FEATURES
13
2009 MARKET OUTLOOK:
RIDING OUT THE STORM
VMA brought together a dozen-plus economists and industry
experts to talk about the economy, both global and domestic,
and the major end-user industries that use valves, actuators
and controls. We present highlights from these varied
forecasts and conclude that we’re in for some challenging
times. But those who adapt and take advantage of new
opportunities will survive.
BY GENILEE PARENTE AND JUDY TIBBS
38
BACK TO BASICS:
THE ‘A’ TO ‘Z’ OF
VALVE MATERIALS
Valve materials run the gamut from aluminum to zirconium,
with new alloys and compounds filling in the letters of the
alphabet all the time. Although some of these more obscure
materials are on the valve designer’s plate, it will be hard to
ever eliminate the three most popular “flavors”—steel,
bronze and iron.
BY GREG JOHNSON
46
HOW TO AVOID
PRV PERFORMANCE
PROBLEMS
Improper design, installation and maintenance of safety
valves within pressure relief systems can lead to system
malfunctions and hazardous conditions that put equipment,
facilities and personnel at risk.
BY DAVID MELCHER AND WILLIAM TRAVIS
ValvFall 2008
VOLUME 20e, NO. 4
MAGAZINE
COLUMNS
Perspectives 4
Valve Makers See Another Good Year
BY BILL SANDLER
Beyond Valves 57
Understanding Differential Pressure
Flow Transmitters
BY DAVID W. SPITZER
Materials Q&A 60
Indices that Measure Water Scaling
BY THOMAS SPENCE
Maintenance & Repair 62
Three Golden Rules for Severe Service
Valves
BY DANILO GARCIO AND GARY OSTROWSKI
The Last Page 68
Changes
BY JUDY TIBBS
DEPARTMENTS
Industry Capsules 6
VMA Calendar 7
Index to Advertisers 68
52
REACHING OUT TO
TOMORROW’S WORKFORCE
How will we prepare the next generation of workers to
staff and manage the plants and facilities that use and
make valves? It won't be easy but some innovative
programs are underway.
BY PATRICK TOENSMEIER
NEW PRODUCTS 62
ON VALVEMAGAZINE.COM:
WEB-ONLY CONTENT
• Investing in Water Infrastructure
• The Rise in Valve Thefts
• Lean & Green Summit
• Long-Term Energy Outlook
• Two-Year Technical Training
New articles posted every couple of weeks and
news items updated daily—be sure to visit
ValveMagazine.com regularly!
FOCUS:
Chemical
Processing
Power-Gen
Product
