Riyaz Ali

Advantages of Digitized On-Off Valves

Nov 14, 2023

Digital transformation of field instrumentation can spark one’s imagination with new concepts, including the possibility of data harvesting from automated on-off valves. Automated on-off valves are typically used in a basic process control system (BPCS) or safety instrumented system (SIS). In these and other automation systems, they must function properly to optimize performance, availability, and reliability. The data provided by smart on-off valves can be used to increase uptime, reduce maintenance costs, and improve safety.

Improving Performance with Digital On-Off Valves

Oct 25, 2023

I’ve often written about how digital valve controllers improve control valve performance and ongoing maintenance. But how about on-off valves? In this Valve World Americas featured story, How Digitized On-Off Valves Improve Operations, Emerson’s Riyaz Ali explains how...

Optimizing Valve Compressed Air Consumption

Mar 3, 2023

For air-operated control valves, the pneumatic power at a constant supply pressure is proportional to the mass flow rate of instrument air. The pneumatic/eletro-pneumatic/microprocessor-based digital valve controller is used on most control valves operated in closed-loop control, where the input signal is continuously changing.

Avoiding Actuator Damage from Failed Components

Oct 6, 2022

Riyaz Ali discussed with a major international oil company ways to eliminate supply line relief valves or needs for higher pressure-rated actuators should the air filter regulator (AFR) fail.

Clarifying Rebuilds to Extend Valve Lifespans

Aug 15, 2022

I received a question from an earlier post, End of Life Expectancy for Final Control Elements in Safety and Control Systems, by Emerson’s Riyaz Ali. The instrument & control engineer who came upon the blog post wrote…

Control Valves in Safety Instrumented Functions

Jun 6, 2022

When is it possible to use control valves like final elements for SIS [safety instrumented system] application? I am looking for other useful documents and technical requirements when it is possible to use only control valves as the final element instead of on/off valves and not in combination with it in the SIF [safety instrumented function] application.

Digital Valve Controller Travel Control with Pressure Fallback

Oct 26, 2021

The DVC6200 HW2 digital valve controller provides a unique feature to detect position feedback issues and automatically revert from travel control to pressure control (I/P transducer mode) to keep the valve operational. This can help avoid costly unplanned spurious trips that can affect plant operation.

When is a SIL Suitability Rating Required for Final Control Elements?

Oct 19, 2021

Riyaz Ali provides clarity on when to assign the SIL suitability for valves used in different scenarios (process control vs. safety shutdown) and establish criteria to assign SIL applicability for the “Final Element”.

More on Digital Valve Controller Travel to Pressure Fallback Mode

Aug 10, 2021

In a post, Valve Travel Control-Pressure Fallback, Emerson’s Riyaz Ali shared the process of how a control valve with a digital valve controller could fall back to standard pressure control upon an issue with the travel sensing mechanism.

Valve Travel Control-Pressure Fallback

Aug 6, 2021

A Digital Valve Controller, the DVC6200 (HART or Foundation Fieldbus) can detect position feedback problems and automatically revert to I/P [current to pressure] transducer mode to keep the valve operational. This avoids costly unplanned spurious trips, which are critical for plant operational performance.

Extending Final Element Proof Testing Intervals

Apr 21, 2021

I received a question from a very old post here on the blog, Credit for Partial Stroke Tests in Verification Process. The person was trying to get a better understanding about this chart showing how partial stroke tests (PSTs) can extend the intervals between full stroke tests for final elements in a safety instrumented function (SIF).

End of Life Expectancy for Final Control Elements in Safety and Control Systems

Nov 20, 2020

To summarize, mechanical equipment such as shutdown valves, control valves, actuators, and accessories such as positioners are designed keeping in mind a plant’s life of around 25 years. Though you may not find any written or stated document from any supplier or manufacturers since mechanical deterioration depends on many parameters like internal process-related conditions or external environmental conditions, operating media (air, hydraulic fluid, etc.), proper care exercised during application selection & sizing, and more.

Riyaz Ali

Senior Director, Valve Instruments

Posts by or with Riyaz Ali

Advantages of Digitized On-Off Valves

Improving Performance with Digital On-Off Valves

Optimizing Valve Compressed Air Consumption

Avoiding Actuator Damage from Failed Components

Clarifying Rebuilds to Extend Valve Lifespans

Control Valves in Safety Instrumented Functions

Digital Valve Controller Travel Control with Pressure Fallback

When is a SIL Suitability Rating Required for Final Control Elements?

More on Digital Valve Controller Travel to Pressure Fallback Mode

Valve Travel Control-Pressure Fallback

Extending Final Element Proof Testing Intervals

End of Life Expectancy for Final Control Elements in Safety and Control Systems

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