More for Less with Emerson Valve Automation

Increased demands and reduced resources seem to be the norm in the life sciences industry while many firms are being asked to do more with less. Along the way, companies actively consider factors such as process variability, among others. Design and maintenance engineers as well as plant operations are all affected. Consequently, they continue to reach out for solutions from competent vendors that provide reliable, best-practice solutions coupled with strong service capabilities, at a reasonable cost. As part of a broad base of solutions from Emerson Process Management, the Valve Automation Group provides high quality actuation and controls to pharmaceutical on-off valve applications.

Often referred to as automated block valves, on-off valves act as a final control element as their all important impact on processes and plant operations can be significant. If a critical on-off valve has a problem . . . plant operations can be stopped. On-off valves can be a major source of process variability in pharmaceutical processes and require active maintenance. Additionally, they can increase start-up cycle time and require a variety of spare parts to be available and on-hand.

The Valve Automation Group provides solutions to these issues with its FieldQ integrated actuator/controls package, designed to make an engineering staff’s life easier. The simplified design reduces design engineering hours in selecting and comparing different kinds of actuators, solenoid valves, and switch boxes. The integrated solutions make start-up simple with a few push-buttons as opposed to traditional test-and-see commissioning. The maintenance engineer team at the plant will have less spare parts to deal with, thus saving dollars in engineering hours, training and inventory carrying costs.

FieldQ solutions represent both brain and muscle for on-off valve applications. They provide the torques to open/close the valve and diagnostics for preventive and predictive maintenance preventing unscheduled and costly outages. FieldQ also expands the reach of PlantWeb® leveraging your DeltaV investment from instruments to control valves to now on-off valves. With FieldQ’s diagnostic capabilities, highly critical, expensive valves are safeguarded. Wireless is on the way to further reduce the cost of monitoring on-off valve tags for stranded information on valve position, cycles, and status.
FieldQ's state-of-the-art "fully integrated" concept with smart technology reduces total costs over the product life-cycle by:

• Eliminating administration costs of using multiple vendors
• Reducing stock-keeping units on the shelf
• Reducing maintenance and plant down-time by using "Plug and Play" modules
• Lowering labor costs involved in maintenance and repair by the elimination of common failure points
• Avoiding major costs associated with plant down-time, when using its predictive diagnostic capabilities

With its extensive distributor network; knowledgeable sales and support teams; configuration and service centers and broad product portfolio – containing many of the world’s best known actuator brands – Emerson Process Management is ideally placed as the supplier of choice for valve automation needs.

Frank Feng, Director of Key Accounts for Process Industries resides in St. Louis, MO. He attended Washington University based in St. Louis and holds an MBA in Finance. For more information you can contact Frank by clicking here.