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THANKS TO ALL WHO VISITED WITH US AT THE 2017 ILLINOIS RURAL WATER ANNUAL CONFERENCE!

by Jim Mimlitz ⋅ Leave a Comment Jim Mimlitz Jim Mimlitz, NRI Thank you! to all who stopped by and visited with us at the 2017 Illinois Rural Water Annual Conference in Effingham IL

Tony Beuke and Brian Isom of Flow Controls generously lent their expertise at the 2017 Illinois Rural Water Annual Conference in Effingham IL as we led an advanced valve automation training course.  In this course, we introduced exciting, breakthrough control valve technology, which is based upon JFlow Controls’ new V-Port/Baffled Segmented Ball Valve. Tony Beuke (President – JFlow Controls), Jim Mimlitz (Navionics Research), Steve Fletcher (General Manager – Washington County Water Company and President – National Rural Water Association), Brian Isom (Product Manager – JFlow Controls)

This year, we had two special guests, Tony Beuke (President, JFlow Controls Inc.) and Brian Isom (Product manager, JFlow Controls Inc.).

Tony and Brian generously lent their expertise as we led an advanced valve automation training course. In this course, we introduced exciting, breakthrough control valve technology, which is based upon JFlow Controls’ new V-Port/Baffled Segmented Ball Valve.

Tony Beuke (President – JFlow Controls), Jim Mimlitz (Navionics Research), Steve Fletcher (General Manager – Washington County Water Company and President – National Rural Water Association), Brian Isom (Product Manager – JFlow Controls) This valve technology was applied within the Illinois Rural Water community at Fosterburg Water District, where two diaphragm valves had reached end-of-life and were slotted for replacement. Each upgrade consisted of a new 6 inch V-Port/Baffled Segmented Ball Valve, a Quarter-Turn Motorized Actuator, plus SCADA Control modifications. The experiences and telemetry performance data from this application were reported in the training course, thereby providing a blueprint of how a rural water district can achieve similar successful results.

For those who could not attend, the training class was based upon the experiences detailed in an earlier blog article, titled “Precision Digital Flow and Pressure Control With a V-Port/Baffled Segmented Ball Valve”:

Precision Digital Flow and Pressure Control With a V-Port/Baffled Segmented Ball Valve

The Training Course PowerPoint slides are also available online at SlideShare:

Precision Flow and Pressure Control with a V-Port Segmented Ball Valve and SCADA-Based Automation from Jim Mimlitz

Interested?

Would our state-of-the-art, V-Port/Baffled Segmented Ball Valve technology help solve a control challenge in your Water District? Give us a call. Our Telemetry/Control Systems are designed to leverage this exciting technology; and we’ll be glad to discuss this with you in further detail.

Telemetry, SCADA, & Controls Newsletter

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Posted in: General, Valves ⋅ Tagged: annual conference, Illinois rural water association Jim Mimlitz

About Jim Mimlitz Licensed Professional Electrical Engineer @ Navionics Research. Specialties: Radio-Telemetry / Controls / SCADA System Integration for Water Utilities, Flow Metering, Variable Frequency Drives, Motorized Valves, Electronic Circuit Design, Software Development.

  The post THANKS TO ALL WHO VISITED WITH US AT THE 2017 ILLINOIS RURAL WATER ANNUAL CONFERENCE! appeared first on Blog.

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Ball Valves For Steam Service: How the JFlow DM4600 Series Solves The Limitations of Steam Service Ball Valves

We all know that when water is heated beyond its boiling point, it vaporizes into steam.

However, did you know that not all steam is equal?

Depending on the both the pressure and temperature that steam is exposed to, its properties can be very different.

Types of Steam

Saturated Steam: Results when heated water is heated to its boiling point and begins to vaporize.

Wet Saturated Steam: The most common form of steam. A Mixture of saturated steam that contains condensed water particles from water molecules that are not vaporized.

Dry Saturated Steam; Saturated steam that is free of water particles.

Super Heated Steam: When Saturated steam is heated beyond the saturated steam level. This yields steam that has a higher temperature and lower density than saturated steam have at the same pressure.

Steam and steam condensate are generally more corrosive than water due to the presence of dissolved gases, carbon dioxide, and oxygen. These elements can cause the steam and ball of the valve to corrode

Limitations of Ball Valves in Steam Service

In general, ball valves for steam service are rated at a lower temperature than for liquid or gas service. There are three main reasons for this:

Wet steam can damage the ball when the ball is opened or closed or when throttling the valve.

Opening and closing the valve can also damage the PTFE or RPTFE seats in the valve.

Steam and steam condensate are generally more corrosive than water due to the presence of dissolved gases, carbon dioxide, and oxygen. These elements can cause the steam and ball of the valve to corrode.

How The JFlow DM4600 Series Ball Valves For Steam Service Solves These Limitations:

To solve the first problem of damage to the ball, the JFlow DM4600 series uses a vented ball with a 1/8” drill hole in the top of the ball slot to prevent excessive pressure build-up in the cavity from the trapped liquid when the valve is in the closed position.

The second issue is solved by using TFM 1600 seats and seals for low-pressure steam (261 psi @ 403°F)  and by using TFM 4215 seats and seals for saturated steam and high-pressure steam. (378 psi @ 437°F)

The JFlow DM4600 Series Ball Valves for Steam Service solves the third limitation by the application of an electroless nickel coating (also known as autocatalytic coating). This is actually a nickel-phosphorus alloy. Electroless nickel has the unusual quality of being amorphous and not crystalline in structure. These coatings possess high hardness, uniform thickness, natural lubricity, extended service life and abrasion resistance. Shutdowns and delays in industries that use steam can be quite common because of the need to replace components, but as electroless nickel substantial extends the life of parts and components, a vast amount of money can be saved. The coating also provides an excellent surface condition for ball plugs and improves the sealing at the seat areas.

To learn more about the JFlow DM4600 Series Ball Valves for steam service click here

The post Ball Valves For Steam Service: How the JFlow DM4600 Series Solves The Limitations of Steam Service Ball Valves appeared first on Blog.

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What is a Vented Ball Valve and When Do You Use It?

Quick-what’s the world’s most popular form of transportation? If you guessed a car or plane……you’re wrong. The most common form of transport is…

The humble, ever flowing pipeline. The sheer volume of fluid and gas that quietly passes through pipelines under our feet and all around us, every hour boggles the mind. To make sure this process runs efficiently and safely, pipes need a way of regulating how much fluid can pass through them. This is where ball valves come in handy. Ball valves are like levers or switches that can turn pipes on and off or raise or lower the amount of fluid flowing through them.

Here’s How Ball Valves Work:

In a ball valve, a hollow sphere (the ball) sits snugly inside the pipeline, completely blocking the fluid or gas from flowing. Turn the valve’s handle and the ball moves, allowing the fluid to flow freely through the middle of it. However, in certain applications, excessive pressure can build up inside the ball. When pressure builds, the bubble-tight seal of the ball valve prevents the trapped gas or fluid from escaping. The pressure build up can damage the ball and in extreme cases, can cause an explosion inside the valve. This is especially true in applications involving liquid oxygen or nitrogen or bleach.

  How To Prevent Pressure Build Up Using a Vented Ball Valve

The most common and effective way to relieve damaging pressure is to vent the ball valve through a second, smaller hole in the ball. This hole allows the fluid or gas trapped inside the ball to escape, preventing damage to the ball while relieving the pressure. Vented ball valves are segmented as either vented internally or externally ( Where the vent is located on the valve.) and whether the vent is facing upstream or downstream. Upstream is the side from which the flow arrives. Downstream is where the flow goes after it leaves the valve.

Here’s How External Vented Ball Valves Work

The vent allows trapped pressure to pass harmlessly away from the system directly into atmosphere when the valve is closed. The ball contains a vent that is isolated from the ball hollow to prevent continuous leakage from the body vent port when the valve is open. The downstream vent provides an exhaust path for the fluid downstream of the valve. The upstream vent provides an escape path for the fluid upstream of the valve.

External vents allow trapped pressure to pass harmlessly away from the system directly into atmosphere when the valve is closed. The external vent is isolated from the ball hollow to prevent continuous leakage from the body vent port when the valve is open.

How An External Vented Ball Valve Operates Downstream

When the valve is open, system fluids flow through the valve. No venting occurs because the vent passage is separated from the flow path.

No venting occurs because the vent passage is separated from the flow path.

When the valve is closed, shutoff occurs on on the upstream side only. Downstream fluids flow through the vent passage to the vent port and are released to atmosphere.

When the valve is closed, shutoff occurs only on the upstream side. Downstream fluids flow through the vent passage to the vent port and are passed harmlessly to atmosphere.

How An External Vented Ball Valve Operates Upstream

When the valve is in the open position, system fluids flow through the valve. No venting occurs because the vent passage is isolated from the flow path of the fluid.

When the valve is open, system fluids flow through the valve. No venting occurs because the vent passage is isolated from the flow path.

When the valve is in the closed position, shutoff occurs only on the downstream side. Upstream fluids flow through the vent passage to the vent port and are released to atmosphere.

  When the valve is closed, shutoff occurs only on the downstream side. Upstream fluids flow through the vent passage to the vent port and are passed harmlessly into atmosphere.

How An Internal Vented Ball Valves Work

The internal vent equalizes pressure in the ball and valve body to the same as the system, protecting the valve from damaging pressure build up. The ball has a vent that intersects the hollow part of the ball at a 90° angle. (See Image) The downstream vent equalizes pressure in the ball and body to that of the downstream system when the ball is in the closed position. The upstream vent insures the fluid pressure is equalized to that of the upstream system when the ball is in the closed position.

The ball contains a vent  that intersects the ball’s hollow at a 90° angle. There are no external vent ports

How An Internal Vented Ball Valve Operates Downstream

When the valve is in the open position, system fluids flow through the valve. The vent passage allows pressure inside the valve to remain equal to system pressure.

When the valve is open, system fluids flow through the valve. The vent passage allows pressure inside the valve to remain equal to system pressure.

When the valve is closed, the vent passage faces downstream. This allows pressure to equalize between the valve body and the downstream system.

When the valve is closed, the vent passage faces downstream. This allows pressure to equalize between the valve body and the downstream system.

How An Internal Vented Ball Valve Operates Upstream

When the valve is in the open position, fluids flow through the valve. The vent passage allows pressure inside the valve to remain equal to system pressure.

When the valve is in the open position, fluids flow through the valve. The vent passage allows pressure inside the valve to remain equal to system pressure.

When the valve is in the closed position, the vent passage faces the upstream side. This allows pressure to equalize between the body and the upstream system.

When the valve is in the closed position, the vent passage faces the upstream side. This allows pressure to equalize between the body and the upstream system.

Vented ball valves are actually an excellent solution to relieving damaging pressure build up in pipelines. They can be used in a variety of applications. They are commonly used in refrigeration units, cryogenic applications, and high pressure air lines that incorporate automated gates for safety reasons. To learn more about JFlow Controls Vented Ball Valves click here.

The post What is a Vented Ball Valve and When Do You Use It? appeared first on Blog.

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8 Best Articles on What is a Solenoid Valve and How Do They Work

The 8 Best Articles on What is a Solenoid Valve and How Does it Work

Quite a few of our website visitors want to know “What is a solenoid valve” and “How do solenoids work?” To help you out, we pulled together eight of the best and most up-to-the-minute articles, infographics and videos on the internet that explain everything you need to know about solenoid valves. Including how they work and what are the best applications in which to use them.

A solenoid, (from the French solénoïde) according to Wikipedia, “is a coil wound into a tightly packed helix.” A solenoid valve is defined as “an integrated device containing an electromechanical solenoid which actuates either a pneumatic or hydraulic valve.”

Now that we have the technical definitions out of the way, let’s get started:

Here are, in no particular order, some easy to understand articles and videos that can answer all your questions about solenoid valves as well as hopefully spark some ideas on how you can use them to solve your flow challenges.

Note: We know that there are other pieces of content that we might have missed. Feel free to add them in the comments.

1. How A 2-Way Normally Closed Solenoid Valve Works

Source: Pinterest: Discover and save creative ideas

“Solenoid valves make automation of fluids and gas control possible. Modern solenoid valves offer fast operation, high reliability, long service life, and compact design..”Read More

2. How does a direct acting solenoid valve work?

Source: How does a direct acting solenoid valve work? – YouTube

This short video explains the function of direct acting solenoid valves, using Bürkert’s 3/2 way Type 6014 valve to demonstrate..

3. A Tutorial on Solenoid Control Valves by fluid control experts

Source: Solenoid Control valves | Proportional Valves | Burkert

“Checklist for choosing the correct solenoid control valve

1.What medium (fluid) do you want to control?

With regard to its chemical-physical reaction behaviour, it must be checked whether the valve parts in contact with the medium are compatible with the medium itself.

2. How high is the maximum operating pressure?

The valve must be able to shut off the highest pressure in the application.

3.What are the process data?

For optimal sizing of the valve orifice there are some issues to be cleared up…” Read More

4. Solenoid Valve – A Beginners Guide

Source: Solenoid Valve, ASCO Valves, How Do Solenoid Valves Work, What Is A Solenoid Valve

“A solenoid valve is an electromechanical valve which is normally used for the fluid control of water, air, oil or gas. They are made up of two components. The solenoid (essentially consisting of a coil, core, core tube, shading coil & spring) and the valve (the body containing orifices in which the disc, diaphragm or piston is positioned…” Read More

5. Understanding Solenoid Valves

Source: Understanding Solenoid Valves

“Direct operated solenoid valves function to directly open or close the main valve orifice, which is the only flow path in the valve. Direct operated valves are used in systems requiring low flow capacities or in applications with low pressure differential across the valve orifice. The sealing surface that opens and closes the main valve orifice is connected to the solenoid plunger. The valve operates from zero pressure differential to maximum rated pressure differential (MOPD) regardless of line pressure. Pressure drop across the valve is not required to hold the valve open…” Read More

6. Solenoid Valve Technology for Upstream Oil and Gas Heating Equipment

Source: Solenoid Valve Technology for Upstream Oil and Gas Heating Equipment

“At remote installations, power is often in short supply, so that valves may draw electrical power from generators, solar arrays or battery packs. Also, valves that don’t use wellhead gas for pneumatic power require added equipment such as compressors, filters, regulators and lubricators. So users prefer control equipment that minimizes power consumption as much as possible.

Most early solenoid valves used in these applications continuously drew over 20 W of power: a distinct drawback for many users. In succeeding years, valve designers re-engineered their products, striving to cut power consumption for remote applications. Almost all models are now much improved…” Read More

7. Direct-Acting Solenoid Valve Animation

Source: Direct-Acting Solenoid Valve Animation – YouTube

How does a direct-acting solenoid valve work? This video will help you understand the basic operation principle.

8. Answers to your technical questions on Solenoid Valves & Pressure Operated Valves

Source: How do solenoid valves work | Solenoid Valve technology

“Simple on/off valves are the most popular as many process lines only need flow or no flow.  Solenoid valves can be used in factories/plants where compressed air is not available. They can also be used in place of larger valves such as electrically actuated ball valves, but without taking up anywhere near as much space. Operation is also much quicker than other valve technologies..” Read More

  The post 8 Best Articles on What is a Solenoid Valve and How Do They Work appeared first on Blog.

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4 Best Control Valve Market Forecast For 2016 -2021

Where is the control valve market headed? What are the current factors driving the market?

Valves are relatively mature product. Many experts agree that design innovation has largely plateaued since the 1960’s.  As you will see in the article by world-renown expert Hans D. Baumann listed below, this is a becoming a major consideration in market growth. 

However, innovation is just one of many factors that determine the control valve market’s growth. Sales levels in any given year are primarily influenced by the performance of the industries that utilize the valves. The most common concern in the various forecasts listed below is the sharp decrease in the price of oil.

Below are listed the best control valve market forecasts for 2016 and beyond.

Let’s take a look:

1. Valve Magazine’s 2016 Market Outlook: Mostly Cloudy

Source: 2016 Market Outlook: Mostly Cloudy

An Insightful article that paints a grey picture of the market in general (with one bright spot) due to the these major factors:

The price of oil:-the big question is, when will demand begin to grow and prices rise again?

The slump in China’s economy.

However, the article concludes on a hopeful note. World population growth is expected to reach 9.5 billion by 2050 from it’s present level of 7 billion. The number of people living in cities is expected to jump from it’s current percentage of 60% to over 70%. This will put stress, strain and capacity problems on water delivery and wastewater systems. Which, in turn will increase the need for control valves.

2. Control Valves Market – Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2015 – 2021

Source: Control Valves Market – Global Industry Analysis and Forecast 2015 – 2021

The Bottom Line:

According to the most recent market report published by Transparency Market Research titled Control Valves Market – Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2015 – 2021, the control valve market was valued at US $7.74 billion in 2014. The report estimates the market to grow at a CAGR of 7.0% and reach US$12.14 billion by 2021. The much discussed report  provides a comprehensive analysis of the global control valves market as well as a control valve market forecast for the period from 2015-2021.

The report segments the global control valves market into three categories:

Pneumatic control valves

Hydraulic control valves

Electric control valves,

The market is divided geographically into four regions:

 North America

Europe,

Asia Pacific

The Rest of the world

Major factors driving the market are:

Increasing investment in the oil and gas industry

The growing number of pipeline installations for efficient fluid handling across different industries

The sprouting demand of processed foods from the emerging markets like China, India and Brazil, which snowballs the demand for control valves to ensure efficient food processing.

The increasing demand in the pharmaceutical industry for sophisticated and fast fluid handling systems.

The rising number of industrial infrastructure projects in developing countries.

  3. World Pipelines’ Summary of Transparency Market Research Control Valves Market – Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2015 – 2021

Source: Control valves market forecast for 2015 – 2021

This post provides you with a free summary of the paid report above. It breaks down the data into easily digestible pieces and gives you the overall tone of the forecast.

    4. International Society of Automation – Control Valves -An Update

Source: Automation Basics: Control valves – an update – ISA

While not a control valve market forecast per se, this is a very concise article on the cutting edge of control valve industry as well as a brief economic outlook of the market. 

The author, Hans D. Baumann, is a world-renown expert on control valves and the holder of over 103 U.S. patents.

Hans attributes some of  the current woes of the industry to the fact that over 85% of all control valves sold today rely on technology from the 1960’s. He argues that while the lack of innovation makes sense from an accountant’s point of view, it allows well established products to lack patent protection. This, in turn, makes these valves easy prey to “knock-offs.”

He then reveals promising new butterfly valve innovation as well as new ways to fight noise and cavitation.

Hans ends the post with his own economic outlook, which is “mildly optimistic.”

Very worth-while reading.

The post 4 Best Control Valve Market Forecast For 2016 -2021 appeared first on Blog.

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How To Size A Diaphragm Actuated Control Valve In 5 Easy Steps

  The 5 Steps to properly sizing a diaphram actuated control valve using the Cv method.

We found this great blog post at www.wwdmag.com on sizing in diaphragm actuated control valve and adapted it into an infographic. Next time you need to size one, have this image handy. It will make sure that you are getting the right valve for the right application at the RIGHT Price!

Check out the original post here.

Get the Free Valve Sizing App on Your Phone or Tablet

Size Your Valve In The Field With Accurate Calculations of Process Cv’s For Mobile Phones, Tablets & Desktop

Click here to access the FREE Sizing App

The post How To Size A Diaphragm Actuated Control Valve In 5 Easy Steps appeared first on Blog.

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CONTROL VALVE ACTUATOR BENCH SET REQUIREMENTS

In the world of process control engineering, there’s so much to understand about automatic control valves. But one factor that probably doesn’t make the Top 10 List is actuator bench set, as it applies to spring- and diaphragm-type actuators.

In the world of process control engineering, there’s so much to understand about automatic control valves. But one factor that probably doesn’t make the Top 10 List is control valve actuator bench set, as it applies to spring- and diaphragm-type actuators. This factor is an often-misunderstood point of confusion, and sometimes incorrectly described part of a control valve’s actuator specifications. But not understanding it can set one up for a failure in the form of a mis-sized actuator and spring. Maybe this information can help to clear the cloud of confusion and make it easier for engineers, technicians, and operators to understand.

The Importance of Control Valve Actuator Bench Set

Without getting too deep into it, we need to understand the factors that go into the sizing and selection of an actuator that provide the moving force to an automatic control valve. In order to adequately operate a control valve, the actuator must deliver enough thrust (for sliding stem globe valves) or torque (for ball and butterfly valves) to counter the forces acting upon the valve and its components. Those forces include:

The force to overcome static unbalance of the valve plug/ball, or simply the force the process fluid pressure imparts and the plug/ball;

The force to provide seat loading for proper shutoff tightness; and

The force to overcome packing friction.

Those forces combined make up the minimum required force to move the control and provide the seating force to adequately shut off the process flow. (EDITOR’S NOTE: This topic was covered in detail in “Control Valve Shutoff Classification and ‘Allowable Leakage Rates’,” in the May 2015 issue of Flow Control, pages 31-32).

It’s the first two forces — static unbalance and seat loading — that are the factors that an actuator’s bench set or initial set are dealing with. We can think of bench set as a factory setting or an adjustment made to the actuator “on the bench” during the assembly of the actuator that preloads the actuator spring to counter the forces of static unbalance and seat loading.

Typical diaphragm loading pressure, or pneumatic instrument signal range, is 3-15 PSIG (sometimes 6-30 PSIG is used). Typical signal outputs of pneumatic controllers, electro-pneumatic transducers, and valve positioners are also 3-15 PSIG. So it would seem logical that a signal slightly higher than 3 PSIG applied to a spring and diaphragm actuator would begin to move the actuator and an increasing signal up to 15 PSIG would move the actuator through its full range of travel. And that’s the way it is supposed to work. But then introduce the forces of “A” and “B” previously mentioned, and an adjustment needs to be made; a factory adjustment called “bench set.”

The control valve actuator bench set adjustment is setting the actuator spring loading “on the bench” before the actuator is coupled to the control valve, before any of the forces mentioned above are introduced. For example, if we have an “Air To Open” actuator with a bench set spec of 7-15 PSI, the spring-loading adjustment and the travel stop is set so that the actuator stem begins to move up, or retract, when the air signal applied to the actuator diaphragm increases from 7 PSI, not 3 PSI, and reaches its full travel distance when the air signal reaches 15 PSI. By setting the actuator spring loading in this way, when the actuator is coupled to the control valve and the control valve is in the pipeline with process pressure applied, there is enough force applied by the actuator to the valve stem, plug, and seat ring to counter the process pressure and hold the valve plug against the seat ring with enough seat loading to provide the specified shutoff tightness. The valve and actuator are still going to operate as expected at 3-15 PSI when exposed to process pressures; that’s where the misunderstanding begins. The proper initial spring loading during actuator assembly provides for proper operation of the valve/actuator assembly when in the pipeline and in service. When 3 PSI is applied to the actuator diaphragm, the valve is still closed, and as the air signal begins to increase the actuator begins to move the valve stem up and reaches full travel at 15 PSI.

The same effects are in play with an “Air To Close” actuator, for example, using a 3-12 PSI bench set. The actuator spring loading and travel are set to begin to extend the actuator stem at 3 PSI at the top of its stroke, and reach the full range of travel at 12 PSI air loading. By setting the actuator spring loading in this way, when the full 15 PSI air signal from the controller/transducer/positioner is applied there will be that extra thrust from the actuator to counter the unbalance force of the process pressure acting on the plug and stem assembly.

If no bench set or spring loading is considered and the actuator is adjusted to move over the full range of its travel with a 3-15 PSI air signal, the process pressure can work against the actuator spring and actually force the valve plug to lift off of the seating surface, allowing process fluid to pass through the valve instead of being closed.

This doesn’t mean that a 3-15 PSI bench set is not a valid specification for an actuator. If the process pressure is low enough or the port size is small enough that the total of the three A, B, and C forces is less than the thrust the actuator can provide with 3-15 PSI bench set, then everything works. It’s all about delivering more output thrust from the actuator than what’s required to move the valve.

 This post was originally published here: CONTROL VALVE ACTUATOR BENCH SET REQUIREMENTS

Related article: Quality Solenoid Valves at Great Prices E-Pneumatic