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.
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.
Showing posts with label Wyoming. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wyoming. Show all posts
Your Partner for Process Control Automation: Swanson Flo
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.
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.
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Ashcroft Awards Swanson Flo Coveted "Distributor of Distinction Award"
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.
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.
The Advantages of the Sliding Gate Control Valve Seat in Process Control
Sliding Gate Control Valve Seat (Jordan) |
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
- Straight-through flow pattern reduces turbulence, noise, erosion, valve chatter, and cavitation
- 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.
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Continuous Non-contact Level Measurement for Process Control
LLT 100 Laser Level Transmitter |
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.
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Protect Your Instrumentation with Diaphragm Seals
Flanged diaphragm seal (Ashcroft) |
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. |
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.
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Measurement and Control Instruments for the Power Industry
Coal fired power plant. |
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.
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Flowserve Valtek Valve Automation
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.
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.
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Swanson Flo Valve Automation Services
42 inch electrically (Limitorque) actuated butterfly valve. |
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.
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Swanson Flo Performance Brochure
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.
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Understanding Motor Operated Valves (MOV) in Industry
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.
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.
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Understanding Control Valves: The Flowserve Valtek Mark One
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.
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.
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Virtual Tour of Swanson Flo Illinois
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.
For more information, visit Swanson Flo at http://www.swansonflo.com or call 800-288-7926.
The video below provides a virtual tour of our new Addison, Illinois warehouse, instrument calibration lab, and valve automation center.
For more information, visit Swanson Flo at http://www.swansonflo.com or call 800-288-7926.
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Rupture Discs Are Designed to Fail. That's Their Job.
Rupture disc and holder (courtesy of Continental Disc) |
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.
For more on rupture disc's call Swanson Flo at 800-288-7926 or visit http://www.swansonflo.com.
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Instrumentation Isolation Rings for Harsh, Viscous, and Sticky Pressure Applications
Isolation ring installed view (courtesy of Ashcroft) |
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.
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Magnetic Level Gauge Design and Operation
Magnetic Level Gauge (ABB / K-TEK) |
- 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.
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