Valve flow control optimization via customization of an intelligent actuator

A method for operating a valve actuator arrangement, the method comprising:

• receiving, during a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation, an input control signal and generating at least in part an actual stem positional signal, wherein:
• the input control signal controls a position of a valve stem operably coupled to the valve, the input control signal being generated based on a theoretical flow profile that is other than a known flow profile of the valve, and
• the actual stem positional signal instructs a change in the position of the valve stem based on the input control signal and the known flow profile of the valve;
• correlating, during the first and second modes of operation, respectively, the input control signal to the actual stem positional signal using separate look-up tables and/or equivalent mathematical equations, the look-up tables and/or equivalent mathematical equations configured for each of the first and second modes of operation being stored in the valve actuator arrangement at a same time;
• adjusting, during the first and second modes of operation, respectively, the position of the valve stem based on the respective correlation, wherein:
• adjusting the position of the valve stem during the first mode of operation relates a flow rate of the valve to a first theoretical flow rate associated with the theoretical flow profile, and
• adjusting the position of the valve stem during the second mode of operation relates the flow rate of the valve to a second theoretical flow rate associated with the theoretical flow profile;
• and
• switching from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation.