The ASCO FasN Connection System for the Series 212 Composite Valve: A Tutorial


The ASCO Series 212 composite valve is ideal for use in mid-size reverse osmosis water purification systems used for conditioning and distribution in commercial/ industrial markets. The valves are available in 3/8", 1/2", 3/4", and 1" pipe sizes and handles pressure up to 150 PSI at temperatures up to 180° F.

The ASCO FasN connection system makes installing and servicing the series 212 extremely easy.  The video above is a tutorial on how to install the series 212 using the ASCO FasN system for all three types of connections, namely NPT thread connection, turn and lock, and solvent bond.

For more information, contact Swanson Flo by calling 800-288-7926 or visit their web site at https://swansonflo.com.

Foxboro Schneider Electric Vortex Flow Meters


The Foxboro® intelligent, high performance vortex flowmeter transmits a 4-20 mA or digital multi-drop, and a pulse output signal (as applicable) using HART communication protocol for remote configuration, calibration, and monitoring.

Foxboro vortex flow meters have unique vortex sensing with a lifetime warranty; patented algorithms that improve performance in real-world applications; a broad offering of sizes, materials, and end connections, with the widest flow range available today; ease of configuration using FDT technology, and no moving parts ensures low operating and maintenance costs. They are ideal for applications requiring accuracy for totalizing and batching; utility metering of fluids in the process industries; fuel, air, steam, or gas metering for the measurement of energy in any high use application; or stability and repeatability for process control.

The Foxboro vortex flowmeter is perfect for applications within the upstream and downstream Oil & Gas industries, specifically on high pressure pipeline applications for both gases (and vapors) and liquids.

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

Patented Pressure Gauge Technology Eliminates Need for Liquid Fills

Pulsating gauge
Pulsations caused by compressors and other machinery.
Patented technology by Ashcroft dampen pulsations
without the cost and hassle of liquid-fill.
Compressors pumps and other machinery create pulsation and vibration that can make your pointer unreadable.  Liquid-filled gauges can solve your problem, but they command a higher price.  So to keep costs down, you have to stock both dry and liquid-fill gauges.

In response, Ashcroft developed their patented PLUS!™ Performance technology. Gauges with PLUS!™ Performance employ a unique cartridge that surrounds the pinion with an engineered dampening medium. This viscous compound encapsulates and stabilizes the pinion in order to restrict the overactive pointer motion due to vibration. A throttle screw helps to neutralize pulsation by restricting the flow rate of the pressure medium into the Bourdon tube.


Plus! technology
Pinion is stabilized by a cartridge with viscous compound.
While a standard dry gauge may become indecipherable, both liquid-filled and PLUS!™ Performance gauges continue to provide stable readings.  the liquid fill can leak, be affected by extreme ambient temperatures, and become an environmental hazard when disposed of. Ashcroft's patented PLUS!™ Performance option assures fast and easy readings so you can focus on what matters and standardizing with PLUS!™ Performance helps consolidate your SKUs, and less inventory means lower costs.

For more information, contact Swanson Flo by calling 800-288-7926 or visit their web site at https://swansonflo.com.

The Valtek® Mark Eight™ Y-Pattern Control Valve

Mark Eight Control Valve
The Valtek Mark Eight Control Valve Features
(Click for larger view)
The Valtek® Mark Eight™ control valve is designed with a unique “Y” style globe body that provides higher flow capacities and less process turbulence than conventional globe valves.

Because of its nearly straight-through flow passage, the “Y” style body is less flow restrictive than a normal globe-style body. This permits less pressure to be converted into velocity as the fluid passes through the seat, resulting in a lower valve recovery factor and higher capacity.

Mark Eight’s straight-through design generates less valve and piping turbulence which significantly reduces harmful noise and vibration levels.



Applying Gas Pipeline Block Station Valves


A block valve is used on gas transmission systems to isolate a segment of the main gas pipeline for inspection and maintenance, or for shutdown in the case of a natural disaster or pipeline damage.

The block valve is typically a full-bore, soft seated ball valve to allow for scraping. However, this type of valve cannot be opened against full differential pressure without damage to the valve seats. Therefore, a bypass system is installed around the block valve, and used to balance the pipeline pressure prior to opening. Plug valves should be used in the bypass as they are capable of opening and throttling against full differential pressure without damage.

The Requirement of a Bypass

Let's see what would happen if the block valve, which is a soft seated ball valve, was operated against full differential pressure. As it is initially opened the huge pressure drop across the valve generates high velocity flow carrying fine dust, rust, or scale particles in close proximity of the valve seats. This results in seat damage and a block valve that cannot seal bubble tight once closed.

The Bypass Valve Sequence

To avoid this, a bypass system is utilized to balance the pressure either side of the block valve prior to opening it. With the vent valve closed, bypass valve 1 is opened allowing pressure into the bypass. In this case, a plug valve should be used, as it can be opened against full differential pressure without seat damage. Now bypass valve 2 is slowly opened, gradually building pressure in the downstream section until the pressure either side of the block valve is equalized. A plug valve is also used here capable of throttling the flow without seat damaged. With the pressure now equalized the block valve can be opened safely without the risk of seat damage. The two bypass valves have now done their job and can be closed providing bubble tight shutoff against the main pipeline.

Venting a Pipeline Section

Block stations are also used to vent sections of the pipeline into the atmosphere. This operation would start with all valves in the closed position. Bypass valve 1 is then opened allowing pressure into the bypass station. The vent valve is now slowly opened to release the pipeline pressure. Once again, this is a demanding application opening against full differential pressure, hence a plug valve is used to ensure bubble tight isolation to the atmosphere once closed.

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

US Power Grids, Oil and Gas Industries, and Risk of Hacking

A report released in June, from the security firm Dragos, describes a worrisome development by a hacker group named, “Xenotime” and at least two dangerous oil and gas intrusions and ongoing reconnaissance on United States power grids.

Multiple ICS (Industrial Control Sectors) sectors now face the XENOTIME threat; this means individual verticals – such as oil and gas, manufacturing, or electric – cannot ignore threats to other ICS entities because they are not specifically targeted.


The Dragos researchers have termed this threat proliferation as the world’s most dangerous cyberthreat since an event in 2017 where Xenotime had caused a serious operational outage at a crucial site in the Middle East. 

The fact that concerns cybersecurity experts the most is that this hacking attack was a malware that chose to target the facility safety processes (SIS – safety instrumentation system).

For example, when temperatures in a reactor increase to an unsafe level, an SIS will automatically start a cooling process or immediately close a valve to prevent a safety accident. The SIS safety stems are both hardware and software that combine to protect facilities from life threatening accidents.

At this point, no one is sure who is behind Xenotime. Russia has been connected to one of the critical infrastructure attacks in the Ukraine.  That attack was viewed to be the first hacker related power grid outage.

This is a “Cause for Concern” post that was published by Dragos on June 14, 2019

“While none of the electric utility targeting events has resulted in a known, successful intrusion into victim organizations to date, the persistent attempts, and expansion in scope is cause for definite concern. XENOTIME has successfully compromised several oil and gas environments which demonstrates its ability to do so in other verticals. Specifically, XENOTIME remains one of only four threats (along with ELECTRUM, Sandworm, and the entities responsible for Stuxnet) to execute a deliberate disruptive or destructive attack.

XENOTIME is the only known entity to specifically target safety instrumented systems (SIS) for disruptive or destructive purposes. Electric utility environments are significantly different from oil and gas operations in several aspects, but electric operations still have safety and protection equipment that could be targeted with similar tradecraft. XENOTIME expressing consistent, direct interest in electric utility operations is a cause for deep concern given this adversary’s willingness to compromise process safety – and thus integrity – to fulfill its mission.

XENOTIME’s expansion to another industry vertical is emblematic of an increasingly hostile industrial threat landscape. Most observed XENOTIME activity focuses on initial information gathering and access operations necessary for follow-on ICS intrusion operations. As seen in long-running state-sponsored intrusions into US, UK, and other electric infrastructure, entities are increasingly interested in the fundamentals of ICS operations and displaying all the hallmarks associated with information and access acquisition necessary to conduct future attacks. While Dragos sees no evidence at this time indicating that XENOTIME (or any other activity group, such as ELECTRUM or ALLANITE) is capable of executing a prolonged disruptive or destructive event on electric utility operations, observed activity strongly signals adversary interest in meeting the prerequisites for doing so.”