“Regent offers SCADA integration support, in-house testing facilities, and on-site commissioning to ensure smooth plant integration and operational continuity,” says Sanjay Mishra of Regent Hitech

“Regent offers SCADA integration support, in-house testing facilities, and on-site commissioning to ensure smooth plant integration and operational continuity,” says Sanjay Mishra of Regent Hitech

“Without accurate control valve performance, a plant can face inconsistent quality, downtime, and operational risks”

“Regent is investing in digital valve diagnostics, IoT enabled sensors, and real time performance monitoring tools”

In an exclusive interview with The Pulp and Paper Times, Mr. Sanjay Mishra, Managing Director of Regent Hitech Pvt. Ltd., shares his views on several topics, including why Regent is moving from manual valves to automated control valves. He also discusses driving automation, reliability, and innovation in flow control. Here is the full interview.

The Pulp and Paper Times

Q: Tell us about Regent Industrial Valves and its evolution. 

Regent Industrial Valves has grown from a traditional industrial valve manufacturer into a modern engineering and automation partner for process industries. Over the years, the company has expanded its product portfolio to include knife gate valves, globe valves, butterfly valves, ball valves, and advanced control valve solutions. Regent has embraced quality certifications such as IBR and ISO to meet critical industry requirements in power, pulp & paper, chemicals, and water treatment. The company has consistently invested in R&D;, production technology, and skilled talent. The evolution reflects a commitment to developing high integrity, high performance valve solutions. Regent today stands as a trusted industry name, delivering customized solutions, rapid execution, and robust aftersales support.

Q: What motivated Regent to move from manual valves to automated control valves? 

The decision was driven by the increasing demand for precision, reliability, and digital integration in modern plants. Traditional manual valves are reliable but limited when it comes to precision control and real time process feedback. Automated control valves offer remote monitoring, diagnostic capability, and seamless integration with SCADA, PLC, and DCS systems. This transition aligns with global industrial automation trends, Industry 4.0 standards, and customer expectations for efficiency, safety, and reduced human error. Regent recognized the need to help industries modernize and built a robust automation division offering pneumatic, electric, and hydraulic actuation platforms, along with smart positioners for digital feedback.

Q: What is a control valve and why is it essential in process industries? 

A control valve is a key regulating device used to manage variables such as flow, pressure, temperature, and level in fluid systems. It receives control signals and automatically adjusts flow passage to maintain stable operating conditions. In process plants, control valves are essential because they ensure product consistency, improve energy efficiency, and maintain safety by preventing surges and process deviations. Without accurate control valve performance, a plant can face inconsistent quality, downtime, and operational risks.

Q: What makes Regent control valves suitable for pulp slurry applications? 

Pulp slurry is abrasive, fibrous, and prone to causing valve clogging and excessive wear. Regent control valves and knife gate valves are engineered with full bore construction, hardened seats, and abrasion resistant liners to ensure long term durability. Optional purge ports, coated internals, and specialized trim ensure smooth operation even under heavy fiber load. These features allow pulp mills to reduce downtime, prevent choking, and maintain continuous flow in critical process lines.

Q: How does a positioner improve control valve performance?

A positioner is the intelligence module of a control valve. It continuously monitors the valve stem position and compares it to the controller signal. When there is deviation, the positioner adjusts air or electrical power to the actuator, ensuring precise valve positioning. This enhances accuracy, reduces hysteresis, and provides stable response across variable load conditions. Modern smart positioners also include self diagnostics, valve signature graphs, and condition alerts, supporting predictive maintenance and extending valve life.

Q: What is valve Cv and why is it important during sizing? 

Cv represents the valve’s flow capacity and is used to determine correct valve size based on process flow requirements. Proper Cv calculation ensures that the valve operates efficiently without excessive throttling or being too large for the application. Incorrect Cv sizing can lead to poor controllability, cavitation, noise, vibration, and energy losses. Correct sizing improves efficiency, accuracy, and component life, which is why Regent follows international sizing standards and uses digital selection tools.

Q: What fail-safe actions are used in control valves? 

Failsafe configurations depend on process criticality. Fail-open, fail-close, or fail-inplace designs are chosen to maintain plant safety under power or air failure. For example, steam line valves often fail-close to prevent hazardous pressure release, while cooling water valves typically fail-open to prevent overheating. Regent provides both spring return and air reservoir options with clear safety logic.

Q: How does Regent ensure control valve reliability in corrosive and abrasive conditions? 

Regent employs special metallurgy such as duplex steels, alloy trim, and advanced elastomers like PTFE, Viton, and EPDM depending on application needs. Valves undergo hydrostatic tests, seat leakage verification, and endurance cycling. Surface treatments, coatings, and engineered trim profiles ensure long term performance even under corrosive chemicals and slurry-based environments prevalent in paper mills and chemical plants.

Q: What is cavitation and how can it be mitigated?

Cavitation is a destructive phenomenon where vapor bubbles form due to pressure drop inside the valve and collapse violently, causing noise, vibration, and trim erosion. Regent mitigates cavitation through multistage trim design, pressure reduction staging, correct valve sizing, and selecting appropriate valve types based on service media. Proper engineering helps avoid significant maintenance and operational losses.

Q: How does Regent support automation and plant integration? 

Regent valves are compatible with both analog and digital control environments, supporting 4–20 mA, Modbus, and Profibus communication protocols. Actuator platforms include pneumatic, electric, and hydraulic drive systems designed for reliable long-term service in harsh environments. The company offers SCADA integration support, in house testing facilities, and on-site commissioning to ensure smooth plant integration and operational continuity.

Q: How do you ensure plant maintenance teams can handle valve automation? 

Regent provides structured training programs, detailed documentation, and hands on service assistance to plant personnel. Maintenance kits, diagnostic tools, and modular actuator mounting systems ensure ease of service and quick component replacement. The goal is to empower plant teams with knowledge, reduce response time, and ensure consistent operational uptime.

Q: What future trends in control valve technology is Regent investing in? 

Regent is investing in digital valve diagnostics, IoT enabled sensors, and real time performance monitoring tools. Smart valve technology allows predictive maintenance, energy optimization, and remote troubleshooting. Future focus also includes more compact actuation systems, eco efficient sealing technologies, and enhancing automation service teams to support global installations
 

Web Title: “Regent offers SCADA integration support, in-house testing facilities, and on-site commissioning to ensure smooth plant integration and operational continuity,” says Sanjay Mishra of Regent Hitech