Blackhall Logo

Valvemetrix

We talk to Blackhall Engineering about the benefits of installing Valvemetrix on a trail site near Skipton and in general.

1. Can you provide an overview of how Valvemetrix works and its primary purpose in valve monitoring?

Valvemetrix combines AI with valuable insights from Blackhall’s expert Valvologists. By retrofitting a smart node to any type of valve, Valvemetrix utilises a suite of over 150 sensors, to help monitor the behaviour of that specific valve or valves. By ascertaining the baseline data over a number of weeks we can set an alert if that data changes by more than 10%. This will indicate that something has changed in the valve’s condition. Blackhall will set up a wireless network on-site to allow us to track these changes remotely, and utilising the expertise of our Valvologists, we will analyse the data before contacting the customer with a report that will provide details of what we believe is happening to the valve, i.e. cavitation within minutes. We’ll then alert the customer to the change with our findings, giving the customer time to mobilise before a major incident can occur.

2. What were the specific challenges in the Reservoir that prompted the use of Valvemetrix?

Excessive vibration was being witnessed by our client, who asked Blackhall to investigate and help diagnose the issue utilising Valvemetrix. This vibration had been strong enough to loosen bolts in the past, potentially causing leaks and isolation problems.

3. How does Valvemetrix differ from other valve monitoring systems on the market?

Valvemetrix is the only system that is a dedicated solution designed to monitor valve function in its entirety. All other systems only measure or monitor one key element. Valvemetrix is all-encompassing and can measure and monitor over 150 different sets of data via each smart node, including CCTV for security, air and water quality as well as the water level in rivers and reservoirs.

4. Can you explain how Valvemetrix contributes to predictive maintenance for valves, particularly in a reservoir setting?

Similar to the engine management light on your car, the smart node constantly monitors the array of sensors that are fitted to the valve. Any change alerts our Valvologists, prompting the team to make contact with the Client. Collating this information over months, if not years, gives us an insight into the valve’s behaviour. By taking this data and combining it with other assets of a similar size and age and in similar settings, we can spot trends through this historical data set. By extension this allows us to predict what a similar valve will do.

5. Could you discuss any unexpected insights or findings that have emerged from using Valvemetrix at the reservoir?

In the first few weeks of setting up our network, we started to receive some unusual readings at fixed times of the day, which, at first, we did not understand. However, after further analysis, we worked out that the vibration was coming from passing vehicles.

6. How does Valvemetrix integrate with other equipment or systems within the reservoir’s infrastructure?

Quite the opposite, we want the reservoir owner to integrate their existing systems with Valvemetrix. We can import data from other services like Scada, which currently monitors water levels in reservoirs. However, the operator only wants one dashboard to monitor rather than multiple. So, we have set up the system to easily import other providers’ data with the correct permissions.

7. What are the long-term benefits of using condition-based monitoring for valves in terms of cost, downtime and asset lifespan?

Usually, these valves are in hard-to-access areas (confined spaces), can weigh as much as five tons and are situated under concrete slabs or roofs, necessitating the commissioning of rescue teams when an inspection or repair is required so the cost of which is likely to be daunting.

Valvemetrix is an affordable way of monitoring valves under these circumstances and helps the customer understand at what stage in its lifecycle this asset is. Allowing the customer to make the informed decision as to whether to leave the valve in place for a further 5 years, RenoV8 that asset, or start to budget to remove that valve on their terms before the valve breaks – causing a potential environmental disaster.