Got Valve Alignment Issues? Now You Can Automate Manual Valves Easily

Oct. 10, 2012
The 4320, a WirelessHART valve automation solution, changes the economics of automating discrete valves and is an alternative to solenoids and limit switches.

Most process plants have thousands of discrete valves that are manually operated. According to a survey of Emerson Process Management customers, 90 percent have had valve alignment issues in the past 12 months, meaning what the position they thought the valve was in, was incorrect. This resulted in spills, lost batches and safety incidents.

These customers are automating such discrete valves each year; however, the wiring costs of traditional automation prevent many from being converted from manual to automated control. Emerson Process Management has expanded its Smart Wireless solutions family with the release of the Fisher 4320 Wireless Position Monitor with On/Off Control Output Option, reportedly the first and only WirelessHART valve automation solution that includes linkage-less position feedback and discrete valve control.

For simplicity, traditional quarter-turn valves and pneumatic actuators are used—which means only air is needed to automate a valve. The Fisher 4320 provides users “with a cost-effective way to achieve wireless valve control with position feedback for quarter-turn valves,” according to Peter Zornio, chief technology officer.

The 4320 “changes the economics of automating discrete valves as an alternative to solenoids and limit switches,” said Zornio. “By eliminating the need for wires, the project cost and project time are reduced by minimizing engineering time, materials, control system I/O, and installation labor.”

Companies in this Article

Sponsored Recommendations

1 Pole B-Trip DLS8 Series: Manual Motor Controller

Tailored to meet various requirements, this series offers B Trip Characteristics for two distinct rated current ranges - 1A to 10A and 13A to 60A. This ensures reliable and customized...

Versatile 2-Pole Solution for Precise Automation

Altech Corp proudly presents the 2 Pole B-Trip DLS8 Series - UL508 Manual Motor Controller, a robust and reliable solution for precise motor control in your automation and control...

Advanced 4 Pole B-Trip Manual Motor Controller by Altech Corp

Discover superior motor control with the DLS8 Series - UL508 Manual Motor Controller, now available in a 4 Pole B-Trip configuration. As your trusted source for automation and...

Reliable and Efficient 1 Pole B-Trip Supplementary Protector by Altech Corp

Introducing the cutting-edge DLS7 Series - UL1077 Supplementary Protector with B Trip Characteristics, engineered for precise protection in diverse industrial applications. Altech...