Swanson Flo: The Low Flow Experts

It's challenging to apply low-flow meters and control valves to monitor and control extremely low flow rates. Many industries depend on low-flow measurement and control to maintain correct liquid flow rates in batching, water separation, paint circulation, fuel metering, and chemical injection operations. 

Low-flow meters are used in chemical injection systems to determine the correct quantity of chemicals delivered to a process. Chemical dosage accuracy is crucial for efficiency and production. Adding too much chemical leads to increased expenses, while underdosing may result in premature maintenance and poor process outcomes.

Because of the modest, incremental liquid flow measurement, low-flow measurement brings about unique issues. Users must be aware of potential factors that might impair flowmeter performance and longevity, such as noise, vibration, resolution, accuracy, blockage, leakage, K factor, and pressure, and how to deal with them. Swanson Flo, fortunately, offers expertise and a wide range of low-flow meters and control valves. 

Low-flow valves and controls are essential for guaranteeing cost-effective and efficient process operation. Swanson Flo Sales Engineers have years of experience dealing with the most challenging low-flow applications. To discuss your low flow demand, please contact Swanson now using the form below or by calling 800-288-7926.

Swanson Flo

https://swansonflo.com

800-288-7926

Actuators and Valve Automation

Industrial valves manage flow in pipelines and industrial facilities. The valve acts as a tap, controlling the pipeline flow by opening or shutting it. Automation of a valve involves installing an actuator and control system. Powering actuators may be done by hand, electricity, pneumatics, or hydraulic. Automating valves is beneficial for flow management in pipe systems that need precise control or fail-safe emergency cutoff. Improved output control through automated valves contributes to cost savings associated with product waste. Automated valves operate in all industrial settings, including wastewater treatment facilities, power plants, mines, nuclear operations, food and beverage companies, refineries, and pipelines.

Actuated valves contribute to operator safety by enabling constant operating levels and ensuring safety in areas where high temperatures, pressure levels, unpleasant or dangerous odors, combustible materials, or other conditions might result in catastrophic failures. In an emergency, automatic valve actuators return to their fail-safe settings, avoiding accidents, environment pollution, equipment or building damage, and other devastating outcomes. 

Additionally, automated valves enable remote access to valves that are difficult or impossible to reach securely to restore them to a safe position manually.

TYPES OF VALVE ACTUATORS

Manual valves are manipulated by hand, utilizing handwheels, levers, and gears. Although less costly and easier to use than other solutions, this isn't always practical or desirable. Larger valves need tremendous force to operate manually, and some are in isolated or dangerous locations. It might also be a safety hazard if the valve has to be closed quickly. 

Pneumatic valve actuators get their power from air pressure or another gas. Their simple design requires less maintenance and is a good fit in temperature extremes situations. 

Hydraulic actuators, like pneumatic actuators, translate fluid pressure into motion. In this case, the motive force comes from hydraulic fluids. They can generate forces larger than a pneumatic actuator of the same size. In some instances, the process fluid itself might supply the hydraulic pressure. 

The electric actuator uses motor torque to activate the valve. Electric actuators are also silent, non-toxic, and energy-efficient. Their opening and closing times are relatively slow and unsuitable for high-speed position change applications. 

Valve automation has made significant strides in recent years, with the addition of application-specific standards, certifications, safety integrity level (SIL), and digital protocols. Intelligent and digital valve positioners now include a digital communication protocol and advanced capabilities. Advances in device diagnostics are critical because they enable the move from conventional corrective and scheduled maintenance to predictive maintenance. Diagnostics using valve positioners are becoming more complex, allowing for the testing of valves to identify whether maintenance or replacement is necessary.

Valve actuators are essential in process automation. Valve automation enables firms of all types to continuously increase process efficiency and product quality while ensuring the safety of employees, facilities, and the environment. The current generation of valve automation technology allows industrial enterprises to conduct additional diagnostics on-site and better understand overall valve performance at a lower cost. Automated valve applications must include oversite by a competent and experienced valve professional who can advise on the best technology and crucial installation techniques for optimal results.

For more information, or to discuss your valve automation requirement, contact:

Swanson Flo

https://swansonflo.com

800-288-7926

Demonstration of Ultra Low Flow Control Loop Combining the Equilibar Precision Valve and the Bronkhorst Mini CORI-FLOW™ Meter

This video shows an ultra-low flow control closed-loop incorporating the Equilibar precision flow control valve with the Bronkhorst mini CORI-FLOW™ series and built-in PID software. The flow rate is adjustable from 0 to 1000 ml/hour, and the system controls flow at a rate of less than one cc per minute.

The mini CORI-FLOW™ sends a 0 to 5 VDC drive signal to an Equilibar QPV electronic pressure regulator, which converts the signal to a pilot pressure for the Equilibar FDO4 valve. The CORI-FLOW monitors the flow rate with its built-in Coriolis flow sensor. The internal PID loop adjusts the signal to the electronic pressure regulator, adjusting the pilot pressure to the FDO4 control valve and changing the flow rate.

The CORI-FLOW™ flowmeter integrates the control software, and a PC or PLC is not required (one shown in the video for demonstration purposes.) The CORI-FLOW™ connects via the Bronkhorst DDE and FlowPlot software (available as a download) to view the live data on the laptop screen. FlowPlot allows the user to adjust the PID control loop and modify various other loop parameters. 

This demonstration uses a calibration of 0 to 1 liter per hour full scale. By leveraging the wide turndown ratio of the Equilibar FDO4 sanitary flow control valve, this setup allows for well over 100:1 flow turndown ratio. This control system is excellent for product blending or mixing applications or injection into bioreactors in biopharmaceutical process applications.

Related links:

https://swansonflo.com/article_229_Equilibar.cfm

https://swansonflo.com/article_189_Bronkhorst.cfm

https://www.equilibar.com/product/electronic-pressure-regulators/qpv-electronic-pressure-regulator/

https://www.equilibar.com/product/back-pressure-regulators/fdo4-sanitary-back-pressure-regulator/

https://www.bronkhorst.com/en-us/products-en/liquid-flow/mini-cori-flow/

For more information about low flow and ultra-low flow control applications, contact Swanson Flo. Call 800-288-7926 or visit https://swansonflo.com.

Fractional Flow Control Valves from Swanson Flo

For Critical Fractional Flow Control of Liquid, Gas, or Steam

LowFlow control valves have applications in OEM, laboratory, and pilot plant applications. Installations such as these frequently require valve trim changes to meet varying flow requirements for a given application. Monel,  Hastelloy, Alloy 20, Titanium, Kynar, and Inconel are just a few of the materials LowFlow offers to address your material compatibility challenges.

LowFlow control valves require no special tools for trim changes. Their bolted body design means you don’t even have to take the valve out of line for trim changes or maintenance.

LowFlow Valve provides products across an incredibly diverse range of industries and applications, from operating in cryogenic applications down to -425°F (-254°C)  to temperatures above 1000°F (538°C).

The Mark 708 valve provides accurate control on fractional flow applications. It is a complete line of pneumatic and electrically actuated control valves designed to enhance performance to ensure precision control on your most critical microflow applications. 

Swanson Flo is your low flow control valve and instrumentation expert. Call us with any challenging low flow application, and our engineers will be pleased to assist you. Call 800-288-7926 or visit https://swansonflo.com.

Happy Holidays from Swanson Flo

Gas Flow Measurement & Control - Aeration Applications

Many processes include gas flow measurement and control. Gas flow meters are standard in laboratories, machinery, industry, hazardous areas, and various markets, including the analytical market, the chemical industry, renewable energy, the semiconductor industry, the food and beverage industry, and surface treatment. 

Applications for Aeration 

Aeration is when air, oxygen, carbon dioxide, or other gases circulate, mix, or dissolve in a liquid or substance. 

Aeration applications are typical in food and beverage markets, wastewater treatment, fish tanks, and fish farms. Controlling oxygen levels in beer brewing and winemaking, for example, allows fermentation. Milk, sparkling water, and other carbonated beverages, such as cola require a throughflow of gases to remove odors or add CO2. Industrial gas flow control, similar to air pumps in a fish aquarium, is used to aerate ponds to grow fish or algae. 

Gas Flow Aeration Markets:

• Winemaking and beer brewing 
• Production of carbonated beverages 
• Fermenters and bioreactors 
• Treatment of wastewater 
• Farms for fish and algae 

Why Bronkhorst? 

• Robustness
• High repeatability
• Easy to check actual gas flow
• Gas consumption monitoring
• Ingress protection class IP65 rugged and waterproof housing

Bronkhorst provides mass flow meters and controllers with capacities of up to 5000 ln/min Air equivalent.  In aeration applications, up to 50% of MASS-STREAM flow measurement and control instruments include a multi-functional display that provides various additional options. 

Bronkhorst is a company that specializes in gas flow measurement and control instruments.

For more information about Bronkhorst products in North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota contact Swanson Flo. Call 800-288-7926 or visit https://swansonflo.com.

New Product Alert: The Jordan Valve Mark 75A

Jordan Valve Introduces the Mark 75A Wafer Style Control Valve

Jordan Valve designed the Mark 75A as the next generation of control valves with its modular, stackable actuator. The Mark 75A incorporates a modular, stackable actuator to reduce weight and footprint dimensions further while providing additional torque and all of the benefits of the time-tested Sliding Gate seat design in a lightweight, compact body. The Mark 75A, which is available in 1" through 6" (DN25 - DN150") sizes, is a high-value solution used in a variety of applications.

DOWNLOAD THE MARK 75A DATA SHEET HERE

Mark 75A Advantage: An Actuator with Modularity and Stackability 

The new actuator design has an effective diaphragm area of 25 square inches per module and can be stacked to increase the total effective area to 50 or 75 square inches. The use of aluminum in the construction ensures a lightweight automated package.

Mark 75A Advantage: Less Weight 

The Mark 75A has a significant weight advantage over other valve designs. A 4" Mark 75A with a 75M actuator weighs 27 lbs. Because of the lightweight and reduced envelope dimensions, transportation, installation, and support costs are lower.

For more information about the Mark 75A in Wisconsin, Indiana, Minnesota, South Dakota and North Dakota, contact Swanson Flo. Call them at 800-288-7926 or visit https://swansonflo.com.