“Now is the time to optimise your control
systems potential” advise steam experts
P
rocess managers could be making
improvements to increase
efficiency and product quality
by paying closer attention to the
specification of controls systems used
within their facilities – that’s the current
message from Spirax Sarco’s National
Controls Specialist, Darren Silverthorn. Over the coming months, Spirax Sarco
will be identifying the key tell-tale signs
of inefficient control systems along
with significant gains process managers
can make to optimise their potential.
Ultimately aiming to mitigate the risk of
downtime and product spoilage, while
also aiding process productivity.
The latest quarterly Confederation of
British Industry (CBI) Industrial Trends
Survey suggests that output volumes
will be broadly flat in the coming three
months (-2%)1. While it is estimated that
average unit costs will grow (+31%) in
that same period2. Darren Silverthorn, National Controls
and Metering Specialist explains: “A
lot of the time, early warning signs
related to potential equipment failure
can go unnoticed. Control systems
ultimately enable safety, stability and
accuracy throughout a process. If they
are not maintained appropriately, or are
not specified correctly prior to initial
installation, then any of these things can
be jeopardised.”
As such, Spirax Sarco advocates
reviewing control systems as this is one
area that could have a positive impact
on future budgets. By upskilling staff in
controls systems alongside identifying
improvements in controls systems
technology, manufacturers could reduce
costs and improve efficiencies in the
absence of increased sales.
Darren continues: “Reducing downtime
and improving productivity must begin
with a more robust specification. When
it comes to control systems and control
valves in particular, quality issues can
arise due to poor specification, either
poorly specified or more commonly due
to a lack of information being provided
during the specification stage.”
Darren concludes: “We know our
customers’ roles are becoming more
demanding by the day and that operating
a steam system is not always forefront
of mind. We are therefore on a journey to
help educate those responsible for steam
systems on control system strategies
that can be put in place, or simply offer
additional expertise and resource where it
may be limited in-house.”
Spirax Sarco’s campaign will cover the
full spectrum of improvements that can
be implemented within a steam system
to help make the lives of plant managers,
process engineers, production managers
and the like that little bit easier.
For more information on optimising
your control system’s potential, visit:
www.spiraxsarco.com/global/uk/
Products/Pages/control-valves.aspx
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