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.
The new Sage Paramount™ Industrial Thermal Mass Flow Meter provides state-of-the-art components, a dual-sided, explosion-proof, NEMA 4X enclosure, a fast response to rapid temperature fluctuations, and a well-thought-out terminal arrangement with a 3-way switch for externally or internally isolating the 4-20 mA or for non-isolated, self-powered operation.
One of the most compelling features of the Paramount™ is its accompanying free software, SageCom™. The SageCom™ software effortlessly connects the Sage Paramount to your PC via a separate mini USB connector1 (cable supplied) located within the back terminal enclosure. This connector is independent of the normal Modbus communication channel allowing validation or reconfigurability of your Paramount, even while it’s standard Modbus output is connected to a network of additional Paramount meters going to the SCADA system.
Swanson Flo is pleased to partner with Megawatt Machine Services (MMS). MMS has developed industry leading expertise in severe-service control valve repair and replacement parts. Their state-of-the-art capabilities can meet your needs for replacement trim and valve repair on all brands of AOV and MOV valves including:
Valtek®
Fisher®
CCI-Drag®
BTG/Sulzer
Copes-Vulcan®
Masoneilan®
Yarway®
Pacific®
Edwards®
Siemens® - Westinghouse®
WEIR/Atwood-Morrill®
GE®
Velan®
ABB/Alstom®
Toshiba®
Anchor-Darling®
MMS can also reverse engineer and manufacture trim parts and rebuild valves when the OEM is no longer in business or parts are obsolete.
For more information on replacement valve parts, valve repairs, or trim upgrades contact Swanson Flo. Call them at call 800-288-7926 or visit them at https://swansonflo.com.
The TFX Ultra transit time ultrasonic meters from Dynasonics / Badger Meter measure volumetric and energy flow of clean liquids, as well as those with small amounts of suspended solids or aeration, such as surface water or sewage. It works by transmitting ultrasonic waves from outside the pipe into the liquid and propagate upstream and downstream. The flow velocity is determined by the difference in the time of flight and is used to calculate the volumetric flow.
For more information, contact Swanson Flo. Visit their website at https://swansonflo.com or call 800.288.7926.
TLV Consulting and Engineering Services constructed a clear piping system to visualize the complex bi-phase flow within a steam condensate return system to determine if water hammer can be reduced or eliminated in certain less-than-ideal piping configurations. Sometimes, condensate returns are incorrectly considered to be single-phase flow, but in reality the pipe volume can be primarily filled with flash steam. This creates a two-phase flow condition that presents challenges to the desired action of gravity drainage. Elevation changes in 2 phase condensate return lines are particularly prone to creating condensate backup which can lead to damaging water hammer. The damage can be particularly severe due to the magnitude of condensate mass present as the pipe size increases in diameter.
Two scenarios are examined. First is a commonly seen piping installation of flashing condensate with a vertical rise. Wave action can be seen in the top pipe. It is caused by high velocity steam moving over the surface of the liquid gradually forming waves within the pipe. When the wave grows large enough, it momentarily seals the cross section of the pipe, building a pressure wall behind it. This causes a slug of water to be sent down the line, potentially causing serious damage to piping, valves, gaskets or fittings.
Additionally, in a flashing condensate line, the vapor space is occupied by low energy flash steam which can collapse and generate hammer as condensate rushes into fill the void. In this video, the vapor is non-condensing air, so the violent back slam of condensate filling an instantaneous void is eliminated for safety purposes. The second video introduces a non-ideal method incorporating a drop down loop seal (or DDLS)to help mitigate some water hammer effects. The ideal solution is always to incorporate gravity drainage in the flashing condensate return system design. However, when gravity drainage was not accomplished during the original design, the DDLS may reduce hammer and can be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by a professional engineer for suitability and safe operation. Notice the less violent flow draining into the loop where the wave action was occurring in the upper pipe.
This piping configuration minimizes the length of pipe where surging can occur and reduces the mass of potential water slugs. The result can be smoother flow with lessened water hammer. Although the DDLS is demonstrated using a loop with horizontal piping to enable visualization of the vapor/liquid interface promoting upward flow, it is considered that joining two long radius elbows with no horizontal section between them could further reduce hammer.
For more information about proper steam or condensate system design, contact Swanson Flo. Call them at 800-288-7926 or visit their website at https://swansonflo.com.
This device is a non-contact radar level transmitter that uses FMCW technology. It measures distance, level and volume of liquids and pastes. It has an empty spectrum function that filters false reflections caused by equipment inside the tank.
LR75 Free Space Radar
80 GHz FMCW technology
cQPSus XP
4 -20mA /HART® 7
1/2" NPT Cable Entry
Backlit Display
(-14.5..580 psig) I (-40 deg F to +302 F) / FKM/FPM Process Seal
Radar level transmitters provide non-contact level measurement. All radar level detectors send microwave beams, emitted from a sensor, to the surface of the liquid in a tank. The electromagnetic waves returns back to the sensor after hitting the surface of the fluid. Radar is the preferred technology for level measurement in many of today’s industrial applications. Newer high-frequency technology (80 GHz) offers advantages in certain application to older low (10 GHz) and mid-frequency (24 GHz) technologies. Selecting the best microwave frequency for your application is crucial. In as much, understanding the relationship between frequency and beam angle is very important.
In this video, Jeff Blair, Offer Manager for level products at Schneider Electric, presents the difference in beam angle at various frequencies. He also demonstrates how to use Beam Angle Calculators to determine beam width at various places in a tank or vessel.
For more information about radar level instrumentation, contact Swanson Flo. Call them at 800-288-7926 or visit their website at https://swansonflo.com.
We at Swanson Flo Company continue to navigate the ever changing COVID-19 pandemic. We are closely monitoring and following the guidance available through the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and state and regional public health authorities. We are committed to keeping the safety of our customers, business partners, and team members at the center of all our decisions and actions.
Securing our supply chain is a priority for us. We are working with all of our key suppliers on a daily basis to monitor any potential supply disruption and /or material shortages that may impact us and you. As of today, we have not recorded any specific disruptions of our upstream supply chain. Shipments to our customers are still flowing and our inventory is considerable.
Swanson Flo is:
Fully Operational - SwansonFlo Company remains open during normal business hours. Our territory managers will still make in-person visits upon request. We are using all available communication techniques to continue to provide excellent customer support.
Continues its Technical Assistance and Support – Our customer service team is able to answer your questions and take orders via phone or email. We will not change our commitment to providing exceptional client services delivered by a team of highly qualified individuals.
Continues its Service Capabilities – Our highly trained service and repair experts are available via phone or in person via request.
The health and welfare of our employees and customers are of top concern. We are committed to taking the steps necessary to provide a safe work environment and to minimize any disruption of service to our valued customers. We will continue to evaluate this developing situation and we will advise you of any anticipated changes to our process. In the meantime, please contact us at (800) 288-7926 or sales@swansonflo.com.
As always, Swanson Flo greatly appreciates your business.
The new Sage Paramount™ Industrial Thermal Mass Flow Meter provides state-of-the-art components, a dual-sided, explosion-proof, NEMA 4X enclosure, a fast response to rapid temperature fluctuations, and a well-thought-out terminal arrangement with a 3-way switch for externally or internally isolating the 4-20 mA or for non-isolated, self-powered operation.
