AUTOMATIC CONTROLS INDUSTRIAL VALVE, AUTOMATION & CONTROL BLOG
An informational blog dedicated to the application of industrial controls, valves and valve automation in the municipal, environmental and industrial markets. This resource will provide educational information in the form of new product introductions, application notes, and basic concepts of all things related to instrumentation, process control, industrial valves, valve actuation, and flow control. Courtesy of Automatic Controls of Virginia (ACVA).
Mechanical Pressure and Temperature Switches: The Vital Role They Play in the Chemical Processing Industry
Surge Protection Vessels and Hydropneumatic Tanks: Their Use in Water Treatement
Hydropneumatic tanks and surge protection vessels are essential for water supply and treatment systems. They serve different purposes, but both help maintain the efficiency and integrity of water systems.
Hydropneumatic Tanks: Hydropneumatic tanks are used in water supply systems to store and manage pressurized water. They create a pressurized environment to ensure a steady water flow to the end users. These tanks consist of an air-filled space above a water storage area, separated by a flexible diaphragm or bladder.
In the water treatment industry, hydropneumatic tanks provide various services:
- Pressure regulation: Hydropneumatic tanks help maintain consistent water pressure throughout the distribution system, which is essential for adequately functioning treatment equipment and end-user appliances.
- Storage: These tanks store water in a pressurized state, ensuring a continuous water supply during peak demand periods or in case of power outages or pump failures.
- Shock absorption: Hydropneumatic tanks help absorb water hammer or pressure surges, which can occur when pumps start or stop suddenly, preventing damage to the pipeline and other system components.
Surge Protection Vessels: Surge protection vessels, also known as surge tanks or surge arrestors, are designed to protect water supply systems from pressure surges or water hammer. These surges can occur due to sudden changes in flow velocity, such as when a valve is closed, or a pump is started or stopped. Pressure surges can cause damage to pipes, fittings, and other system components, leading to leaks, ruptures, or even system failure.
In the water treatment industry, surge protection vessels:
- Absorb excess pressure: Surge protection vessels have an air cushion or gas-filled bladder that compresses when pressure surges occur, absorbing the extra stress and preventing it from damaging the system.
- Dampen pressure oscillations: These vessels help to dampen pressure oscillations, minimizing the impact of water hammer and reducing the risk of damage to system components.
- Protect equipment: By mitigating the effects of pressure surges, surge protection vessels help extend the life of pumps, valves, pipes, and other equipment in the water treatment system.
Hydropneumatic tanks and surge protection vessels play critical roles in the water treatment industry by ensuring consistent water pressure, storing during peak demand, and protecting system components from damage due to pressure surges and water hammer.
Air and Foot Valves: Ensuring Safe and Efficient Operations in Water and Wastewater Treatment Facilities
Air and Foot Valves are essential in the water and wastewater treatment industry to ensure efficient and reliable flow control in various processes. Both valves serve different purposes and find use in separate parts of the system.
Air Valves:
Air valves play a crucial role in efficiently operating water and wastewater pipelines by managing the air content within the system. They release or admit air from a pipeline under various operating conditions to prevent problems such as airlocks, vacuum formation, and water hammer.
There are three main types of air valves:
a. Air Release Valves: These valves release small pockets of accumulated air from the pipeline when the system operates under pressure, helping maintain the pipeline's efficiency and prevent damage due to air-related issues.
b. Air Vacuum Valves: These valves admit large volumes of air into the pipeline when drained or during a sudden reduction in pressure (e.g., pump shutdown), preventing the formation of a vacuum inside the pipeline, which could cause it to collapse.
c. Combination Air Valves: These valves combine the functions of both air release and air vacuum valves, providing a comprehensive air management solution for the pipeline.
Air valves are common in pipelines for water transmission, distribution, and sewage systems in the water and wastewater treatment industry. They are typically installed at high points along the pipeline or at regular intervals to ensure proper air management.
Foot Valves:
Foot valves are a type of check valve installed at the bottom of a suction pipe or pump intake, primarily in water and wastewater pumping systems. Their primary function is to prevent the backflow of fluid when the pump is not in operation and ensures that the pump remains primed, reducing the need for manual priming and avoiding damage to the pump components.
Foot valves consist of a valve body, a disc or a ball, and a strainer. The disc or ball acts as the sealing element, opening when the pump runs and allowing fluid to flow into the suction pipe. When the pump turns off, the sealing element closes, preventing the fluid from flowing back into the source.
In the water and wastewater treatment industry, foot valves are standard in applications such as raw water intake, pumping stations, and lift stations. They help maintain the efficiency and reliability of the pumping systems, reduce energy consumption, and minimize the risk of pump damage.
Air and foot valves are critical for water and wastewater treatment. Air valves ensure efficient air management in pipelines, while foot valves help maintain the priming of pumps and prevent backflow. Both valves contribute to water and wastewater systems' overall performance, reliability, and safety.
Pneumatic Actuators in Water and Wastewater Treatment
- Control of fluid flow: Pneumatic valve actuators are used to control water and wastewater flow in treatment facilities. They are responsible for opening and closing the valve to regulate the flow rate, ensuring that the right amount of fluid is transported at any given time.
- Regulating pressure: Pneumatic valve actuators control the pressure of process streams in water and wastewater treatment facilities. This is important to maintain a consistent and stable process flow, ensuring that the desired conditions for treatment are maintained.
- Isolation of process streams: Pneumatic valve actuators isolate different process streams in water and wastewater treatment facilities. This helps prevent cross-contamination of other streams, which is critical for maintaining the treated water or wastewater quality.
- Safety control: Pneumatic valve actuators play an essential role in the safety control of water and wastewater treatment facilities. In case of an emergency or a process upset, pneumatic valve actuators can quickly shut down the process stream, reducing the risk of harm to personnel and equipment.
- Process automation: Pneumatic valve actuators can be integrated into the process control system, allowing for automated treatment process control. This reduces the need for manual intervention and increases the efficiency of the treatment process.