Speaker Interviews: Pumps, Valves and Actuators 2017

Could you briefly explain your role and involvement with fluid machinery operations and/or technologies?

I am the In-Service Testing Programme Owner at Sizewell B Nuclear Power Station, I am responsible for running and improving the programme. The In-Service Testing Programme at Sizewell follows the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Operation and Maintenance of Nuclear Reactors Code. This requires Testing and Inspection of all safety related Pumps, Valves and Dynamic Restraints. In all this totals 1001 components, these are tested in a variety of ways from simple stroke testing to diagnostic analysis.     

What is the number one challenge facing those using pumps, valves and actuators in today’s current market?

For me one of the biggest challenges is achieving equipment reliability under cost pressured. This requires the right maintenance to be completed at the time, to the right quality. This requires performance monitoring to reduce maintenance cost but not at the expense of equipment reliability. 

What is the most exciting development in this field at the moment, either within your company or in the industry in general? 

I am seeing example of the use of online monitoring of equipment being developed and implemented. Being able to monitor a component performance online has significant benefit as an asset owner.   

Where do you see the future of the use of these technologies going over the next 5 – 10 years? 

I imagine as the cost of these solutions reduces their installation will allow more and more components to be closely monitored, meaning preventative maintenance can be correctly timed.     

What are you most looking forward to in presenting at the Pumps, Valves and Actuators Conference? 

I am always kind to see how other industries met challenges and implemented solutions, I am hoping the conference will give plenty of examples of this.

Could you briefly explain your role and involvement with fluid machinery operations and/or technologies?

Hardide provides hard coating for the critical parts of heavy-duty valves and pumps, the coating protects the parts against abrasion, erosion and corrosion and typically triples life of parts.

What is the number one challenge facing those using pumps, valves and actuators in today’s current market?

In the heavy-duty sector where the pumps, valves and actuators operate in extremely erosive/corrosive/abrasive environment the traditional materials no longer provide viable solutions. New materials, including advanced coatings can help reduce the down-time, maintenance costs and make the UK-manufactured pumps, valves and actuators more competitive internationally.

What is the most exciting development in this field at the moment, either within your company or in the industry in general?

With the oil prices stable and gradually increasing the oil and gas industry drilling is returning creating new demand for heavy-duty flow control equipment.

Where do you see the future of the use of these technologies going over the next 5 – 10 years? 

New generation of materials combined with the digital and telecommunication technologies will bring a new generation of smart, durable and adaptable flow control equipment.

What are you most looking forward to in presenting at the Pumps, Valves and Actuators Conference?

Looking forward to learn about the challenges in various vlave and pump user sectors, where the new materials and technologies can provide solutions.

Could you briefly explain your role and involvement with fluid machinery operations and/or technologies?

I have worked as an end-user of pumping systems in the water industry, from design, specification, procurement, installation, commissioning through to operation and refurbishment.  I continue to do so now as an independent consultant.

What is the number one challenge facing those using pumps, valves and actuators in today’s current market?

Lack of skill and experience in understanding fluid machinery systems, and the affect of valves and pipes on the system, coupled with increasing energy prices and reduction in the amount of energy generation in the UK.

What is the most exciting development in this field at the moment, either within your company or in the industry in general? 

Automation of data collection and control to keep pumping systems working as efficiently as possible and to report early when intervention is required

Where do you see the future of the use of these technologies going over the next 5 – 10 years? 

Increased use of automated pump monitoring and control in the public sector – water, wastewater, drainage bring real benefits in terms of management of energy consumption.

What are you most looking forward to by chairing the Pumps, Valves and Actuators Conference? 

Getting first had insight into what is happening in other industries that can lead to improvements in the way fluid systems are managed in the water industry.