Pneumatic Actuators in Water and Wastewater Treatment

Pneumatic valve actuators are widely used in water and wastewater treatment facilities to control the flow of fluids and to regulate the pressure of process streams. These actuators use compressed air to actuate and manage the process control system valves. The following is a detailed explanation of how pneumatic valve actuators are used in water and wastewater treatment facilities:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.

In conclusion, pneumatic valve actuators play a critical role in controlling and regulating water and wastewater treatment processes. They ensure that the process streams are correctly managed, isolated, and regulated, leading to a more efficient and effective treatment process.

For more information, contact:

Automatic Controls of Virginia

https://acva.com

(804) 752-1000

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Electric Valve Actuators in Municipal Water Facilities and Industrial Process Plants

Electric valve actuators are devices that are used to open and close valves in water treatment plants and industrial process plants. These actuators are typically powered by electricity and can be controlled manually or automatically using electrical signals.

In municipal water treatment plants, valve actuators are used to control the flow of water through various stages of treatment. For example, they may be used to open and close valves that control the flow of raw water into the treatment plant, the flow of treated water out of the plant, and the flow of water between different stages of treatment.

In industrial process plants, valve actuators are used to control the flow of fluids and gases in a variety of process applications. For example, they may be used to control the flow of steam in a power plant, the flow of oil in a refinery, or the flow of chemicals in a chemical processing plant.

There are several types of electric valve actuators, including linear actuators and rotary actuators. Linear actuators operate by moving a rod or a piston in a linear direction to open or close a valve. Rotary actuators operate by rotating a shaft or a cam to open or close a valve.

The importance of electric valve actuators in municipal water facilities and industrial process plants lies in their ability to control the flow of fluids and gases accurately and efficiently. By using electric valve actuators, these facilities are able to automate their processes, reduce the risk of human error, and maintain a high level of control over the flow of fluids and gases. This is important for the safe and efficient operation of these facilities, as well as for the quality of the products and services they provide.

For more information, contact:

Automatic Controls of Virginia

https://acva.com

(804) 752-1000

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Automatic Turbine Water Induction Prevention from Questtec Solutions

All normally operating steam turbines carry the inherent risk of water ingress. Small amounts of condensate can enter from any connection to the turbine, sometimes arising rapidly from the condensation of steam. This almost always results in catastrophic damage to the turbine, even in low pressure situations. Human operators are rarely able to recognize and prevent these problems as quickly as they occur. 

The cost of turbine water induction problem is not just about the money spent on repairs or replacements. It also includes the time and effort that goes into correcting the issue.  The cost of turbine water induction problem can be defined as the total cost of repairing or replacing a turbine. This includes the costs for labor, materials and equipment, and other expenses. 

Therefore, automatic turbine water induction prevention (TWIP) systems must be used to safeguard turbines from this danger. They save significant costs through quick detection and prevention of water ingress into the steam turbine.

Automatic turbine water induction prevention systems are a critical component of the operation of power plants. These devices are used to detect and prevent condenser tubes from being flooded with water in the event of a turbine trip. The TWIP system can detect if there is water in the condenser tubes before it enters the turbine. This will allow operators to take corrective action before it causes damage to the equipment.

THE QUESTTEC SOLUTION

Questtec offers a range of products to safeguard your system with TWIP. Safe  plant operation begins with a 12 Probe Level-Trac LT-220 system installed on the boiler drum with high alarms and high trips set and continues with the LT-310 on Heater Drains, Superheat and Reheat Main Drains, and on Drip Pots downstream of Attemperators. This will monitor all potential areas for turbine water induction and automatically detect it. Our products fulfill ASME recommendations for safe steam turbine operation made in the TDP-1-2006 Standard. 

The LT-310 Series’ works on the same principles as the high integrity LT- 210 Series Resistivity and is selected where 1–6 probe channels are required. A single probe can be utilized to provide a control signal or several can be paired and validated against each other where greater reliability is demanded. It offers a sensitivity that is reliably able to detect condensate down to 0.5 mS/cm2 instantly.The circuits are in a continual state of test, with any faults reported through relay contacts and a visual indicator mounted on the front panel. The system can be set up such that no failed individual probe or component can cause a false signal, thereby always maintaining the critical functionality of the probes.

STANDARD FEATURES

Questtec includes a number of standard features in all TWIP products to ensure easy operation and maintenance. Standard features include: Alarms & Validated Tripping Relays, Normally Energized or Deenergized Relays, Time Delays, Sensitivities Settings, LED flash. All are easily set with solder pads in the field or by Questtec before delivery. Products also include an electronics integrity test button that tests the entire system’s operation.

For more information, contact:

Automatic Controls of Virginia

https://acva.com

(804) 752-1000

Why You Should Choose Double Offset Butterfly Valves Over Single Offset

Isolation valves are a critical part of any piping system, but they're not given much thought until it's time to operate them.

They can remain open for weeks or even years, but they must provide a reliable seal when you close them.

Single offset butterfly valves seal with 360 degrees of contact between the resilient seat and the seating surface. However, when open, the seat and mating surface remain in contact at two points. Over time this continuous contact can cause the seat to become compressed and distorted, resulting in two potential points of leakage when the valve is closed, wasting water and compromising your piping system.

Thankfully, Val-Matic has the double offset butterfly valve, a version of our time-tested American butterfly valve that provides reliable isolation service without needing maintenance.

Here's how it works.

In addition to the offset from the body, the center line of the valve shaft has a slight second offset from the pipe center line. This allows the resilient rubber seat to completely lift off the metal mating surface when the valve is fully opened, eliminating rubber seat compression and two potential leakage points.

Add a precision nickel welded seat, and you have the peace of mind of a valve that seals reliably every time.

Contact Automatic Controls of Virginia for more information about the Val-Matic double offset butterfly valve. Call 804-752-1000 or visit https://www.acva.com.