek® triggers quickly,securing pneumatically operated processline valves.

FireChek® Features:• Rapidly responds to temperature rise,NOT flames

• Vents actuator air pressure• Closes actuator air supply line• Needs no power source, self-activates• Compatible with ALL pneumatic actuators• No contact with process fluids• Easy to test and reset• Reliable, intrinsic triggering• Easily retrofit, installs in minutes• Manual resets for routine testing• FireChek® is made in the USA• FM Approved

http://assuredautomation.com/firechek 800 899-0553

CHECK-ALL VALVEINTRODUCES THE BUTT

WELD (B4) CHECK VALVE

Machined from bar stock, this one piece bodied valve is designed for use with ASME/ANSI B16.25 forschedule 40 pipe (other schedules ona per quote basis). The design elimi-nates porosity concerns and providesa uniform density for more consistentwelds. Standard materials of construc-tion are 316SS and carbon steel. Theyare also available in more exotic mate-rials such as Alloy C-276, Monel, Alloy20, Titanium and more. With theirrugged, dependable Check-All trim,this valve will stand up to the mostrigorous conditions. This is the perfectvalve for applications that require jointwelding. We are ISO 9001 certified andwe offer compliance with NACEMR0175/ISO 15156, NACE MR0103,ASME B16.34, API-594 and 598, CE,CRN, and others. Check out our manyother designs at www.checkall.com.


Allagash International Portland,MEwww.allagashinternational.com

• Allagash Valves & Controlswww.allagashvalve.com

• Forbes Marshallwww.allagashinternational.com

• Nor’ East Controlswww.noreastcontrols.com

American Valve, Inc.Greensboro, NCwww.americanvalve.com

ASCO Valve, Inc. - EmersonIndustrial AutomationFlorham Park, NJwww.ascovalve.com

A-T ControlsCincinnati, OHwww.at-tcontrols.com

AUMA Actuators, Inc.Canonsburg, PAwww.auma-usa.com

Automation Technology, Inc.Houstonwww.atiactuators.com

Babbitt Steam SpecialtyCompanyNew Bedford, MAwww.babbittsteam.com

Harold Beck & Sons, Inc.Newtown, PAwww.haroldbeck.com

Bernard Controls, Inc.Houstonwww.bernardcontrols.com

CameronHoustonwww.c-a-m.com

• Flow Control Houston

• Valves & Measurement Houston

Check-All Valve Mfg. Co.Des Moines, IAwww.checkall.com

Conval, Inc.Somers, CTwww.conval.com

Cornerstone ValveHoustonwww.cornerstonevalve.com

Crane Co.Stamford, CTwww.craneco.com/business/crane_valves.cfm

• Crane Energy Flow Solutions The Woodlands, TX www.craneenergy.com

• Crane ChemPharma Flow Solutions Cincinnati www.xomox.comwww.resistoflex.comwww.saundersvalve.com

Curtiss-Wright Flow ControlCorporationFalls Church, VAwww.cwfc.com

• DeltaValve South Jordan, UT

• Enertech Brea, CA

• Farris Engineering Brecksville, OH

• Peerless Instrument Co. East Farmingdale, NY

• Tapco/Enpro Houston

• Target Rock East Farmingdale, NY

DeZURIKSartell, MNwww.dezurik.com

• APCO WillametteSchaumburg, ILwww.apcovalves.com

• Hilton ValveRedmond, MNwww.hiltonvalve.com

DFT Inc.Exton, PAwww.dft-valves.com

Eii Valve CompanyHouston, TXwww.eiivalve.com

Elliott ManufacturingBinghamton, NYwww.elliottsafeoperator.com

Emerson Process ManagementMarshalltown, IA

• EIM Company, Inc.Missouri City, TXwww.eim-co.com

• Fisher ControlsMarshalltown, IA www.fisher.com

• TopWorxLouisville, KYwww.topworx.com

• Valve Automation Division St. Louis www.emersonprocess.com/valveautomation

Flowserve Corp.Irving, TXwww.flowserve.com• Flowserve, Cookeville

Cookeville, TN • Flowserve, Springville

Springville, UT • Flowserve, Raleigh

Raleigh, NC www.edwardvogt.com

• Flowserve, Lynchburg Lynchburg, VA www.limitorque.com

• Flowserve, Sulphur SpringsSulphur Springs, TXwww.nordstromaudco.com

FluoroSeal Inc.Montreal, Quebec, Canadawww.fluorosealvalves.com

Forum Energy Technologies -Valve SolutionsStafford, TXwww.f-e-t.com

Franklin Valve LPHoustonwww.franklinvalve.com

GE Oil & Gas Houstonwww.ge.com• Consolidated Safety andSafety Relief ValvesAlexandria, LA

• Masoneilan Control ValvesAvon, MA

• Regulation and ControlHouston

Groth CorporationHoustonwww.grothcorp.com

Hemiwedge Valve, Division ofChromatic Industries, Inc.Conroe, TXwww.hemiwedge.com

Indelac Controls, Inc.Florence, KYwww.indelac.com

ITT Engineered ValvesLancaster, PAwww.engvalves.com

Kinetrol USA, Inc.Plano, TXwww.kinetrolusa.com

Kingston ValvesTorrance, CAwww.kingstonvalves.com

Kitz Corporation of AmericaStafford, TXwww.kitz.com

KOSO America, Inc.West Bridgewater, MAwww.kosoamerica.com

Lined Valve Company, Inc.Woodland, WAwww.knifegatevalves.com

Mastergear, Division of Regal-Beloit CorporationClinton, WIwww.mastergearworldwide.com

Metso Automation USA Inc.Shrewsbury, MAwww.metso.com

Moog Flo-Tork, Inc.Orrville, OHwww.flo-tork.com

Mueller Water ProductsAtlanta, GAwww.muellerwaterproducts.com

• Anvil InternationalPortsmouth, NHwww.anvilintl.com

• Henry Pratt CompanyAurora, ILwww.henrypratt.com

• Hydro Gate., Henry Pratt Co.Denver, COwww.hydrogate.com

• Milliken Valve CompanyBethlehem, PAwww.millikenvalve.com

• Mueller Co.Chattanooga, TNwww.muellercompany.com

NIBCOElkhart, INwww.nibco.com

PBM, Inc.Irwin, PAwww.pbmvalve.com

Pentair Valves & ControlsHoustonus.valves.pentair.com/valves

Portland ValveSouth Portland, MEwww.portlandvalve.com

The Wm. Powell CompanyCincinnatiwww.powellvalves.com

Process Development &Control, Inc.Coraopolis, PAwww.pdcvalve.com

QTRCO, Inc.Tomball, TXwww.qtrco.com

Richards Industries-ValveGroup, Inc.Cincinnatiwww.jordanvalve.com

Roto Hammer Industries, Inc.Tulsa, OKwww.rotohammerinc.com

Rotork Controls, Inc.Rochester, NYwww.rotork.com

• Flow-Quip, Inc.Tulsa, OKwww.flowquip.com

• K-TORK Actuators + ControlsDallaswww.ktork.com

• Rotork Controls Canada Ltd. Calgary, Alberta, Canada

• Rotork Controls Canada Ltd. Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

• Rotork Gears Rochester, NY

VMA MEMBERROSTERGo to www.vma.org for a complete list of VMA members

F a l l 2 0 1 2 | 59

• Rotork Controls ProvidenceN. Kingstown, RIwww.rciactuators.com

• Rotork Process ControlsMilwaukee, WI www.jordancontrols.com

R.S.V.P. Actuators & Controls Hempstead, TXwww.rsvpactuators.com

Rupture Pin TechnologyOklahoma City, OKwww.rupturepin.com

Samson Controls, Inc.Baytown, TXwww.samsoncontrols.com

SMG Valves, a Unit of SouthernMfg. Group, Inc.Morrison, TNwww.smg-global.com

Spirax Sarco, Inc.Blythewood, SCwww.spiraxsarco-usa.com

• Spirax Sarco Canada Ltd.Concord, Ontario, Canada

Townley Engineering &Manufacturing Company, Inc.Candler, FLwww.townley.net

UniTorq Actuators & ControlsDuluth, GAwww.unitorque.com

ValvTechnologies, Inc.Houstonwww.valv.com

VictaulicEaston, PAwww.victaulic.com

Velan Valve CorporationMontreal, Quebec, Canadawww.velan.com

Weir Valves & Controls-USAIpswich, MAwww.weirvalveusa.com

WEY ValveNettleton, MSwww.weyvalve.com

Associate Members

A.W. ChestertonGroveland, MAwww.chesterton.com

All-Pro Fasteners, Inc.Arlington, TXwww.all-profasteners.com

American Foundry GroupBixby, OKwww.americanfoundry.com

Auge Industrial FastenersHoustonwww.augeusa.com

BelleFlex Technologies, LLCFreeport, PAwww.belleflex.com

Delta Centrifugal Corp.Temple, TXwww.deltacentrifugal.com

Enthone Inc.West Haven, CTwww.enthone.com

Fenner Advanced SealingTechnologiesHumble, TX

• EGC Critical Component www.egccomponents.com

• CDI Energy Productswww.cdiproducts.com

The Flexitallic Group, Inc.Houstonwww.flexitallic.com

Garlock Sealing TechnologiesPalmyra, NYwww.garlock.com

Grede Holdings LLC Southfield, MIwww.grede.com

Harrison Steel CastingsAttica, INwww.hscast.com

Highland Foundry LimitedSurrey, British Columbia, Canadawww.highlandfoundry.com

Key Bellevilles, Inc.Leechburg, PAwww.keybellevilles.com

Lone Star FastenersSpring, TXwww.lonestarfasteners.com

Matrix Metals LLCRichmond, TXwww.matrixmetalsllc.com

Quadrant EPPReading, PAwww.quadrantplastics.com

Scientific Linings & CoatingsSan Antoniowww.weathercap.com

Solon Manufacturing Co.Chardon, OHwww.solonmfg.com

VanAire, Inc.Gladstone, MIwww.vanaireinc.com

Watson Grinding & Mfg.Houstonwww.watsongrinding.com

Allied ValveChicagowww.alliedvalveinc.com

AVP Valve, Inc.Lakeland, FLwww.avpvalve.com

Bay Valve Service, Inc.Seattlewww.bay-valve.com

CameronHoustonwww.c-a-m.com

CCI Houston (Repair Center)Houstonwww.ccivalve.com

CFM/VR-TESCO LLCElgin, ILwww.globalfield.net

Chalmers & Kubeck NorthWestfield, MA www.candknorth.com

Cleveland Valve & Gauge/ RenewValve & Machine Co.Cleveland/Carleton, MIwww.clevelandvalve.comwww.renewvalve.com

CWFC Farris EngineeringBrecksville, OH www.cwfc.com

Dayton Precision ServicesDayton, OHwww.daytonprecisionservices.com

DMC Carter ChambersBaton Rouge, LA www.dmc-cc.com

Dowco Valve CompanyHastings, MN www.dowcovalve.com

GE Oil & GasHoustonwww.ge.com

• Consolidated andMasoneilan Aftermarket andField ServiceDeer Park, TX

• Consolidated Safety andSafety Relief ValvesAlexandria, LA

•Masoneilan Control ValvesAvon, MA

ECI/ICE Valve and InstrumentServicesMonessen, PA www.service-solution.com

Emerson Process Management -FisherMarshalltown, IAwww.fisher.com

Flotech, Inc.Jacksonville, FLwww.flotechinc.com

Flowserve Corporation Houston www.flowserve.com

Formosa Plastics USAPoint Comfort, TXwww.fpcusa.com

FurmaniteLaPorte, TXwww.furmanite.com

Gulf Coast Modification, LPHoustonwww.gulfcoastmod.com

Gulf Coast Valve, Inc. Corpus Christi, TX www.gulfcoastvalve.net

J&S Machine and Valve, Inc.Nowata, OKwww.jsmachineandvalve.com

Kirksey Machine Houston www.kirkseymachine.com

Metso AutomationShrewsbury, MA www.metso.com

Midwest Valve Services, Inc. Minooka, IL www.mwvalve.com

Pentair Valves and ControlsStafford, TX us.valves.pentair.com/valves

The Wm. Powell Company Cincinnati www.powellvalves.com

Precision Pump & Valve Service Charleston, WV www.ppvs.com

Southeast Valve Inc.Charlotte, NC www.sevalve.com

Southern Valve Service, Inc.Baton Rouge, LAwww.southernvalve.com

Thorco, Inc. Tulsa, OK www.thorcoinc.com

United Valve South Houston www.unitedvalve.com

Universe Machine CorporationEdmonton, AB Canadawww.umcorp.com

Valve Reconditioning Service Co. Melvindale, MIwww.vrsinc.net

Wal-Tech Inc. Mobile, AL www.wal-tech.com

V R C A S S O C I A T E M EMB E R

Quality ValveMobile, ALwww.qualityvalves.com

For more information, contact Marc Pasternak at 202.331.0104 ([email protected]).

MEMBERS OF THE VALVE REPAIR COUNCIL An affiliate of the Valve Manufacturers Association of America

For information on joining the Valve Manufacturers Association, contact Bill Sandler at 202.331.8105 or [email protected].

C O N V E R S A T I O N W I T H …

VMA’s new chairman for 2012-13, MarkCordell, first attended VMA’s annual meeting

in the year the association was celebrating its 50thanniversary. It is perhaps fitting, then, that Cordell,who is president of Distributed Valves for CameronValves & Measurement, is taking over the reinsduring another momentous occasion: the 75thanniversary of VMA’s founding.

“It’s amazing to think that 74 years ago a groupof people got together to begin the process of figur-ing out what our industry needs. Those needs havechanged tremendously over the years, but the association hasremained a vital factor,” Cordell says.

One thing that hasn’t changed is the association’s value as asource of networking, which Cordell says is one of VMA’sgreatest strengths.

“I think when you’re coming up through the ranks, you’revery focused on your competition and in your mind, they arethe foes. But what I saw from the beginning is that we are allhuman beings trying to accomplish the same things, and weare much stronger as a group than individuals,” he says.

FROM SALES TO LEADERSHIPCordell is an example of the many people in the valve industrywho start with a strong background in sales, then work intoother areas while working on their own professional skills andeventually running a major division or company.

Cordell, who graduated from Oklahoma State University in1974 with a business degree, went to work out of college forDover Corporation. He was hired for the Norris ButterflyValves division in sales, then moved up the ranks until he wasin charge of the whole division’s sales efforts. In 1991, hemoved to Bettis Corporation, where he started as the U.S.sales manager and where he stayed many years, eventuallybecoming a senior vice president. In 1998, while at Bettis,Cordell got his Harvard Advanced Management Programdegree. In 2004, Cordell went to work for Cameron Valves &Measurement group starting in sales, but eventually enteringthe operations arena for Cameron and now serving as presi-dent of the Distributed Valves Division for Cameron Valves &Measurement.

Now Cordell will use his extensive experience with theindustry as well as his many years of association experience tohelp VMA meet the changes that have occurred since his firstmeeting.

THE INDUSTRY EVOLVESCordell says the two most momentous changes that haveoccurred are the geographic spread of business and the

increased demands from end users for products thatcan do more.

As far as going global, “I think as Americans,we tend to have this idea that everyone should con-duct business the way we do, but that is simply nottrue. We have a lot to learn from what happens inChina, in France, in Nigeria, in Romania, to namejust a few. Each place has a different way of look-ing at specifications, needs, the ability to marketproducts and to deliver those products,” he says.

One way VMA can help is to continue to buildstrong links with other international valve associations such asthe British Valve & Actuator Association.

“It’s important for us to attend their meetings and for themto attend ours so we can swap notes about what they are see-ing and what we see here,” he says.

As far as end-user changes, Cordell says that “the techno-logical innovations we’ve seen as a result of end-user indus-tries giving us more and more challenges are staggering; how-ever, our industry has kept pace. VMA keeps us informed andgives us an opportunity to exchange ideas on what we know.”

ASSOCIATION GOALSBesides addressing globalization issues and reporting on tech-nological innovations, Cordell says VMA has a couple of addi-tional major challenges ahead.

The first is to find a way to deepen the membership.“BVAA recently opened its membership to distributors, and

I’ve proposed that we do the same here in the U.S. The distri-bution network has become a key part of this industry, andthey are truly on the front line with our products—they seewhat the end users around the world are demanding as eacharea has different needs, different situations, even differentpurchasing methods,” Cordell says.

The second is to find a way to address another of the bigchanges he’s seen since the 50th: the graying of the industry.

“We need to appeal to the youth of our business because ifwe don’t, no one will be there to take over as we retire,” hesays. For this reason, VMA’s educational efforts, including theValve Basics courses, have become a key part of what theassociation offers.

“A lot of VMA board members now recognize how vital it isfor us to find ways to bring new blood into the group. That caninclude new reaches such as suppliers and distributors, but italso must include the young people who are the future of thisassociation,” he says. VM

GENILEE PARENTE is managing editor of Valve Magazine. Reach her at [email protected].

Mark CordellKEEPING PACE OVER THE YEARS


We have a lotto learn fromwhat happensin China, inFrance, inNigeria, inRomania, toname just a

few.

A Step Beyond

breathtaking technology today with AUMA

for electric valve

the right combination

AUMA Actuators, Inc.100 Southpointe Blvd.Canonsburg, PA 15317 USAPhone: (724) 743-AUMA (2862)Fax: (724) 743-4711E-Mail: [email protected] visit us at our website: www.auma-usa.com

Actuators may be non-intrusive with position and torque sensed by encoders or conventional with limit and torque switches. AC controls provide extensive control and reporting features for interface with the Distributed Control System (DCS).

Actuators with AM controls are conventional units with integral motor controls and interface to the DCS. AM controls are adequate for a large percentage of applications.

NORM actuators are furnished when motor controls are installed at a remote location like a motor control center.

Valve Actuators with AC Valve Actuators with AM AUMA NORM Valve Actuators

100 Southpointe Blvd.AUMA Actuators, Inc.

Please visit us at our website: E-Mail: [email protected]: (724) 743-4711Phone: (724) 743-AUMA (286Canonsburg, PA 15317 USA

www.auma-usa.comom

62)


XOMOX® XLBLined Ball Valves

Innovative Stem Sealing System

XOMOX® XLB offers an innovative stem sealing system, providing safety and long term fugitive emission control under extreme conditions.

Dynamic body joint design retains pressure boundary during thermal cycles.

Lower torque, smaller actuators, reduced costs, space saving. More info -> www.cranechempharma.com.

NEW!

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Templates_Ltr.indd 2 9/20/2012 4:57:13 PM

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