Top five tips on buying valves

[More Images]



“Getting new companies approved by the utilities companies is a very difficult and lengthy process and they are not doing themselves any favours, because they are excluding a number of good quality manufacturers,” he said.

“They do add new vendors to their vendor lists but it’s a long hard process and they specifically, most of the specifications from the utilities companies, they state valves should come from Western Europe, North America or Japan. As soon as you mention the word China to the utility companies, they almost throw you out of the office.”

Brodie adds that companies from places such as China are sometimes not given approval, despite the fact that some European firms, which are approved, have factories based there.

Watson believes it is a case of choosing a manufacturer to work with carefully.

“The design on our product gives it basically a 20 year life and the whole process of a painting system, give you more protection,” he says. “Basically the valves should last indefinitely. It’s built and made for long life and really can’t be compared with some inferior products that come from China. There tends to be two types, one that is up to specification and one that is totally on a price.”

4. Select the right valve for the right job

After establishing the quality of a product range, it is important to ensure that the right type of valve is being used for the job.

“For the equipment that we use, the specification of the valve is already in there, such as the ratio, what the flow is, if it is electric operated, or if it is a manual operation,” says Eugenio. “We don’t prefer any brand as long as it fits the equipment that we manufacture. But we are always looking for the best quality valves.

“In the equipment that we assemble here we use the valves to control the flow, to divert the flow and to stop the flow. That is our use of the valves.”

Manufacturers of valves are also keen to talk to clients about producing a product that can meet all their needs. “Basically our valve was designed and developed at the close discussions with all of our major customers in the UK,” says Thomas. “We went to them and asked them what do you like about valves, what do you like to see on them and this is how [our product] was designed about eight or nine years ago.”

Advertisement

FEATURED COMMENT Please click here to comment on this article

5. Weigh it all up

A valve is something which should go unnoticed, unfortunately when it is noticed it is not doing its job. The valve sector in the Middle East is offering a number of high quality products, what could really help this sector now is the standardisation of specifications from each utility provider.

However, as Brodie explains, this seems unlikely. The main issue that will dictate the future of the valve market is how strict the utility companies will remain on giving firms approval to distribute their particular products.

If a more open minded approach is taken, then more competition can enter the market. Henry Ford once said: “Competition is the keen cutting edge of business, always shaving away at costs.” If you are in the market for a valve, shaved costs is what you want to hear. 

Environmental valves

Valves, although not the most glamorous of components, can be environmentally friendly. This is according to Dresser Masoneilan, a firm which has just released the Camflex II valve, intended to help reduce emissions.

The Camflex II features an emission-free seal, among other characteristics that give it the ability to seal completely tight. Global product manager for rotary products, John De Veau explains: “Emissions compliance is a critical issue for many companies that use control valves in their facilities. Fortunately, environmental responsibility does not have to be complex or expensive. It can be as simple as employing high quality products that are engineered to comply with regulations.”

The valve combines a double O-ring sealed packing follower with low friction tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) based packing materials. This is said to provide long term service as well as compliance with low emission standards.

The valve can withstand temperatures up to 400 degrees Celsius due to an integrated extension bonnet. The small range rotary motion of the valve shaft also provides benefits such as prevention of contaminants entering the packing system and protection of the stem from atmospheric exposure.

---