Abstract: A closure member is configured for use in a valve. These configurations may include a plug with grooves or “flutes” that extend along its length. Inserts in the flutes may comprise materials, like ceramics, that are different than the material that forms the core or base portion of the plug. These inserts are useful to slow erosion of the device, particularly in the flutes, which form an outwardly-facing surface that is subject to high velocity flow in the valve. This feature can extend service life of the plug, particularly in highly-erosive process fluids, like particle-entrained fluids commonly found in hydrocracking or refining operations.

Abstract: A control system is configured to monitor operation of a flow control, like a control valve. These configurations can use of continuous or real-time data to evaluate fitness or function of the device under operating conditions. This feature can alert operators to problems or issues with one or more devices, or process lines in total. These problems may, for example, indicate that a valve is incorrectly sized for actual working conditions. As a result, engineers may find that the valve is too big (or oversize) or too small (or undersize) because the design process for layout of the process line relies upon a design load that reflects a future maximum (plus some factor of safety), and not the actual working conditions that might prevail once the device is in service in the field.

Abstract: A valve housing is configured to maintain temperature of a valve. These configurations may incorporate paths or channels in structure of the valve that carry working fluid. Heating fluid, like steam or hot water, may flow through these paths to heat this structure. This feature can maintain or raise temperature of the working fluid to meet specifications, standards, or process parameters. In one implementation, the paths may have complex routes or geometry with curves, bends, or other feature that can maximize surface area that is available to distribute heat to the device. This geometry may require manufacturing techniques, like additive manufacturing, that can generate unitary or monolithic structures, particularly those structures that includes voids in the material to form the integral paths for the heating fluid.

Abstract: A coating that is configured for use on parts of a control valve. The configurations may incorporate various material layers, preferably that form a layered structure on a base or substrate (for example, an Inconel body). In one implementation, the layered structure can be arranged as “stacked” individual layers that exhibit different concentrations or ratios of materials, including by example tungsten carbide and nickel alloy. The concentration of tungsten carbide may increase from an innermost layer to an outer most layer. This feature can extend service life of the parts, particularly when in use with highly-erosive process fluids, like particle-entrained fluids commonly found in hydrocracking or refining operations. Manufacture of the layered structure on the parts may require use of additive manufacturing technology in order to deposit layers of material of varying composition and thickness on the unique fluted design contemplated herein.

Abstract: A coating that is configured for use on parts of a control valve. The configurations may incorporate various material layers, preferably that form a layered structure on a base or substrate (for example, an Inconel body). In one implementation, the layered structure can be arranged as “stacked” individual layers that exhibit different concentrations or ratios of materials, including by example tungsten carbide and nickel alloy. The concentration of tungsten carbide may increase from an innermost layer to an outer most layer. This feature can extend service life of the parts, particularly when in use with highly-erosive process fluids, like particle-entrained fluids commonly found in hydrocracking or refining operations. Manufacture of the layered structure on the parts may require use of additive manufacturing technology in order to deposit layers of material of varying composition and thickness on the unique fluted design contemplated herein.