Valve Magazine - Summer 2009

FEATURES

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SUSPICIOUS AND COUNTERFEIT VALVES: AN AVOIDABLE DANGER Counterfeiting is more prevalent today than ever. We bring readers up to date on the situation and offer tips about what can be done, including starting with quality suppliers. BY PETER CLEAVELAND

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INCREASING PLANT PERFORMANCE THROUGH INSTRUMENTATION How do we know when it’s best to increase a plants’ performance by using the technologies already there and when to find newer technologies? We start by asking what those technologies are currently doing that provide value. BY HARRY BURNS

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UNDERSTANDING
PLASTICS

High-performing thermoplastics have made inroads into the valve market because of their high strength, light weight and corrosion resistance. BY PATRICK NEEL

Valve MAGAZINE

Summer 2009 VOLUME 21, NO. 3

COLUMNS

Perspectives 4

Industry Outlook Continues Downward BY BILL SANDLER

Material Q&A 40 Qualifying Welding Procedures BY DON BUSH

Maintenance & Repair 42
Protecting our Valves
BY GREG JOHNSON

Education & Training 44 A “Valve Ed” Preview: PRVs BY WILLIAM TRAVIS

Conversation with… 52
BVAA’s Rob Bartlett
BY PETER CLEAVELAND

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CONTROLLING CAVITATION Cavitation, a common problem in most industrial processes, can be expensive and hazardous. Understanding its causes and what controls are available for what conditions help to eliminate the problems. BY JEFF PARISH

DEPARTMENTS

Industry Capsules 6
VMA Calendar 9
Index to Advertisers 49

VMA and VRC Member Roster 50

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SPOTLIGHT ON
SUPPLIERS

Take a look at some of the many interesting products that are used in conjunction with valves and actuators. We also list VMA’s associate members and the kinds of products they produce.

ON VALVEMAGAZINE.COM: WEB-ONLY CONTENT ; A New Kind of Control-Valve Actuator ; An Upside to the Downturn? ; More Tips on Avoiding Bogus Valves ; Filling the Valve Education Void New articles posted and news items updated regularly—visit ValveMagazine.com often!