Safe combustible-dust-explosion isolation
Isolation is essential to protect adjoining system components against the spread of combustible dust explosions. Tanks, silos, dust collectors and other equipment are usually connected by pipelines through which, if an explosion occurs, fire and pressure spread very rapidly. In addition, the intensity of the explosion in connected containers is increased by pressure piling and flame jet ignition. This sequence of events can be prevented by the EXKOP isolation system, consisting of a control panel and one or more quench valves (photo). The integrated elastomer seal within the quench valve closes within a few milliseconds, triggered by a signal from an Explosion Panel, a Q-Rohr, Q-Box, an infrared signal or pressure/temperature sensors. — Rembe Inc., Charlotte, N.C.
More control for this electric valve actuator
This company has increased the versatility of the CK range of modular electric valve actuators with the introduction of the CK Atronik (photo), an intermediate-level integral control option, providing a ready-to-operate actuation solution to meet the standard requirements of many plant specifications. The CK Atronik control module houses a reversing contactor starter with mechanical and electrical interlocking. Connection to a suitable power supply is all that is required for local operation of the actuator. Digital microprocessor-driven functionality delivers reliable motor control for isolating, regulating or modulating valve duties. Integral local-control selectors are provided, together with clear LED status indication of valve open, valve closed, valve moving and alarm. — Rotork plc, Bath, U.K.
NSF lead-free valve family for commercial water applications
This company has introduced a family of NSF lead-free brass valves (photo) designed to handle high loads and strong flowrates in commercial-grade and light-industrial water-distribution applications. Valve styles include pressure reducing, thermostatic balancing and thermostatic mixing. The compact, direct-acting Pressure Reducing Valves (PRV) Type 1319 and 1339 feature excellent control characteristics, even at low flowrates. This patented design, which offers a 416 stainless-steel floating seat and modular construction, allows for a more compact size. The Type 6320 Thermostatic Balancing Valve regulates the flowrate in hot (up to 158°F) water circulating systems by continuously sensing the return water temperature with an integrated thermostat, ensuring consistent system temperature. The Thermostatic Mixing Valves Type 3409 and 3419 accurately deliver tempered water to hot-water-distribution systems. — GF Piping Systems, Irvine, Calif.
This diaphragm valve touts reduced maintenance
The EnviZion valve (photo) has embedded technologies that allow for a more streamlined installation and maintenance process, delivering less downtime, longer preventative maintenance cycles and greater production capacity for manufacturers. An integrated thermal-compensation system provides a constant sealing force, helping to eliminate the effects of thermal cycling. The EnviZion diaphragm can withstand the wear of production cycles and maintains a reliable seal, minimizing the risk of leakage and batch contamination. The EnviZion valve delivers increased productivity by keeping operations online and running longer, as well as reduced operating costs yielding over 90% reduction in maintenance time, says the company. — ITT Engineered Valves, Lancaster, Pa.
This actuator is lighter than its stainless-steel counterparts
Designed to operate at 4.5 bars while maintaining closure performance of up to 10 bars at 100% pressure drop, the Saunders P345 compact polymer pneumatic actuator (photo) will simplify plant infrastructure and provide a lower total cost of ownership compared to existing technologies, according to the manufacturer. This performance is achieved within a highly compact dimensional envelope and at a 30% lighter weight compared to typical stainless-steel variants, reducing dead-leg between associated valves. The use of polyamide housing and a stainless-steel bonnet provides a robust interface. Capable of withstanding temperatures between –10 and 100°C, the P345 is available in sizes DN8 (0.25 in.) to DN100 (4 in.) in spring-to-close, spring-to-open and double-acting modes of operation. — Crane ChemPharma & Energy, a business of Crane Co., The Woodlands, Tex.
This ball valve now has a stem-position indicator disc
This company recently introduced a new stem-position indicator disc for its Camseal metal-seated forged ball valves (photo) for easy, precise on-site identification and inspection of the open-close status of the valve. The high-quality severe-service valves are available in½- through 4-in. sizes with socket weld, butt weld and flanged ends, in pressure classes from ASME 900 through 4500. The new Stem Position Indicator Disc design (patent pending) increases the visibility and accuracy of stem and ball alignment into the valve seat. This is critical in severe applications, such as steam, where positive, sustainable shutoff is critical. — Conval, Enfield, Conn.
New manifold valve design for pressure transmitters
Manifolds shut off or equalize pressure at the transmitter, and also provide the critical mounting mechanisms required in many installations. The recently introduced Rosemount R305 Integral Manifolds and Rosemount R306 In-line Manifolds (photo) have been designed to offer significant user improvements on these basic functions. The most important improvement for both manifolds is the new Pressure-Lock Valve design, which simplifies high-pressure operation, increases safety and enhances reliability. New features include: a two-piece stem that does not rotate in the seat, providing solid closure with minimal wear; easier turning while delivering positive shut-off; an adjustable packing nut that simplifies valve maintenance; and back seating that prevents blowouts for increased user safety. The stem and bonnet threads are fully isolated from the process fluid to minimize potential corrosion, and modular packing ensures only the stem and body are exposed to the process fluid. — Emerson, Shakopee, Minn.
These butterfly valves are built for trouble-free operation
Used in thousands of field installations in municipal, industrial and power applications throughout the world, the American-BFV butterfly valves (photo) are highly engineered to provide long life and trouble-free performance. The ductile iron disc adds strength, allowing the disc to have a smaller cross-section and providing improved head-loss characteristics. Stainless-steel taper pins are designed to utilize tangential forces to provide the most secure method available for locking the disc to the shaft for strength and rigidity. — Val-Matic Valve & Manufacturing Corp., Elmhurst, Ill.
This control valve features a fail-safe function and more
The REflex Quick Change Seat (QCS)control valve with REact 30 DC-PoP smart actuator (photo) is a flexible all-in-one solution for noise reduction and high-pressure-drop applications. The REflex QCS control valve assembles and disassembles in four quick steps without the need for special tools, accelerating maintenance by up to 85%, says the company. Tool-free seat exchange allows for quick adaptation to changing conditions. Featuring optimized high-capacity flow paths and interchangeable trim, the two-way REflex QCS control valve supports a variety of media and meets NACE standards for use with abrasive liquids and gases. All REflex valves are available either as ANSI or DIN size, ensuring that direct replacement is always possible. — Circor International, Inc., Burlington, Mass.
Automatically guard against product contamination
The RotaSafe valve-rotor protection system (photo) automatically detects contact between the rotor and housing and instantly shuts down power to the drive motor to prevent any metal-to-metal contact from contaminating the product and from damaging the valve components. Monitoring valve performance in 24/7 operation, the proprietary RotaSafe system responds instantly to contact due to product buildup, bearing failure, excessive load on the rotor and to other maintenance issues common to processing powders. Developed to safeguard food, beverage, chemical, pharmaceutical, plastic and other materials where purity is paramount, the RotaSafe rotor-contact monitoring system is included as standard equipment on the company’s Rotaval line of rotary valves. The line of rotary valves comprises the food-grade Hygienic Series valves, the versatile Heavy-Duty Series, the Extra Heavy-Duty Series for highly abrasive and extreme situations, and custom valves for unique applications. — Gericke USA, Inc., Somerset, N.J.
Electronic expansion valves with 6–8-ton cooling capacities
This company recently expanded its family of Modular Silicon expansion valves (MSEV; photo) to include cooling capacities of 6, 7 and 8 tons (R-410a). The MSEV is an electronically controlled, normally closed and one-directional flow valve. It can be used for refrigerant mass-flow control in industry-standard HVAC (heat, ventilation and air conditioning) and refrigeration systems. The MSEV provides precise superheat control and quick mass-flow adjustments through a closed-loop control methodology achieved with the company’s Universal SuperHeat Controller (USHC). Embedded with the newest generation of MEMS chip, silQflo Silicon Servo Valve (SSV), the MSEV is said to be the fastest-responding refrigerant expansion valve in the industry. — DunAn Microstaq, Inc., Austin, Tex.
Combined pulsation damping with a backpressure valve
In July, this company received U.S. Patent 10,353,409 for its Hybrid Valve (photo), said to be the world’s first combination pulsation dampener and backpressure valve. The Hybrid Valve combines the steady flow control of a pulsation dampener and the regulation of a backpressure valve to deliver the performance and functionality of both in a single piece of equipment. In a metering pump system, using a back pressure valve alone does nothing to improve fluid flow. When put in series with a pulsation dampener, the flow improves significantly but, according to company performance tests, results do not match the performance of the single-construction Hybrid Valve for the steadiest flow. Further, as a single unit, the Hybrid Valve takes up less space and has fewer leak points for improved functionality and lower maintenance costs. — Blacoh Industries, Riverside, Calif.
Miniature solenoid valve offers high flow, low power and more
This new generation of three-port solenoid valves offers the combination of high flowrates, low leakage and low power consumption in a miniature 10-mm package. The genvi solenoid valve (photo) is capable of achieving minimum flowrates of 30 to 40 std. L/min at 15 psid and its spike-and-hold profile results in ultra-low power consumption (318 mW) during continuous-duty operation on air and compatible gas applications. This reduces system-level heating and improves battery life, making it suitable for applications with challenging power budgets. In addition, genvi valves are designed to provide response times of less than 10 ms in applications with an operating temperatures ranging from 40 to 120°F. Typical applications for the valves include molecular diagnostics, oxygen delivery, environmental monitors, compression therapy, breath analyzers or wherever high flow and low power cannot be sacrificed for size and reliability. — Lee Products Ltd., Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, U.K.
Fluoroelastomers enhance the performance of valves
Components used in industrial equipment must withstand taxing conditions in order to reduce downtime needed to repair or replace malfunctioning parts. To help manufacturers of industrial parts address this challenge, this company offers Aflas 100 Series fluoroelastomers to enhance the performance and extend the life of pumps, seals and valves used in a variety of harsh processing applications. Aflas fluoroelastomers are resistant to acids, bases, solvents, hydrocarbons, sour oil and amines, as well as extreme temperature ranges and high-pressure environments. Aflas 150P, 100S and 100H are FDA-approved for food contact. — AGC Chemicals Americas Inc., Exton, Pa.
Mixproof valve for aseptic applications
This company recently introduced an aseptic double-seat valve to its range of mixproof valves. The new Aseptic Mixproof Valve for sterile process applications (photo) is based on the same modular architecture as the aseptic version of the company’s Single Seat Valve (SSV), and is said to reduce the total cost of ownership for dairy, food, beverage and other manufacturers by up to 45% compared to the leading aseptic double-seat mixproof valves. Initially, the Aseptic Mixproof Valve range will include these valve sizes, which meet most manufacturer requirements: ISO 51 mm (2 in.), 63.5 mm (2.5 in.) and 76.1 mm (3 in.). The optimized design of the Aseptic Mixproof Valve makes cleaning and sterilization easier, thereby enabling more production uptime. With a highly flushable design and no domes in the product and steam areas, the valve provides better cleaning capabilities than other double-seat aseptic mixproof valves. — Alfa Laval Kolding A/S, Denmark
New valves sizes for very-high- pressure applications
Earlier this year, this company introduced new sizes to its family of ultra-high-pressure valves, fittings and tubing. The company added 3/8 in. and 9/16 in. O.D. valves and fittings (photo) designed to ensure safe and easy plumbing for pressures up to 100,000 psi. The new sizes of valves are available in four body styles: two-way straight, two-way angle, three-way/two inlets and three-way/one inlet. Accompanying fittings include check valves, elbows, tees and crosses. The new valves feature 316 stainless-steel high-tensile bodies, non-rotating stem tips to ensure a long life on valve seats, packing below the stem threads and a positive gland-locking device. — High Pressure Equipment Co., a subsidiary of Graco Inc., Erie, Pa.
These anti-siphon valves are corrosion resistant
Used mainly to prevent gravity-induced siphonage from storage tanks, the Series RVDT remains closed under the pressure created by the presence of liquid in a tank, but opens under pump pressure. The pressure setpoint is adjustable from 5 to 150 psi. Once the set pressure is reached, the valve begins to open. It will allow the rated full flow at approximately 40% over the set pressure. Anti-siphon valves are available in pipe sizes from¼–2 in., with various body materials, including Grade 1, Type 1 polyvinylchloride, polypropylene, Corzan, Kynar and Teflon. Flowrates range from 2 to 75 gal/min.— Plast-O-Matic Valves, Inc., Cedar Grove, N.J.
Electrical position indicators for quarter-turn valves
To automate process plants, the LSC limit switch box (photo) detects the valve position of manually and pneumatically operated quarter-turn valves. This is signaled by an optical indication and transmitted to the plant control system. The LSC position indicator can be fitted to all quarter-turn valves, such as butterfly valves or ball valves, with a VDI/VDE 3845 standard interface. — GEMÜ Gebr. Müller Apparatebau GmbH & Co. KG, Ingelfingen-Criesbach, Germany