The new app allows users to visualise an entire connected fleet of valves, while prioritising actions based on the health index of each valve. This is said to help plant personnel optimise valve repair activities, resulting in faster and better maintenance decisions, leading to reduced downtime.
Most process plants and facilities have hundreds of control valves installed and operating in various applications. These valves have multiple parts that must frequently move in concert to regulate the flows of process media, with some of these parts coming into constant, direct contact with the media. These operating conditions create wear and tear, requiring maintenance personnel to track the condition of each valve. This is typically done by examining each valve individually, either locally or remotely, a time-consuming endeavour that requires expertise to ascertain valve health and follow-up action.
The new application is expected to simplify this control valve monitoring task by providing a user-friendly interface. The app includes Emerson’s Valve Health Index, produced by a proprietary algorithm, which shows plant personnel the level of health for each valve. The index allows users to enter information regarding their plant's processes, including the financial impact if the valve were to fail.
The app allows users to prioritise repair and maintenance activities with five different indicators — repair urgency status, Valve Health Index, financial impact, criticality, and NE107 alert status — to meet specific needs. The app includes explanations, recommendations, and suggested time to take action.
Jaime Alvarado Millan, software product manager for flow controls with Emerson’s final control business, said: “Plants and facilities harnessing all the functionalities of the Plantweb Insight Valve Health Application will experience reduced analysis time, faster troubleshooting, and improved prioritization of maintenance actions. The result will be fewer man-hours required for repairs and maintenance, increased uptime, and fewer unplanned shutdowns. These and other benefits will increase productivity, lower costs, and improve profitability.”