TPI January 2009

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f i t t ingsfeature on . . .
34 Tube Products International January 2009
Awards for ETEC’s ball valve
and compact bend
Two innovative products from ETEC, Germany, have been honoured in the
‘Materialica Design & Technology Award 2008’.
The company’s ceramic/steel ball valve and compact bend were both selected
for the special award, with the compact bend also being selected for the CO2
efficiency award – the first time this category has been awarded.
The awards ceremony was held during the Materialica Exhibition, an international
trade show for materials and applications, surfaces and product engineering,
which took place in Munich in October 2008.
ETEC’s new ball valve
is manufactured using a
combination of high-quality
materials, selected for their
specific advantages.
Previously, valve balls in
tube systems protected
from wear were made of
just one material, mostly
steel or ceramics.
While a steel version tends
to be more susceptible to
wear, a full ceramic version
has the disadvantage of
being brittle, and since it
has to absorb the driving
power of the valve ball,
there is a risk of breakage.
ETEC developed a valve
ball with a special material
combination: although
the body is made of
steel, the clearance hole
is protected by a casing
made of wear-resistant,
high-performance Alotec
ceramics.
The steel component absorbs the driving power, while the ceramic lining (which
also protects the adjacent passage area of the ball valve and the complete
system) ensures efficient wear protection and helps reduce costs.
There are an increasing number of public discussions about climate change and
CO2 emissions. Specific materials and light construction technologies can help
reduce CO2 emissions.
ETEC’s compact bend, which features an interior lining made of high-
performance Alotec® ceramics, is capable of following the uniform cross-
section of the total system, even in extremely narrow radii. As a result, less
air pressure is required in comparison with impact absorbers generally used,
reducing energy demand.
ETEC – Germany
ETEC’s ceramic/steel ball valve in operation in a S S
power station
The compact bend allows considerable reduction of S S
energy costs
New website for
industrial valve
business
Wolseley UK is a subsidiary of Wolseley
plc, a specialist trade distributor of
plumbing and heating products to
professional contractors and a supplier
of building materials in North America,
the UK and Continental Europe.
Pipe Center, the company’s pipe
distributor, has launched a new website
for its specialist industrial valve business,
Valvestock.
Pipe Center is a supplier to mechanical
services and plant engineers, offering
expertise in tube valves and fittings in
steel, plastic, copper, stainless steel and
commercial/industrial heating and air
conditioning equipment. The company
has 89 branches throughout the UK.
The new website is part of Pipe
Center’s plans to develop Valvestock,
with investment in additional technical
equipment also planned.
The Valvestock website, www.
valvestock.co.uk, highlights the broad
range of products available, with
comprehensive data sheets which can
be downloaded.
Users are able to locate specific
products quickly and easily, and also
see examples and case studies of
bespoke actuated valves designed and
engineered by the company.
Valvestock general manager William
Woodward commented, “We are excited
to launch this website which promotes
our technical expertise and capabilities.
Providing bespoke valves and controls
which offer tailored solutions to our
customers is integral to our business,
and we have therefore included a
dedicated section on the website which
highlights our expertise in this field.”
Wolseley – UK
Pipe Center – UK
Valvestock – UK