Valves, thermal fluids, temperature sensors and enclosure cooling systems have their niches in cooling operations. And, as with all critical components -- without them, or when they aren't functioning properly -- your operation fails, your product isn't produced, or your product is of poor quality. So read on, and see what you can learn from this month's features.

In "Conquering Corrosion," Roberto C. Valenzuela, an applications engineer at Parker Hannifin Corp., Refrigerating Specialties Div., Broadview, Ill., notes that in North America alone, billions of dollars are spent each year trying to minimize or repair the effects of corrosion. Valenzuela explains how a valve design incorporates features such as lightweight and corrosion-resistant materials to help avoid maintenance issues due to corrosion.

Dynalene Inc. authors David Arcury, COO and manager of high performance fluids, and Satish Mohapatra, president and CEO, in Whitehall, Pa., point out that it is during a slow economy that companies should look ahead and develop a future competitive strategy. They suggest that a simple tool for increasing energy efficiency and cooling capacity is to explore fluids designed to optimize heat transfer. Examine their story, "Lean, Green Heat Transfer" to see whether a change in heat transfer fluids could offer improvements in your overall manufacturing process.

Whatever your process is, temperature looms large. Vern Lappe, vice president of technical services at Ircon/Raytek Corp., Santa Cruz, Calif., explains how, as food quality requirements increase, noncontact devices can increase the accuracy of food temperature measurements. Lappe explores the technology in "Seeing Temperature in a New Light."

Jessup Engineering Inc., in Rochester Hills, Mich., designs high-performance automated finishing systems with sophisticated electronic controls. But what happens in harsh, corrosive environments where humidity and airborne contaminants are prevalent? In "Enclosure Cooling in Style" Steve Broerman, engineering manager for the Vortec product line at ITW Air Management in Cincinnati, relates a case history in which his customer switched to a compact vortex tube cooling system.

Anne Armel, Group Publisher, ArmelA@bnpmedia.com