Mead O'Brien increases reach in the Water and Wastewater Industry through acquisition of Ulmer Equipment Company

Mead O'Brien Ulmer
Mead O’Brien, a leader in valves & valve automation, steam & hot water products and instrumentation products, has acquired the operations and substantial assets of Ulmer Equipment Company, Inc. of Fenton, MO.

Ulmer Equipment Company is a well known and well respected manufacturer’s representative and distributor of AWWA and industrial valves and accessories.

The acquisition expands Mead O'Brien’s offering in valves and related equipment to the Water and Wastewater industry sector in the Midwest region.

Mead O’Brien, Inc. headquartered in North Kansas City, is a midwestern regional manufacturer’s representative and distributor with branches and warehouses in St. Louis, MO; Calvert City, KY; and Tulsa, OK. Sister companies include H*E Engineered Equipment Co., J&M Engineered Products Inc., and Pinnacle Controls LLC.

ISA Instrumentation Cross Training Bootcamp Hosted by Mead O'Brien, Feb. 24-28, 2020

  • 24 February 2020 – 28 February 2020
  • Length: 4.5 Days
  • Time: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday
  • 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Friday
  • CEU Credits: 3.6
  • Member/Group Price: $3390 USD
  • List Price: $4240 USD
  • Affiliate Price: $3815 USD
Location

Mead O’Brien, Inc., 10800 Midwest Industrial Blvd, St Louis, MO 63132

This class focuses on the knowledge and skills sets required to function as an instrument maintenance technician. The electrical skills possessed by a trained electrician will serve as basis for expansion to include the expertise needed to maintain an instrument control system. Process measurement techniques, measurement and control equipment, calibrations techniques and calibration equipment will be discussed and utilized in numerous hands-on lab sessions. The knowledge and experience gained from attending this class will lead the student to become an asset to an I&E maintenance team.

You will be able to:

  • Interpret P&ID documentation
  • Utilize various process calibrators
  • Properly design and construct a current (4-20 mA) loop
  • Analyze and troubleshoot a current loop for proper operation
  • Connect, test and calibrate various electronic analog transmitters
  • Connect, configure, test and calibrate various digital (Smart) transmitters
  • Hook-up, test and calibrate a pneumatic valve positioner
  • Configure, test and calibrate a digital valve controller (DVC)
You will cover:
  • P&ID and other instrument document interpretation
  • Laws of Physics and other fundamentals as applied to measurement and control
  • Ohm’s Law and various other electrical characteristics used in signal transmission
  • Proper use of instrument calibrators and HART communicators
  • Transmitter configurations and calibrations Control valve set-up, configuration and calibration
  • Definitions/modes of operation of process controller and PID algorithms
  • Control loop analysis and fundamental troubleshooting
Register Today
+1 919-549-8411

Happy Holidays from Mead O'Brien

"It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future.  It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace."  Agnes M. Pharo

The Schneider Electric Foxboro CFT51 Digital Coriolis Mass Flow and Density Transmitter with HART or Modbus Communication Protocol


The Schneider Foxboro Model CFT51 Digital Coriolis Mass Flow and Density transmitter is an advanced generation of mass flow devices using DSP (digital signal processing) technology, which allows this transmitter to provide improved performance over other Coriolis flowmeters. This mass flow and density meter, comprising a CFT51 mass flow and density transmitter and a Foxboro CFS mass flowtube, measures fluid mass flow rate directly, not inferentially. Direct measurement of mass helps eliminate the inaccuracies of multiple process measurements associated with volumetric flow devices.


For more information, contact Mead O'Brien. Call them at  (800) 892-2769 or visit their web site at https://meadobrien.com.

The Case for Steam Trap Surveys and Trap Management Programs


Improve Steam System Efficiency, Improve Safety, Lower Carbon Emissions, and Conserve Energy

A reliable, accurate assessment of your steam trap population is important. A proactive trap management program has many benefits including keeping trap failure rates low, maximizing safety, improving system efficiency, improving steam quality, reducing energy use, and improving environmental compliance.

Failure to inspect your steam traps can lead to serious problems and safety risks. Precise, reliable checks help prevent serious problems such as water hammer, unscheduled downtime, production stoppages, frozen lines, increased energy usage, and excess fuel consumption.

Steam Trap Survey Case Study*

A major university is now realizing its energy management goals and improving the efficiency of its steam utility system by initiating and implementing a steam trap management program. The university's heating plant consists of three natural gas boilers that distribute steam to the entire campus through an underground tunnel system.

With the stated goal of making enhancements to their steam system, the university's facilities management group participated in a two-day steam seminar. The seminar provided a full understanding of the technology and methodology, leading to a decision to implement a full campus steam trap survey.

By utilizing state-of-the-art steam trap monitoring tools, the survey was completed after one year. All survey logs and data was collected, and the analysis reports were generated. A trap failure rate of about 15%, which corresponded to over $220,000 in yearly losses, was discovered. Over the course of the next 2 years, more surveys were conducted resulting in a continuing lower trap failure rates, lower carbon emissions, and the savings of an additional $120,000 in energy costs through replacing defective steam traps.

The university scored a huge success in savings, lower carbon emissions, and labor costs. As this trend continues in a downward direction, calculations and reports derived from the yearly surveys are a strong foundation for directors and managers to validate funding to drive the steam trap management program forward.

Components of a Steam Trap Management Program

  • Done by trained survey technicians.
  • Traps located and identified, tagged with SS tag #, and data logged with up to 27 fields of useful data per trap.
  • Executive summary and failed trap report with steam & dollar losses, detailed log sheets, and recommendations provided.
  • Monitoring options presented for critical service applications.
  • Steam flow measurement design discussed.
  • Heat recovery potential discussed.
  • Continued training options available through hands-on, live, steam lab.

Benefits of Steam Trap Management Program

  • Reduce steam & condensate losses.
  • Reduce loss of boiler chemicals.
  • Improve heat transfer performance.
  • Prevent coil and heat exchanger damage.
  • Minimize water hammer hazards.
For more information about steam trap surveys and steam trap management programs, contact Mead O'Brien. Call them at  (800) 892-2769 or visit their web site at https://meadobrien.com.

* Case study courtesy of Armstrong International

Honoring Those Who Served


Veterans Day is not just another holiday. It honors those Americans who fought for our freedom. By celebrating our Veterans, we continue to tell the story of how this country became the most powerful on Earth - through bravery, honor, truth, and determination.

Our Veterans are our neighbors, friends, family, and co-workers. They took an oath to defend the United States and our Constitution, from all enemies, foreign and domestic. We must never forget their bravery, service, and sacrifice.

Mead O'Brien thanks our Veterans for serving our country and protecting our freedom.