Facilities must run smoothly and efficiently, requiring your processes to remain reliable daily. No matter what industry or sector you operate within, you are also undoubtedly called upon to maximize output, mitigate downtime, reduce repair costs, and improve the safety of your facility.

Proper control valve function helps you achieve all of these objectives.

The first step in optimizing valve operation is obtaining robust diagnostic data. However, receiving data is only as effective as your ability to apply that knowledge. The best control valve diagnostic systems will also allow you to use the information gained through reporting. Application inline and in real-time will help ensure that you get maximum performance – and results – on an ongoing basis.

The Importance of Control Valve Optimization

The benefits of optimizing control valve performance are myriad and significant.

Optimal process performance guarantees maximum output – a critical metric in any scenario. For maximized process performance, every component in the process loop must function within the precise tolerances required.

Beyond the performance factor, however, it also considers the importance of reliability. Optimizing valves ensures that they function as they are supposed to, thereby reducing the risk of potential problems that could take your processes offline. Minimizing downtime also helps mitigate the possible cost of component repairs or replacement.

Safety is the most pressing reason for optimizing valve performance. Maximizing output and reducing downtime and the need for repairs will also improve the safety of your facility and your team members.

Approaches for Optimizing Control Valve Operation

Many of the most effective ways of optimizing valve function are purely mechanical and somewhat intuitive. For example, proper valve design and sizing are critical. But selecting the correct valve and valve controls for the job is only one small part of the overall scenario. Other factors, ranging from a dirty air supply to unwanted (and unexpected) vibration, can also infringe on valves’ ability to perform as desired. Unfortunately, you can only do so much to counteract dirty air or minimize (or eliminate) the vibration caused by other equipment components within the radius of a given valve and controller.

The primary hurdle in this scenario is knowing when and where problems may arise and to what extent those issues may contribute to compromised valve performance.

Comprehensive control valve diagnostics are a critical first step in optimization. Diagnostics provide the necessary predictive intelligence you need to derive actionable input. Even a slight decrease in performance needs to be addressed, as this ensures that you can address any potential issues before they become significant problems.

The Power of a Comprehensive Control Valve Diagnostic Solution

Performing diagnostic checks in a fully operational process scenario can help you quickly and effectively identify performance issues and determine the corrective steps to resolve them.

In an ideal scenario, automated control valve diagnostics tools will allow you to adjust settings and make minor corrections in real time without interrupting process flow. You can then monitor performance further to determine whether those actions have produced the desired results.

An effective diagnostics tool will also give you the power to see into the future – in a manner of speaking – allowing you to schedule and budget for any required downtime for maintenance purposes. The bottom line is that you no longer need to be in a reactive position with the correct valve test system. Instead, you will have everything you need to be proactive in every scenario or situation.

Finding the Best Control Valve Diagnostics System for You

A valve test system will provide critical information when real-time valve testing becomes vital. Otherwise, you put yourself at the mercy of third-party testing companies and their schedule – not to mention pricing.

Suppose you are considering the purchase of a block valve diagnostic system, isolation valve diagnostic equipment, or safety relief valve diagnostic system. In that case, you might have considered another system. However, the Profiler and Profiler Mini systems from SofTek Engineering provide a highly effective solution with multiple advantages over similar options.

Profiler systems are highly valued and regarded for their robust features and functionalities. Our equipment provides maximum durability and power, no matter the conditions you intend to operate within. Our systems are not only highly portable, but they are also simple to set up and use.

As the leading provider of valve diagnostic test systems, SofTek’s team of experts provides exceptional customer service and support. We focus exclusively on valve testing systems, and our dedication to results is apparent in everything we do. For almost 25 years, we have exceeded our client’s expectations by providing the most comprehensive training and support in our industry. Our valve diagnostics software features an intuitive and straightforward interface yet produces various information and results. Profiler systems let you test, report and optimize your valve systems whenever and wherever you need these capabilities.

Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you in achieving the highest level of control valve optimization at your facility.