If you’re in oil and gas, hydrocarbon processing, or similar industries, you know how frequently reciprocating globe valves need to be replaced. This is because the sliding stem travels through the packing, causing the packing to wear out. The result … Continue reading
U.S. oil production has ramped up to a level not seen in decades. Last November, production hit 10 million barrels a day for the first time since 1948, and according to some estimates it could reach 12 million barrels a … Continue reading
Riverdale, IA – May 18, 2018 — Barry Shoulders, President and CEO of Allied Valve, Inc., today announced a merger with St. Louis, MO-based Automation Service, an internationally recognized provider of remanufactured Fisher® control valves and actuators as well as … Continue reading
Continued product training and education are essential to Allied Valve so we can support our customers and their ever-growing technical needs. Recently our entire team received training on the Consolidated 2900 and 3900 product lines from BHGE Senior Pilot Valve … Continue reading
In a recent interview about pipeline safety, senior health and safety advisor Dale Gross recommended installing remote-actuated valves because they can be controlled from a central location, rather than requiring a technician to drive out and adjust them. This allows … Continue reading
In a recent interview about pipeline safety, senior health and safety advisor Dale Gross recommended installing valves at closer intervals to allow you to isolate smaller sections of the pipeline. Pipeline valve spacing is covered under Title 49 of the … Continue reading
Roughly 200,000 miles of liquid petroleum pipelines crisscross the United States, delivering oil to refineries and other plants that produce the fuel that powers our lives. Safety is a primary focus of the oil and gas industry, and the industry … Continue reading
From aging plants and an aging workforce to the push for sustainability, the power generation industry today faces many challenges. As we look to the future, these challenges will only grow, and the power companies that act now to address … Continue reading
The average power plant in the United States is more than 40 years old. As facilities age, proper maintenance and repair become even more important to ensure valves and other equipment achieve optimal performance.
This isn’t just a good idea. It’s essential for profitability. Just in the past few years, there have been several stories of poorly maintained valves at nuclear power plants leading to unplanned shutdowns. By one estimate, a 4-day unplanned shutdown can cost a power plant an average of $2.6 million.
Regular maintenance is one of the key ways to extend the life of your valves. It also saves you from costly unplanned downtime.
Power plants aren’t the only thing that’s aging. The workforce is too. According to 2017 BLS data, about one-quarter of power industry employees are 55 or older, which means they will likely retire in the next 10 years. At the same time, the traditional energy sector is having difficulty attracting top young talent.
That’s why many power generation companies are investing in automation technologies, such as digital valve positioners.
A digital positioner automatically monitors the valve and adjusts the signal to the actuator as necessary to ensure the valve achieves the correct position. It also collects data from the valve and sends it back to a centralized database, where the data can be analyzed for any signs of trouble. This reduces costs by allowing a single operator to monitor the performance of all of the valves in a facility, and also by identifying potential problems early so they can be fixed before they cause a shutdown.
A quick look at the day’s business headlines reveals the ever-shifting landscape of regulatory compliance. Even in the current climate of deregulation, things are changing all of the time. In addition, organizations like the ASME and ASTM frequently issue new standards.
It’s unrealistic for your plant or operations managers to keep up on all of these changes without some help. This is an area where partners like your valve supplier can show their worth by helping you navigate new regulatory developments and standards to ensure you’re in compliance.
Finally, although having trusted suppliers is important, your employees still need to be able to operate your equipment and provide the first line of defense when things go wrong. That requires training.
At Allied Valve, we consider ourselves to be in the service business. That’s why we provide training — in the form of workshops, Lunch and Learn programs, and more — to ensure that your on-site operators are both confident and competent working with the equipment we sell.
Do you need help tackling the challenges facing your power business? Contact us to learn more about what we can do for you.
-->In the power industry, profitability depends on efficiency. There are, of course, plenty of ways to boost your top line, but without efficiency, your bottom line will always suffer. Here are 5 ways to make your power plant more efficient. … Continue reading
How much money do you lose to bad-acting valves every year? Probably much more than you think. Valve leakage is estimated to cost power plants $1.2 billion annually. Valve failures can cause safety problems and lead to unplanned downtime. Cutting … Continue reading
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