Programmable Control Valve Actuators Product Research (January 2007)
By Control Engineering Staff -- Control Engineering, 2/5/2007
Research was undertaken to gain a better understanding of Control Engineering subscribers’ applications and needs regarding Control Valve Actuators.
Executive Summary
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Among those specifying, recommending, and/or buying Control Valve Actuators, 79% do so for in-plant requirements and 34% buy for OEM needs.
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The combination of continuous and batch manufacturing is the most prominent application of Control Valve Actuators at respondents’ locations. “Continuous manufacturing only” is applied at 22% of locations.
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Respondents mention liquids as the media most handled by control valves. Air/gases were reported by about one-third of respondents as the media most used.
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Electric and pneumatic type actuators are used about equally at respondent locations. Also, the predominant choice is to have the actuator integrated with the valve (one assembly).
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Among a variety of control valve types, pneumatic type actuators were used most. Manual and electric type actuators were used about equally.
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Reliability, repeatability, and low maintenance were the most important features when specifying, recommending and/or buying control valve actuators. •
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Repairability and availability from stock were the most important features when selecting a manufacturer of control valve actuators.
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For those using a network for their valve actuator applications, Ethernet TCP/IP (native) and HART are used most. However, most usage is fragmented among numerous network applications.
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Emerson Process Management is the manufacturer selling the most control valve actuators to respondents over the last 12 months. Purchases from the remaining manufacturers are split among numerous companies, with a dozen in double-digit percentages.
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246 was the average number of control valve actuators each survey participant purchased during the past 12 months. Average spending per respondent on control valve actuators in the past year was $235,213. A small number of large purchasers increased the average spending. Median numbers were much lower.
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29% of respondents report their purchases of control valve actuators will grow in the next 12 months with almost two-thirds stating their purchases will remain the same. Only 10% expect a decline.
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Respondents state about 41% of their future purchases of control valve actuators will include an actuator with a good portion of those being located in hazardous environments.
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Most repair and service of control valve actuators is done infrequently (more than once per two years). In addition, most repair and service is done at respondents own maintenance shop.
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