Showing posts with label Wisconsin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wisconsin. Show all posts

An Excellent Industrial Valve Glossary for the New Engineer, Technician, Maintenance Person or Buyer


Here's a great resource (courtesy of Jordan Valve) for the new process engineer, plant maintenance person, industrial valve buyer, or service technician. This document is called "A Glossary of 864 Valve Terms". This may be the most comprehensive valve glossary we've ever seen. We hope you find it useful.


The Flowserve Valtek MaxFlo 4 Eccentric Rotary Plug Control Valve

The Flowserve Valtek MaxFlo 4 control valve is a high performance eccentric rotary plug valve designed for the process industry. It features a large capacity, standard hardened trim and superior shaft blow-out protection. This valve is available in sizes 1 through 12 inches, ASME Class 150, 300 and 600 as well as DIN PN 10, PN16, PN 25, PN40 and PN63.

An optional ISA 75.08.01 or DIN EN 558 series 1 long-pattern body makes this valve an easy drop-in replacement for a globe control valve.

Schneider Electric Foxboro Pressure Transmitter Models 05S/10S/50S


Available in absolute pressure, differential pressure and gauge pressure, the new Schneider Electric Foxboro Models 05S/10S/50S pressure transmitters are designed to make your process more profitable by giving you the opportunity to select your transmitter at the best ratio of performance/price for your application.

Innovative FoxCal™ technology, accuracy expressed as a percentage of reading, 400:1 turndown, Safety SIL2 certification, are some of the exceptional features in the 05S/10S/50S family.
For more information, contact:

Swanson Flo
https://swansonflo.com
800-288-7926

Types of Electrical Connectors Used for Hamilton Process Analytics Sensors

VP – This is a common connector used throughout the Hamilton sensor product line. VP is abbreviation for “VarioPin”. The VP designation often includes a number referring to the number of exposed poles on connector head. Example VP6 = 6 pole.





K8 connectors are typically used on pH / ORP sensors which lack temperature compensation. These connectors have a two pole design comprised of the center core and outer metallic threaded connection.




S7 & S8 – S7 and S8 connectors are typically found on sensors which no temperature compensation. They are the same basic design however S8 connectors have PG13.5 mounting threads, while S7 connectors do not. These connectors are recessed thus care must be taken to avoid moisture getting trapped which could lead to a short circuit.




M12 - Metallic threaded M12 connectors are found on Dissolved Oxygen Sensors and Cell Density products. M12 adapters have either 4 or 8 poles hidden within the socket. Since the poles are recessed avoid getting moisture inside the connection.





T82 – The T82 connector is sometimes known as a D4 connector. It uses a twist lock design to secure the cable to the sensor. These connectors are less common.





Memosens – These inductive electrical connectors are only found on digital pH sensors using Memosens technology. They use a twist lock design to affix the cable. There are no exposed metallic
connections on Memosens connectors.


For more information on Hamilton ProcessAnalytics contact Swanson Flo.
https://swansonflo.com
800-288-7926

A Visual Understanding of Steam Induced Water Hammer


When improperly drained of condensate in a high pressure steam main fills with condensate and completely surrounds the steam, an implosion takes place causing devastating water hammer.

Draining condensate and keeping it away from the steam by using proper steam trapping equipment will prevent this from happening.

The following video, courtesy of TLV, dramatically demonstrates the principle behind water hammer and its potentially devastating effects.

Swanson Flo
https://swansonflo.com
800-288-7926

Flowserve Valves - Kammer Control Valves

Kammer Control ValvesFLOWSERVE Kämmer manufactures special application and general service control valves and actuators, which are used extensively in the chemical, petrochemical, power, petroleum, pulp & paper, pharmaceutical, food processing and cryogenic industries.

FLOWSERVE Kämmer pneumatic actuators are widely known for their versatile diaphragm design, easy installation and simplified maintenance. When compared to other manufacturers’ diaphragm actuator designs, Kämmer actuators have much higher thrust capabilities, feature a very compact design and are lighter in weight. They also feature a field reversible design that requires no additional parts.

Download the Kammer Control Valve Product Profile Here

Mounting the Logix 3800 Digital Positioner on the Valtek Mark One Linear Control Valve


Compatible with linear and rotary valves and actuators, the Logix 3800 digital positioner offers industry-leading embedded measurement, data reduction and diagnostic functionalities. It  features powerful diagnostics that identify field problems and expedite corrective actions to ensure reduced return-to-operation times.

The Valtek Mark One globe control valve offers superior performance in liquid and gaseous services, while also permitting easy, fast and inexpensive maintenance.

This video details how to mount the Logix 3800 positioner on the Mark One valve.

For more information about Flowserve valve and valve automation products, contact Swanson Flo by calling 800-288-7926 or visit their website at https://swansonflo.com.

Understanding Cavitation in Valves

Download the Flowserve Cavitation document here.

According to Wikipedia, "Cavitation is the formation of vapor cavities in a liquid, small liquid-free zones ("bubbles" or "voids"), that are the consequence of forces acting upon the liquid. It usually occurs when a liquid is subjected to rapid changes of pressure that cause the formation of cavities in the liquid where the pressure is relatively low. When subjected to higher pressure, the voids implode and can generate an intense shock wave."

Cavitation presents serious concerns to engineers and specifiers of  control valves. Understanding ways to mitigate cavitation is important. Flowserve has put together this excellent document on understanding cavitation and offers solutions on reducing or eliminating its effects.

Comprehensive Steam in Place (SIP) Whitepaper Available

Steriflow, a manufacturer of high purity control valves, pressure regulators, piping specialties, and steam specialties has authored a comprehensive overview of SIP, including existing components, piping design, and the new technology used to reduce common problem occurrences.

What are the rules and common piping practices employed to ensure that steam sterilization occurs on time without fail? What are SIP temperature validation alarms, or faults? Why do they occur? How does thermostatic steam trap operation affect the occurrence of temperature validation faults? What new technologies are available to mitigate common SIP problems? Specific answers to these questions will be covered in this white paper.

Get your copy of the "Steam in Place (SIP)" whitepaper here.

Table of Contents:
  • What Is SIP?
  • Fundamentals Of Process Equipment Steam Sterilization
  • Sanitary Balanced Port Thermostatic Steam Trap Operation
  • Validation Temperature Alarms Caused By High Subcooling Trap Operation
  • Problem Remediation
  • What Is A Sanitary Subcooled Condenser?
  • The SSC Series Explained Special SIP Applications For Large Vessels
  • Special SIP Applications: Conventional SIP Process Design For Larger Vessels
  • Special SIP Applications: Problems With Conventionally Designed SIP Drains For Large Vessels
  • Special SIP Applications: New Solution For SIP Design For Larger Vessels
Swanson Flo
800-288-7926 

Differential Pressure Gauge Designed for Harsh Environments

Ashcroft F5509/F6509
Ashcroft F5509/F6509
The Ashcroft F5509/F6509 differential pressure gauges are used for monitoring differential pressure between two separate pressure sources. Designed for harsh environments, these models provide high reliability and safety. A perfect solution for challenging application and installation requirements.

The F5509/F6509 differential gauges are ideal where safe and reliable pressure measurement is essential:

Process Control Markets:
  • Refineries 
  • Chemical and Petrochemical Plants
  • Water and Wastewater Pressure Control
  • Mining and Metals
  • Filter, Level and Flow Measurement
For more information about any Ashcroft product, contact Swanson Flo by calling 800-288-7926 or by visiting https://swansonflo.com.

Full Service Valve Automation


From simple pneumatically or electrically actuated valves, to fully automated critical valve systems, Swanson Flo delivers tested, certified, and extremely reliable product every time. Actuated valve assemblies precisely engineered for the best fit, highest performance, and optimal life.

With decades of combined experience and knowledge, Swanson Flo technicians match state-of-art components with best-in-class manufacturers and deliver carefully crafted valve packages.

Swanson Flo customers always receive the highest quality and best value possible. Their strong reputation was built upon:
  • The largest, most comprehensive facility in the Midwest.
  • In-house capabilities for all electric, pneumatic and electro-hydraulic actuators.
  • Experienced design engineering and fabrication.
  • Support for assembly of all valve, actuator, monitor and positioner technologies.
  • Complete solution for testing and serialization.
800-288-7926

The Basics of Control Valve Actuators

Flowserve Valtek Control Valve
Control Valve
(Flowserve Valtek)
Understanding control valve operation is very important to for anyone considering a career in process engineering, in plant maintenance, or process design engineering.

Control valve actuators control fluid in a pipe by varying the orifice size through which the fluid flows. Control valves contain two major components: the valve body and the valve actuator. The valve body provides the fluid connections and a movable restrictor comprised of a valve stem and plug that is in contact with the fluid that varies the flow. The valve actuator is the component that physically moves the restrictor to vary the fluid flow.

The video below introduces the viewer to basic control valve operation concepts and the basic types of actuators.

Worcester Controls Valve and Actuator Product Catalog

Here is a new Product Catalog for Flowserve Worcester Control industrial ball valves, pneumatic actuators and electric actuators, courtesy of Swanson Flo.  These include standard flanged ball valves, ANSI and DIN specifications in reduced and full bore, three-piece valves for cryogenic, high pressure, steam, diverter or sampling duty, high integrity valves, multi-way designs, modulating controls or customized solutions.

Process Instrumentation for the Chemical Industry

Process Instrumentation for the Chemical Industry
Process Instrumentation for the Chemical Industry (Foxboro - Schneider Electric)
From petrochemicals to agrochemicals, industrial gases to plastics, pigments, and more, the industry that manufactures, processes, transports, and stores thousands of hazardous materials every day requires one thing above all – absolute confidence in the quality, reliability, accuracy, and safety of the devices entrusted with controlling some of the most complex, pressurized, and volatile processes known.

Foxboro’s complete line of robust, field-proven instrumentation provides measurement solutions for temperature, pressure, flow, process analysis, level, and data acquisition. Additionally, our line of valve positioners offers the highest accuracy in the industry.

You may download a PDF version of the Foxboro "Process Instrumentation for the Chemical Industry" brochure here, or view the embedded document below. For more information on Foxboro instrumentation contact Swanson Flo by visiting https://swansonflo.com or by calling 800-288-7926.

What Are Cryogenic Ball Valves?

Cryogenic Ball Valve
Cryogenic Ball Valve (Flowserve Worcester)
Cryogenic ball valves are high-performance shutoff valves for intermittent and continuous flow applications with temperatures to -425°F. They are used on tough applications involving all types of cryogens, such as oxygen, hydrogen, methane, ammonia, nitrogen, fluorine, LNG and deuterium.

Cryogenic ball valves include unique features to ensure safety and performance in cryogenic applications. Central to the cryogenic design is a rugged, one-piece, pressure safe stem with a Polyfill thrust bearing and stainless steel split ring. It provides design safety and low operational torque. Polyfill seats give you tight shutoff throughout the temperature range. With an orientation-controlled stem/ball connection and an upstream hole in the ball, you get positive overpressure protection.

Summary of specialized design features:
Brass Cryogenic Ball Valve
Brass Cryogenic Ball Valve
(Flowserve Worcester)
  • Positive Ball Cavity Relief – An upstream relief hole in the ball prevents dangerous overpressure due to thermal expansion. On extended stem valves through 2", a one-piece stem with alignment pin assures proper orientation of the ball.
  • Pressure Safe Stem – Both one-piece and two-piece, assembled inside-the-body stems are safe from blowout and are supported with Polyfill® thrust washers.
  • Zero Leak Packing – Belleville live-loaded TFE packing rings and stem centering followers assure zero leakage through the toughest, high-cycle applications.
  • Effective Bonnet Extensions – The stem extensions of cryogenic valves conform to standard industrial practices. That means wall thickness and lengths that keep heat transfer down, the packing frost-free, operational torques low, and actuators solidly supported.
  • High-Performance/Low-Thermal Stress – The special “part compatibility” design of valve parts, Polyfill seats and body seals assure tight shutoff, zero body leakage and low torque through large thermal excursions from ambient to -425°F.
Cryogenic valves are normally available in four body configuration, in either stainless steel or brass:
  1. Three-piece construction - makes it easy to install, versatile in application and simple to maintain.
  2. The cryogenic diverter valve - accepts media through the bottom inlet port and directs it to one of two side ports.
  3. The wafer design - a flangeless cryogenic valve that mounts between ANSI Class 150 or 300 flanges.
  4. A flanged design - has a body cast with ANSI Class 150 flanges.
Application for cryogenic ball valves:
  • Over-the-Road LNG-LPG Trailers
  • Terminal Unloading Stations
  • High-Purity Cryogenic/Gas Systems
  • LNG Storage and Distribution
  • CO2 and Nitrogen Injection for Enhanced Oil Recovery
  • Over-the-Road CO2, LNG, Food Carriers
  • Petroleum Refining Unleaded Gasoline (Gas Treatment Skids)
  • Lyophilization Systems
  • Air Separation Plants
  • Liquid and Gaseous Oxygen
  • Inerting and Heat Treatment
For more information on cryogenic ball valves, contact Swanson Flo by visiting https://swansonflo.com or by calling 800-288-7926.

What Are Valve Positioners?

Digital Positioner
Digital Positioner (Valtek)
A valve positioner is used in combination with a valve actuator to precisely position a valve so that optimum flow accuracy may be achieved. The positioner does this by measuring a the process variable, comparing it to a desired condition (set point) and then pneumatically, electrically, or hydraulically changing the valve disc, globe, plug or ball position until the difference between the set point and actual position is zero.

Valve positioners are key elements in a closed loop control system where the final control element is a valve. They assist in maintaining tight control, overcoming the realities of imprecise calibration, differential pressure across the valve, valve wear and a host of other process control challenges.

A valve positioner responds to a signal from some type of master control system, typically a distributed control system (DCS), a programmable logic controller (PLC), or PID controller. The control system reads a signal from a process sensor (flowmeter, temperature sensor, pressure sensor, etc...) and compares that reading to the desired setpoint. A corrective signal, based on the difference,  is provided to the valve positioner which re-adjusts (if necessary) the valve position to bring the system in to equilibrium.

Valve positioners are available with pneumatic, electrical, electro-pneumatic, and digital operation. Here is a brief description of each:

Pneumatic
Pneumatic Positioner
Pneumatic Positioner (Valtek)
Pneumatic positioners receive pneumatic signals (3-15 or 6-30 PSIG). The positioner then throttles supply air to the valve actuator to move the valve to the required position. Pneumatic positioners are intrinsically safe and can provide a large amount of force to close a valve.

Electric
Electric valve positioners receive an electric signal, usually 4-20 mA, 1-5 VDC, 2-10 VCD or 0-10 VDC and generally drive the motors in electric actuators. They perform the same function as pneumatic positioners do, but use electricity instead of air pressure as an input signal.

Electro-Pneumatic
Electro-pneumatic Positioner
(PMV)
Electro-pneumatic valve positioners contain internal I/P (current to pneumatic) modules that converts the electrical input signal to a pneumatic output (4-20 mA to 3-15 PSIG for instance). Very similar to a pneumatic positioner except that its input is electrical.

Valve positioners are used throughout the process industries including power, pharmaceutical, chemicals, oil and gas, food and beverage, pulp and paper, refining and petrochemicals, pipelines, and many other processes.

For more information on valve positioners, contact Swanson Flo by visiting https://swansonflo.com or by calling 800-288-7926.

Properties of Fluids: The Basics


This video introduces the viewer to basic fluid properties such as viscosity, viscosity index, compressibility, cleanliness, filtration and additives. These basics apply throughout process control, from flow instrumentation to valve automation.

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.

https://swansonflow.com
800-288-792

Limitorque Pneumatic Compact Scotch Yoke Actuator Model LPC

Limitorque Pneumatic Compact (LPC)
The Limitorque Pneumatic Compact (LPC) range is a robust, lightweight, modular Scotch yoke design available in both spring return and double acting configurations. It is suitable for actuating ball, butterfly and plug valves or any other quarter-turn application.

LPC compact actuators deliver up to 5500 Nm (4057 ft-lb) of precisely controlled torque. The LPC product range is complementary to the Limitorque LPS heavy-duty pneumatic Scotch yoke actuators.

A similar design philosophy to the heavy-duty LPS was applied to the new LPC range, delivering enhanced performance and high reliability. The LPC is available in standard as well as special material configurations upon request.

For more information, review the embedded document below, or you can download a PDF version of "Limitorque Model LPC Pneumatic Compact Scotch Yoke Actuator" here.

Vortex Flowmeters by Schneider Electric / Foxboro

Foxboro Vortex Flowmeters in field
Schneider Electric / Foxboro Vortex flowmeters in field.
Foxboro flowmeters set industry standards in applications requiring accuracy for totalizing and batching in utility metering of fluids. They are ideal for applications within upstream and downstream oil and gas industries, specifically on high-pressure pipeline applications.

Foxboro Vortex Flowmeters
Vortex flowmeter.
Foxboro flowmeters are the highest performing flowmeters on the market, with best-in-class sensing technology. No other competitor's meter can measure accuracy and liquid gas or steam for temperatures up to 800 degrees Fahrenheit. These instruments are designed to be flexible and reliable in harsh process environments. Foxboro vortex flowmeters have unique vortex sensing, with a lifetime warranty, patented algorithms that improve performance and real-world applications. A broad offering of sizes, material, and end connections with the widest flow range available today. Ease of configuration using FTD technology and no moving parts ensures low operating and maintenance costs.

Foxboro vortex transmitters have an on-board LCD indicator configurator for local configuration, and are equipped with Foxboro's patented DirectSense technology, which incorporates the sensor directly into the flow stream to maximize the vortex pull strength. This results in wider rangeability, greater noise immunity, along with unmatched sensitivity. With the Foxboro vortex flowmeter you achieve reliability, repeatability, and a measurement you can trust.
LCD indicator
LCD indicator

For more information on Schneider Electric / Foxboro vortex flowmeters please visit Swanson Flo at https://swansonflow.com or by calling 800-288-7926.

A Process Industry Stalwart - The Plug Valve

Flowserve Durco lubricated plug valve
Lubricated plug valve.
(Flowserve Durco)
This article will focus on one of the oldest and most reliable (when properly applied) industrial valve types - the plug valve.

Fluid process control operations commonly employ pumps, piping, tanks and valves as the means of transporting, containing and controlling the fluid movement through a system.

Valves, of which there are many types, provide control over the flow rate, direction and routing of fluids in a processing operation. Flow can be started, stopped or modulated between zero and full rate using a properly sized and configured valve. Some valves enable media flow to be diverted to a selection of outlets, in lieu of a single inlet and outlet pair. Specialized valves regulate inlet or outlet pressure, or prevent fluid flow from going in an undesirable direction. All of these capabilities are packaged into differing valve product offerings that present a very large selection array to a process designer or engineer.

Floserve Durco non-lubricated plug valve
Non-lubricated plug valve.
(Flowserve Durco)
Industrial flow control valve types are generally classified according to the structure or arrangement contained within the valve body that provides obstruction to fluid flow. Some of the common types are ball, butterfly, gate, globe, and plug. Surely, there are more valve types, and this article is not intended to list them all. Some of our previous blogs have discussed selection considerations for gate, ball and butterfly valves.

Plug valves, like ball and butterfly valves, span from fully open to fully closed positions with a shaft rotation of 90 degrees. The “plug” in a plug valve is installed in the flow path within the valve body and rotated by means of a stem or shaft extending to the exterior of the body. Plugs are tapered toward the bottom and are fitted to a seating surface in the valve body cavity that prevents fluid from bypassing the plug. An opening through the plug, the port, can be shaped to provide particular flow characteristics. There are two main types of basic plug, lubricated and non-lubricated. Lubricated plug valves have a cavity into which a sealant is injected. The sealant provides a renewable seal between the plug and the body, prevents internal leakage, and protects the seating surfaces against corrosion. Non-lubricated plug valves utilize an elastomeric body liner or a sleeve in the body cavity that is pressed in to the body of the valve by the plug's wedge-like shape,  with the result of reducing the friction between the plug and the body.

Plug valve considerations:
  • 90 degree rotation from open to closed provides fast operation.
  • With proper configuration, can be well suited for frequent operation.
  • Availability of corrosion resistant liner may provide comparative cost savings because valve body can be constructed of less expensive material.
  • Design is simple and employs a low parts count.
  • Valve can be serviced in place.
  • Generally, low resistance to flow when fully open.
  • Reliable leak-tight service due to tapered plug wedging action, replaceable sleeve, and injection of lubricant in some variants.
  • Potential issues of concern for plug valve application include a short list of items.
  • Higher friction in the plug closure mechanism may require comparatively higher operating torque than other valve types.
  • Without a specially designed plug, generally not well suited for throttling applications.
  • Rapid shutoff delivered by plug design may not be suitable for some applications where hammering may occur.
Share your fluid control application challenges with a valve and automation specialist. Leverage your own knowledge and experience with their product application expertise to develop an effective solution.