Louis has lived in the Dallas area for the past 35 years and is a native of Kansas City. His early career and training started in the Kansas City area, and he later transferred to the Regional Offices and Warehouse in Dallas Texas. With a total of 45 years’ experience on water systems, he has gained insight for a wide variety of control valve applications and changing technology. He supports consulting engineers, end users, distributors and does occasional start-ups on special projects. Enjoys golfing, hiking, and chilling out at the lake.

Automatic control valves do so much more than when they were first introduced to the waterworks industry in the early 21st century. Today, you can add electronics to provide wireless communications with utility management systems; utilize innovative control systems that automatically adjust pressure based on demand rather than a fixed set point; and virtually eliminate cavitation in applications with high-pressure differentials. The innovations don’t just stop there. With the recent advancements in control valve technology, particularly in the field of electronic accessories, valves can now be equipped with a device directly into the valve body tapping to add metering capability to a valve without the need to cut piping or install a traditional flow meter. The valves can be retrofitted with other devices that provide valve position, pressure transmitters, and feedback thru SCADA to monitor flows & pressures which can be useful for managing water loss or balancing the distribution system. Generators can also be provided utilizing the hydraulic energy in fluid distribution system piping to generate power. These innovative power generation devices are ideal for isolated locations where tying into the local power grid is not possible or prohibitive in cost. Depending on the model, the units can generate enough power to operate on site equipment such as electronic control valves, communications, or information. From basic functions such as pressure reducing or pump control, to the most advanced capabilities now available, this presentation will provide a succinct overview of how automatic control valves can be used to enhance waterworks distribution and treatment system performance.