The Swanson Flo Blog is dedicated to provide educational and new product information on process control instrumentation, control valves, and valve automation. For more information on these products, visit SwansonFlo.com or call 800-288-7926.
Lined valves use a fluoropolymer, plastic, or ceramic lining applied to all wetted internal parts of the valve.
Lined valves combine the excellent mechanical properties of metallic bodies with the corrosion resistance of fluorocarbons, such as PFA and PTFE.
Lining the intricately shaped inside surfaces of a valve is certainly an engineering challenge, especially to achieve a uniform thickness and the highest lining quality, without cavities or inclusions.
The special lining process guarantees tight bonding between the lining and the inside of the body.
This effectively prevents the lining from shearing off the body in part or being removed completely.
Ideal applications include highly corrosive applications within the chemical processing industry such as sulfuric and hydrochloric acid.
Lined valves are ideally suited for corrosive applications, requiring very reliable performance, tight shutoff, constant torque and no maintenance. These valves have gained extensive usage in many industries including power generation, pulp and paper, refineries, chemical process, pharmaceutical/bioprocessing and pollution control.
Crucial aspects of process control include the ability to accurately determine qualities and quantities of materials. In terms of appraising and working with fluids (such as liquids, steam, and gases) the flowmeter is a staple tool, with the simple goal of expressing the delivery of a subject fluid in a quantified manner. Measurement of media flow velocity can be used, along with other conditions, to determine volumetric or mass flow. The magnetic flowmeter, also called a Magmeter, is one of several technologies used to measure fluid flow.
In general, magnetic flowmeters are sturdy, reliable devices able to withstand hazardous environments while returning precise measurements to operators of a wide variety of processes. The magnetic flowmeter has no moving parts. The operational principle of the device is powered by Faraday's Law, a fundamental scientific understanding which states that a voltage will be induced across any conductor moving at a right angle through a magnetic field, with the voltage being proportional to the velocity of the conductor. The principle allows for an inherently hard-to-measure quality of a substance to be expressed via the Magmeter. In a Magmeter application, the meter produces the magnetic field referred to in Faraday's Law. The conductor is the fluid. The actual measurement of a magnetic flowmeter is the induced voltage corresponding to fluid velocity. This can be used to determine volumetric flow and mass flow when combined with other measurements.
The magnetic flowmeter technology is not impacted by temperature, pressure, or density of the subject fluid. It is however, necessary to fill the entire cross section of the pipe in order to derive useful volumetric flow measurements. Faraday's Law relies on conductivity, so the fluid being measured has to be electrically conductive. Many hydrocarbons are not sufficiently conductive for a flow measurement using this method, nor are gases.
Magmeters apply Faraday's law by using two charged magnetic coils; fluid passes through the magnetic field produced by the coils. A precise measurement of the voltage generated in the fluid will be proportional to fluid velocity. The relationship between voltage and flow is theoretically a linear expression, yet some outside factors may present barriers and complications in the interaction of the instrument with the subject fluid. These complications include a higher amount of voltage in the liquid being processed, and coupling issues between the signal circuit, power source, and/or connective leads of both an inductive and capacitive nature.
In addition to salient factors such as price, accuracy, ease of use, and the size-scale of the flowmeter in relation to the fluid system, there are multiple reasons why Magmeters are the unit of choice for certain applications. They are resistant to corrosion, and can provide accurate measurement of dirty fluids - making them suitable for wastewater measurement. As mentioned, there are no moving parts in a Magmeter, keeping maintenance to a minimum. Power requirements are also low. Instruments are available in a wide range of configurations, sizes, and construction materials to accommodate various process installation requirements.
Founded in 1960, Swanson Flo has long maintained our position as an industry leader in process automation with unmatched project success leveraging industry preferred products and services.
Our mission is to provide innovative process control solutions for engineers, managers and maintenance professionals through quality equipment and experienced application engineering. These efforts combined with excellent aftermarket service yield reduced operating costs and improved production. Visit http://www.swansonflo.com or call 800-288-7926.
For the fourth consecutive year, pressure and temperature instrument manufacturer Ashcroft, Inc. named Swanson Flo of Plymouth Minnesota the Ashcroft "Distributor of Distinction" for 2016. This award recognizes and honors Ashcroft Distributors who deliver exceptional growth, revenue, and commitment, and stands as Ashcroft's most respected and highest honor for their Distributors.
Swanson stood out from the pack in 2016 with a 17% increase in bookings over their previous year, despite a very tough economy for industrial distribution. Swanson Flo attributes the increase to their focus on developing new business at targeted accounts, increasing the size of their sales force, and turning up new applications at existing accounts.
From left to right: Bill Johnson, Sales Manager, Western Division;
Robbin Jensen, Insides Sales Manager; Tom Howe, Owner/CEO,
Sandy Grinvalds, Ashcroft; and Sid Sondag, Director Sales & Marketing.
Fluid flow control in a process can present a number of challenges, large and small. In addition to selecting a properly sized control valve, your choice of trim design can contribute noticeably to overall positive performance. One candidate for fluid flow control is the sliding gate valve.
The trim of a sliding gate valve essentially consists of a fixed disc and a movable plate installed directly in the flow path. The disc and plate have precisely located and sized perforations, slots, or other openings. The valve actuation mechanism slides the plate across the face of the disc, progressively changing the alignment of the openings in the plate and fixed disc. This type of design can bring some benefits to the process and user:
Short stroke length provides fast response, reduces wear on packing and diaphragm, allows for a compact installed assembly
Ease of maintenance, with fewer trim components that are easily changed
Self cleaning, self lapping seats
The video below provides a clear illustration of how the sliding gate
valve trim works, through animation and exploded views of the valve
components. Share your fluid flow control challenges with a valve specialist and combine your process expertise with their product application knowledge for an effective solution.
ABB has released the new Model LLT 100 Laser Level Transmitter, which
provides continuous non-contact level measurement for process automation
and inventory management across a broad range of industrial
applications.
The new transmitter provides reliable level measurement of solids or
liquids, even clear liquids. The laser ranging technology is packaged
with features required by industrial applications. Currently, three
variants include housings for general industrial applications, as well
as another for high pressure and one for hygienic installation.
The video blow provides a clear overview of the benefits that accrue from
selecting this technology for your next project. More information is available from application specialists, with whom you should share your requirements and challenges to develop effective solutions.
Pressure measurement is a common element of industrial operations and control systems. Fluid processing can often involve media that is potentially harmful to pressure sensing devices. The media may be corrosive to the sensor material, or other media properties may impact the performance or usable life of the instrument. In process control environments, diaphragm seals play a role in protecting items like pressure sensors from damage by process fluids.
The diaphragm seal is a flexible membrane that seals across the connecting path to a sensor and isolates the sensor from the process media. System pressure crosses the barrier without inhibition, enabling accurate measurement, but the process fluid does not. Typical materials composing diaphragm seals are elastomers, with a wide variety of specific materials available to accommodate almost every application.
In the operating principle of the diaphragm seal, the sealed chamber created between the diaphragm and the instrument is filled with an appropriate fluid, allowing for the transfer of pressure from the process media to the protected sensor. The seals are attached to the process by threaded, open flange, sanitary, or other connections. Diaphragm seals are sometimes referred to as chemical seals or gauge guards. Stainless steel, Hastelloy, Monel, Inconel, and titanium are used in high pressure environments, and some materials are known to work better when paired with certain chemicals.
Threaded diaphragm seal
Sanitary processes, such as food, beverage, and pharmaceuticals, use diaphragm seals to prevent the accumulation of process fluid in pressure ports, a possible source of contamination. If such a buildup were to occur, such as milk invading and lodging in a port on a pressure gauge, the resulting contamination compromises the quality and purity of successive batches. Extremely pure process fluids, like ultra-pure water, could be contaminated by the metal surface of a process sensor. Some pneumatic systems rely on the elimination of even the smallest pressure fluctuations, and diaphragm seals prevent those by ensuring the separation of the process materials from the sensors.
Sanitary diaphragm seal with pressure gauge.
Diaphragm seals are not without some application concerns, and devices are now built to address and counter many potential issues related to the use of diaphragm seals with process monitoring instruments and equipment. Products seek to eliminate any and all dead space, allow for continuous process flow, and are self-cleaning thanks to continuous flow design. Some high pressure seals come equipped with anti-clogging features, accomplished by the elimination of internal cavities while protecting gauges. Multi-purpose seals reduce temperature influence and improve instrument performance while pinpointing and diffusing areas of high stress. These pre-emptive measures result
in longer instrument life-cycles and improved performance while ensuring protection from corrosion.
There are numerous options and available diaphragm seal variants. Share your application specifics with a product specialist, combining your own process knowledge and experience with their product application expertise to develop an effective solution.
The coal-fired power generation and combined-cycle power generation industry now demands much more of its control and instrumentation suppliers. Common areas for use are fuel systems, fermenters, gas storage, water treatment, boiler feed water, boiler drum, steam line, cooling water system, generator, condenser, gas cleaning system, flue gas desulfurization, residuals storage and stack.
The document below provides a visual guide of common applications and the instrumentation products that have proven track records in those applications.
The video below highlights several Swanson Flo automated Valtek control valves. Included in these systems are Valtek ShearStream segmented ball valves, Valtek Valdisk BX butterfly valves, Logix positioners, Valtek VR piston actuators, and StoneL Axiom valve monitors.
Swanson Flo is a premier valve and valve automation supplier located in Plymouth, MN with warehouse and fabrication facilities in Addison, IL, Indianapolis, IN and Menomonee Falls, WI.
Visit Swanson Flo at http://www.swansonflo.com or call 800-288-7926 with any valve automation project.
42 inch electrically (Limitorque) actuated butterfly valve.
Swanson Flo, an industrial valve and control company headquartered in Plymouth, Minnesota is also one of North America's leading valve automation specialists.
From simple, small pneumatic or electrically actuated valves, to very large, critical-control valve systems, Swanson Flo delivers tested,
certified, and reliable product to customers located in the Upper Mid-West. Swanson Flo designs, engineers, and assembles actuated valve assemblies for the best fit,
highest performance, and optimal application life. Their engineers and technicians combine
decades of experience and knowledge. Coupled with a broad variety of carefully selected, readily
available components, Swanson Flo customers are provided the best
quality and best value possible.
Building upon 50+ years of industry and applications experience, Swanson Flo boasts the largest, most comprehensive automation facility in the mid-west, with capabilities for electric, pneumatic and electro-hydraulic actuation. A team of experienced design engineers and fabrication technicians construct automated valve systems from virtually any valve, actuator, monitor or positioner technology.
For more information, visit http://www.swansonflo.com or call 800-288-7926.
Swanson Flo specialize in valves, automation and instrumentation. Swanson Flo Performance sets the standard for process control optimization and training that maximizes plant uptime, safety and operating efficiency.
The video below demonstrates the operation a small (Worcester) motor operated ball valve (MOV). Also known as an “electric actuator”, motor operators come in a wide variety of sizes and styles. Some electric actuators are intended for quarter-turn valves (such as ball and butterfly valves), while others are designed to operate linear valves (such as gate and globe valves).
The MOV / electric actuator consists of an electric motor with the gearbox assembly which rotates the shaft of the valve. Most MOVs operate at 120, 240 or 480 volt, single or three phase. Basic features include adjustable limit switches to limit valve travel and to notify valve status, directional settings, analog inputs to allow for precise control, analog outputs to provide a feedback signal and digital communications. MOV enclosures can be either NEMA 4, NEMA 4X and NEMA 7 and are available in a wide range of torque outputs to match the valve it is operating.
Control valves are an integral part of many process control loops. Understanding their basic operation is important for any process control professional. The following video demonstrates the reassembly of the Flowserve Valtek Mark One control valve and introduces the viewer to a control valve's main components.
There are a variety of styles of control valves. A globe control valve is a specific type of valve used for regulating flow in a pipe. The design includes a movable plug, connected to a stem, which can be moved linearly to close or open the valve. Globe control valves are referred to as “linear” valves because of this movement to open and close is directed by a piston type, linear movement actuator. Generally, globe control valves provide better overall flow control than quarter-turn valves due to the design of their flow path.
For more information, a Valtek Mark One specification sheet is also included with this post.
Swanson Flo has facilities and teams of skilled experts who are uniquely equipped to rapidly combine resources and skills for the maximum benefit of their customers. As the company continues to grow, their investment in new technologies, equipment, facilities, and solutions demonstrate their commitment to build solid client
partnerships.
The video below provides a virtual tour of our new Addison, Illinois warehouse, instrument calibration lab, and valve automation center.
A rupture disc (pressure safety disc, burst disc, bursting disc) is a “one and done” pressure relief device most often used to protect a vessel, pipe, or container from over pressurization. As opposed to pressure relief valves, rupture discs are designed to function only one time by providing an instantaneous response to an over-pressure condition.
These sacrificial parts are designed to burst when pressure within production equipment exceeds a certain threshold by breaking down, stopping the process to prevent or mitigate hazardous events. Rupture discs are critical instruments utilized so that companies can ensure process safety as set forth by the International Safety Standards (IEC 61508/61511).
Rupture discs prove most effective when they fail according to pre-established specifications. Inferior rupture discs often cause unnecessary and expensive production shutdowns due to the lack of quality testing and expertise in manufacturing.
Rupture discs are commonly used in chemical, petrochemical, nuclear, aerospace, medical, railroad, pharmaceutical, food processing and gas & oil applications. They provide primary or backup protection. Very often rupture discs are used in tandem with safety relief valves, protecting them from the process media and extending the life of the relief valve.
Isolation ring installed view (courtesy of Ashcroft)
Hard-to-measure fluids such as harsh acids and bases, slurries, adhesives, sludge, paint pigments, and mine slurry can quickly clog or destroy pressure gauges, switches, and transmitters.
For these kinds of applications, the instrument must be isolated from the process media by using a barrier that accurately transmits any pressure changes, while isolating the instrument from direct contact with the media being monitored.
When a pressure instrument is connected directly to a pipeline, solids from the process media can quickly plug the pressure port resulting in erroneous readings. The pressure port on diaphragm seals are prone to clogging too, and won’t solve the problem. The best solution is an isolation ring.
Isolation rings use a flexible inner liner backed with a clean, captive, non-compressible liquid. As the media flows through the pipe, the pressure exerted on the flexible liner is transferred through the liquid directly to the pressure sensing element of the instrument, keeping it completely isolated from the process media.
Isolation rings are designed to protect you from the challenges of clogging, plugging, corrosive media and pulsation. As professionals in the water and wastewater, pulp and paper, mining, and food processing industry know all to well, slurries and digestion processes can clog unprotected pressure instruments, resulting in dangerous conditions and down time.
Isolation rings prevent those problems by protecting the pressure sensing element from the medium. They're designed to overcome the most extreme applications and keep processes running day-in and day-out.
For more information on process instrumentation, call Swanson Flo at 800-288-7926 or visit http://www.swansonflo.com.
The video below gives you a quick look inside an isolation ring and shows how they are used.
For decades, the Foxboro brand has driven the development of various breakthrough measurement technologies: The first d/p cell, the dual-phase Digital Coriolis Mass Flowmeter, the DolpHinTM pH Sensor, and the Magnetic Flowmeter.
Foxboro instrumentation sets the industry standard for performance in a wide variety of measurement technologies:
Pressure transmitters that provide best-in-class accuracy levels and the longest standard and optional warranties in the industry
Flowmeter technolgies: Magnetic, Vortex shedding and Coriolis that provide unparalleled solution for liquids, gases and steam
Process analytical sensors that revolutionize pH and conductivity measurement
Temperature transmitters providing accurate and reliable measurements in the harshest of environments
Level measurement including LevelStar Buoyancy and LevelWave Radar devices for the widest choice of installation and applications
Accutech provides wireless measurements where traditional instruments struggle with operation and budget goals
Foxboro instruments provide accurate, reliable measurement and analysis of pressure, ow, level, and process analytical variables so you have the process control you need for maximum integration and interoperability - all at competitive prices, low cost of ownership, and 24-hour worldwide support from a single source.
For more information on Foxboro Field Instruments, visit Swanson Flo or call 800-288-7926.
Magnetic level gauges, also referred to as magnetic level indicators, are routinely used to provide a display of liquid level in tanks and other vessels. They are often employed in tandem with magnetostrictive, guided wave radar, or other measurement means to provide a reliable local display of liquid level, as well as an electrical signal that can be transmitted to recording instrumentation or controllers. The favorable attributes of magnetic level gauges include:
Continuous level measurement
Operable without electric power
Direct visual tank fluid level indication, regardless of tank shape or profile.
Wide range of operating temperature and pressure
Breakage resistant construction
Range of construction materials available to accommodate corrosive media
Measuring indicators, switches, and transmitters mounted externally, without contacting the medium being measured.
Low maintenance operation.
Readable level indication from greater distance than glass sight gauges.
Applicable to large fluid level ranges with a single instrument.
Magnetic level indicators have a strong position in the liquid level measurement field and should be considered as a candidate for fulfilling those applications where the magnetic level gauge features fulfill the project requirements. There are many options available to customize the level indicator for each specific application. Share your application challenges with a product specialist, combining your process knowledge with their product application expertise to develop an effective solution.
