Within engineering and process plant technology, there is a speciality known as fluid flow control. From power generation through refineries and petrochemical plants to mass production of pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs and beverages there are a huge number of plants that process fluids (gaseous and liquid) as a crucial part of their daily activities.
During these processes, the flow of fluid around the system needs to be controlled, monitored and, often, modified. This is the function of fluid flow control.
Pumps are used to move the fluids from one place to another. Usually, the fluid is “transported” through pipes. Various devices will be inserted into breaks in the pipeline for control purposes. These could be measuring devices such as flow meters (think of the water meter the supply company places in the water main where it enters your property). However, perhaps the widest used control devices are members of the valve family (down to and including the stop cock that is also in your domestic water supply).
Who Makes All These Valves?
On a worldwide basis, there are a huge number of metal working engineering companies engaged in the manufacture of a wide range of valve types in a large number of different sizes and configurations. Here in the States, there used to be a big number of small to medium sized enterprises manufacturing valves, many of these started life back in the 1800’s and grew to be fairly big, internationally renowned companies that were often family run and named after the innovative entrepreneur who founded them.
One way or another, most of these companies started to disappear around the 1960’s. Not because their products had become obsolete but more due to acquisitions and mergers – sometimes mutually agreed or, at other times hostile. Either way, in most such cases, the brand and type of valve was maintained but it would now be made under the banner of a different company or conglomerate.
The Famous Names Lived On
This was important for two reasons, plant engineers, managers and supervisors who, over the years, had built up experience based confidence in , say, Marlin Wafer Check Valves would wish to buy the same trusted valve for new or replacement applications. Additionally, many valves have to be subjected to routine maintenance that can involve the purchase of new spare parts for the valve; hence a need for continuation of parts supply.
Authorized Parts Marlin Wafer Check Valves are linked with the Duo-Check valve formally associated with a company known as Mission (who are now part of National Oilwell Varco group). Those same Mission designs are also being made as Marlin Wafer Check Valves as a part of the Crane Co fluid control group.
This was important for two reasons, plant engineers, managers and supervisors who, over the years, had built up experience based confidence in , say, Marlin Wafer Check Valves would wish to buy the same trusted valve for new or replacement applications.
