HIGH PERFORMANCE VALVES AND IIOT

High Performance Valves Role in IIoT and Remote Monitoring

If general purpose valves are the foot soldiers of IIoT then high performance valves belong in the armoured division.  Their performance is much more critical to the outcome of the battle to improve plant performance. IIoT promises to revolutionize industry but only if it is accompanied by IIoW (Industrial Internet of Wisdom). Decisive classification of high performance valve applications, valve designs, and materials is critical to IIoT success. High performance valves are defined and the program is explained at High Performance Valve Classification Program

Background articles and presentations are found in the Mcilvaine Global Decision Orchard under High Performance Valve.  If you prefer to view by company, application or process click on Full Display

Specific Initiatives

Four Severe Service Valve Decisive Classification Analyses are presently being assembled.  We invite contributions for any of them.  Please send your comments to Bob Mcilvaine at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Choke Valves in Oil and Gas

The choke valve market ranges between $250 million and $400 million per year depending on the definition and where we are in the oil and gas cycle. A significant portion of choke valve sales are to oil and gas companies. The definition also has a major effect on the revenue determination. The terms choke, control and axial are used in different ways.  With some definitions, the market is much larger than with others.  Here are some ways the term is defined:

• Flow path: Angle most important - if it is axial it is control, if it is angle it is choke.
• Trim:  If one type of trim is used it is most suitable for choke, if another it is for control.
• Location:  If it is extraction it is choke, if it is other applications it is control.
• Valve type:  For some valve suppliers “choke” is just one of a number of applications and not a type of valve.

With remote monitoring and IIoT evaluation of choke valve performance it is important that the relevant decisive classification of applications, valve types, and materials be clarified.  This is an ongoing project.  To view the questions and present status click on : Choke Valve Decision Guide

Power Industry Steam Valves

There are similarities and differences in the steam cycle valve requirements for nuclear, ultra-supercritical coal, supercritical coal, and gas turbine combined cycle plants.  What sizes are required?  What valve types are recommended for each application What is the appropriate support (trunnion, floating or a unique design)?  What materials are best for base load and rapid cycling applications? Power Industry Steam Valves 

Oil and Gas Gate Valves for greater than 5000 psi service

Subsea and shale applications are where one finds most of the gate valves with requirements for greater than 5000 psi service.  What are the specific applications, gate valve designs, and materials which are best for each specific application? This analysis is in the early stages.  We have identified some suppliers and their products and are asking them for comments.  We welcome input from all sources. Oil and Gas Gate Valves Greater than 5000 psi Decision Guide

Rising Stem Ball Valves

Rising stem ball valves are used in the oil and gas industry as well as in petrochemical plants. This analysis initially only has details on valves used for molecular sieve switching.  At this time there is only a partial analysis of suppliers.  We need your input relative to additional applications, additional suppliers, and input on valve sizes and cost.  Rising Stem Ball Valves

Molecular Sieve Switching Valves

Many valves have been used on this service but few are performing as might be wished. Three valve designs are usually found in molecular sieve unit switching valve service: (1) metal-seated ball valves; (2) metal-seated, triple off-set butterfly valves; and (3) metal-seated, non-contacting, rising stem ball valves. Some rotary valve options such as the triple offset butterfly valves are relatively inexpensive to purchase and may perform adequately in the near term. Operators, however, have generally found them to be deficient in sealing capability, expected service life and total cost of ownership. Process disruption, high MRO expense and the inability to deliver a minimum of five years of continuous service between planned shutdowns have all been persistent negatives.

Historicallythe rising stem ball valve (RSBV) has been used in this application. But the selection is complicated and depends to some extent on the severe conditions existing. Zero-leakage carbide coated metal seated ball valves can be a preferred option in particularly severe service.

With remote monitoring and IIOT evaluation of valve performance it is important that the relevant decisive classification of applications, valve types, and materials be clarified.  This is an ongoing project.  To view the questions and present status click on: http://www.mcilvainecompany.com/Decision_Tree/subscriber/Severe_Service_Valve_04_14_16.pdf