Flow control and fluid transfer implies to all those equipments that used for the transfer of flow from one device to the other. Examples like hoses, pipes or tubing best explicate the various function like facilitating, controlling, maintaining, metering, or reading the flow of material. Irrespective of whether the material is a liquid, semi solid or gas these flow control and fluid transfer equipment are applicable everywhere.

Types of Flow Control and Fluid Transfer

Some of the most commonly used fluid control devices to solve the purpose of flow transfer effectively includes -

Density & Specific Gravity Sensing – All those components of flow control and fluid transfer industry that are used to determine density and specific gravity of any material is known as density and specific gravity sensing. Examples are hydrometers.

Flow Sensing – This segment includes a wide variety of flow controllers, switches, meters and detectors. The main purpose of these equipments is to analyze flow quality, meter flow and transfer rates, or detect leaks of either liquids or gases.

Level Sensing – All the devices that perform the task of detecting or measuring the level of liquids, gases or solids, within pipes or tanks, or to detect the interfaces between different materials are categorized as level sensing.

Pumps – All those machines that function to raise, compress or transfer a wide variety of materials are categorized as pumps. They are used in flow transfer and control to move a material from one part to the other.

Related Flow Transfer Products – All the flow control and fluid transfer devices that are used for material flow and handling of goods are termed as related flow transfer products.

Valve Actuators and Positioners – In the flow control and fluid transfer industry, all the equipments that are involved in the process of automatically controlling and monitoring the position of valves, in relation to their open or closed positions are called as valve actuators and positioners.

Valves – Valves are loosely referred to all those flow transfer and fluid control equipments that regulate the flow of gases, liquids, or loose materials through piping by opening, closing, or obstructing ports or passageways.

Viscosity Sensing – This category of flow components comprise of all those devices that uses instruments and sensors for measuring the viscous properties of any liquid.

Industry Growth

Flow control and Fluid transfer industry is one of the most thriving industry in the global engineering markets. The markets of India alone have shown a 7-8 per cent growth per annum. The flow industry market is shared by various manufacturers based on technology, manufacturing capacities, brand name quality and price competitiveness. On the global front, the power industry’s long term demand for valves is expected to grow at solid and stable rates. As compared to the sluggish growth rate in the year 2004, the manufacturers and suppliers of these flow control and fluid transfer components are expecting 10-12 per cent growth in this industry.

Applications

The equipments related to flow control and fluid transfer finds their place in almost every industry. While valves are used in industrial as well as medical applications, the flow control devices are incorporated at a vast scale in the automobile industry. Pumps are ubiquitous in almost every industry while viscosity sensing equipments are used in batching or mixing of multiple chemicals. The scope of applications of equipments that facilitate the flow control and fluid transfer process is vast.

Major Market Players

Though it was US, that was considered to the world leader in the manufacture, supply and wholesale of flow control and fluid transfer in the markets all over the world but the recent trends in this industry shows a promising growth for countries like China and India. China has a great potential to grow in this market as China is emerging as a successful fosterer of steel industry, nuclear power industry, thermal power industry and even the petro chemical industry, where these flow transfer and fluid control equipments are in great demand. Another contender is India where almost all the sectors of industry, like power, oil and gas, water and infrastructure projects, metal and mining, chemicals, drugs and pharmaceuticals, and food and beverages, install various types of flow and fluid control components.

Flow Transfer and Fluid Control Publications

Valve User Magazine – An initiative by the British Valves and Actuators Association, Valve User Magazine is a quarterly publication that includes industry news, updates on product developments, application stories and training articles. Having more than 1000 industrial members, this journal is distributed amongst professionals all over the globe.

Pumps India – This is India's most poplar bi monthly magazine that caters to the pump industry. Including articles of leading experts in the field, details of new inventions, technological up-gradation of different types of pumps, their selection, application, design-construction, working principle and maintenance, this magazine includes eminent expertise from Pump industry and technical and research institution.

Flow Transfer and Fluid Control Associations

British Valves and Actuators Associations – Representing the interest of over 60 British companies, the British Valves and Actuators Association facilitates the companies with technical, training and commercial services, technical publications and guidelines, commercial and statistical services, exhibitions and of course a forum with the aim to provide the means for collective representation on matters affecting the interests of the British valve and actuator industry.

CEIR – Known as the European committee for the valve industry, CEIR was formed in the year 1959 with the aim to bring together almost 100% of European manufacturers in the field of valves and fittings. It supports the principles of a free economy and private enterprise in Europe as well as on a global basis and undertakes the various challenges pertaining to the common economic, technical and scientific interests of the European valve industries.

China Valve Industry Association – Based in China, this global association came into existence in the year 1988. The main aim behind the formation of this association was to bridge the gap between the government and manufacturers. It is china's most professional valve organization consisting of large-scale valve manufacturers and valve institutions.