The Importance of Managing Waste Heat in Steam and Hot Water Systems

Steam production and hot water systems are crucial in industrial and commercial heating and cooling systems.

Industrial heating and cooling systems are critical in many manufacturing and production processes. These systems control the temperature and maintain a specific environment in which products are produced, stored, or processed. However, these systems emit a significant amount of heat released into the atmosphere as waste heat.

Steam production is used in various industries to provide heat and power, including food and beverage processing, chemical manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals. Steam is generated by boiling water, typically using boilers that burn fuel such as natural gas, propane, or oil. The steam is then distributed throughout the facility using pipes, which can be used for heating, cleaning, or driving turbines to generate electricity.

The use of hot water systems is similar, but instead of steam, hot water provides heat. These systems are standard in hospitals, hotels, and other facilities that require a constant hot water supply. Boilers generate the hot water and circulate it through pipes, radiators, heat exchangers, or other heating elements.

Industrial heating and cooling systems generate significant amounts of wasted or unused heat. There are measures to mitigate the causes of waste heat in industrial heating and cooling systems and reduce its release. One solution is to recover the wasted heat and use it for other purposes, such as heating or cooling nearby buildings or other industrial processes. Another solution is to improve the heating and cooling system's efficiency, reducing the energy required to maintain the desired temperature through more efficient heating and cooling systems, insulation, and enhanced equipment design. Also, by connecting your heating and cooling systems, you recover wasted heat and put it back into your industrial process. 

Armstrong's Circular Thermal℠ significantly improves the thermal efficiency of your facilities. It reduces your need for primary energy by capturing and recirculating waste heat within your plant and toward your production. It significantly impacts your site's thermal decarbonization roadmap by reducing — and sometimes eliminating — the required purchase of renewable energy.

Learn more about Armstrong's Circular Thermal℠ here. To discuss more about Armstrong's approach to steam and hot water thermal efficiency in the Rocky Mountain states, contact Energy-West Controls. Call them at 800-533-4477 or visit https://energy-west.com.

Valve Automation

Valve automation refers to the use of electromechanical or pneumatic devices to control the opening and closing of valves in an industrial process. The goal of valve automation is to optimize the control of fluid flow in a system, which can involve adjusting the flow rate, pressure, temperature, or other process variables.

Valve automation can be used in a variety of industries, including chemical processing, oil and gas, water treatment, and power generation. There are many different types of valves that can be automated, including ball valves, butterfly valves, and gate valves, among others. These valves can be controlled manually or automatically using a variety of methods, including electrical signals, pneumatic signals, or hydraulic signals.

In an automated system, the valves are typically controlled by a central control system, which may be a programmable logic controller (PLC) or a distributed control system (DCS). The control system receives input from sensors in the process and sends output signals to the valve actuators to adjust the valve positions as needed. The control system may also include human-machine interfaces (HMIs) or other types of operator interfaces that allow the process to be monitored and controlled by a human operator.

Valve automation can provide a number of benefits in an industrial process, including improved safety, efficiency, and accuracy. By automating the control of valves, it is possible to optimize the flow of fluids in a system to meet the desired process conditions, which can help to reduce waste, save energy, and improve product quality. Additionally, automated valve control can help to prevent human error and improve the overall reliability of the process.

For more information, contact:

Energy West, Inc.
1955 West Industrial Circle
Salt Lake City, Utah 84104
Phone: 801-262-4477
Fax: 801-261-0862
Web: https://energy-west.com

Zero Emission, Emergency Shutdown Valve Actuators

Operators face problems and challenges with API emergency shutdown valves in remote locations where conventional energy sources are unavailable for automation. It is critical for the pipeline's safe operation that such valves can shut down the line when anomalies in the pressure of the gas passing through the pipe occur.

Valves usually are left open. If the line pressure drops or spikes, the system would use stored pressurized hydraulic fluid to close the valve as an emergency shutdown. These old antiquated systems presented several issues that made these highly critical valves inefficient. The main problem was that the system would not hold the valves open for more than two to three days due to internal leakage of the hydraulic system. These actuators would start to drift and prematurely close the valve, requiring the operators to physically go to these remote locations every two days to recharge the system and fully open the valve again. These valves mustn't suddenly close during regular operation and disrupt the flow throughout these midstream pipeline distribution networks.

Cowan Dynamics worked with an operator to review the requirements and recommend a superior design. 

Here is a list of the challenges. 

• This application presents a lack of conventional energy sources due to these valves' remote location. 
• High torque and high thrust requirements make other power sources, such as solar power, unviable. 
• The agricultural setting mandated a zero fugitive emissive solution. 
• The operators required a drop-in retrofit, adding an extra layer of complexity to the challenge as these valves were underground and not readily accessible. 

Cowan developed a solution named the ZE-ESD module. The solution consisted of a hydraulic accumulator, a 3000 psi rated actuator from Cowan's series MLA specially designed hydraulic manifold complete with a reservoir, a leakage compensating small accumulator, and a hand pump that serves as a power source to pressurize the accumulator and actuate the valve. The hydraulic circuit design significantly reduces pressure drops in the system due to thermal expansion or leakage throughout hydraulic components. 

Cowan's ZE-ESD system proved a great success. The unique design of the hydraulic circuit far exceeded the original seven-day target. After 12 days of testing, the system only experienced a drop in the main pressure of three percent. After a month of installing the system, the customer advised that the valve needed recharging just once.

Another issue is environmental compliance. Environmental agencies establish stringent emission standards, often imposing heavy fines on those in violation. A large part of these fugitive emissions stems from gas-powered actuators' exhaust. As a result of these economic and environmental implications, Cowan Dynamics and Energy West Controls are committed to helping operators tighten their grip on fugitive emissions. Engineered to comply with API and ISO standards, Cowan's industry-leading range of zero-emission hydraulic modules for quarter-turn and linear valves are certified for maximum compliance with minimum environmental impact.

For more information, contact:

Energy West, Inc.
1955 West Industrial Circle
Salt Lake City, Utah 84104
Phone: 801-262-4477
Fax: 801-261-0862
Web: https://energy-west.com

Thank You Veterans

Detailed Instructions for Setting Position Limits on the Limitorque L120 Electric Actuator

This instructional video aims to safely illustrate how to set position limits on the Limitorque L120 electric actuator using the correct procedure. Explore the video to understand the right language for equipment, comprehend the wiring diagram about the limit switch contact development, and discover how to evaluate the limit switch's position.

The Flowserve Limitorque L120 electric actuator serves various environmental applications in the power, oil & gas, and water industries.

For more information, contact:

Energy West Controls

https://energy-west.com

800-533-4477

Industrial Ball and Butterfly Valves

A ball valve is a quarter-turn rotation valve that uses a ball-shaped disk to stop or start flow through the valve. When the ball valve opens, the ball rotates so that the ball's port is in line with the valve body inlet and outlet. If the valve is closed, the ball turns so that the port is perpendicular to the flow openings of the valve body, and the flow stops.

A butterfly valve is a quarter-turn rotational motion valve that stops, regulates, and starts the flow using  a disk. The disk is always in the passageway, but because it is relatively less thick, it offers little resistance to flow. The butterfly valve offers many advantages, including 90-degree rotation for fully open and fully closed and good control capabilities to control the flowing media in a process. 

Both types of valves are used widely in industry and are available in a broad spectrum of materials, depending on their application. Each style valve has unique advantages when applied, and it is always a good idea to discuss your application with a valve expert.

A-T Controls is an industry innovator in the conception, production, and distribution of manually operated and automated ball and butterfly valves for a wide variety of business sectors around the world. A-T Controls is well-known for its extensive inventory and highly experienced staff, which enable them to provide the customer solutions needed to fulfill most valve and actuator requirements at a competitive price and offer the quickest turnaround time in the industry. 

A-T Controls Full Product Line Includes:

• High Performance Butterfly Valves
• Resilient Seated Butterfly Valves
• Trunnion Mounted Ball Valves
• Pig Valve Dual Valve
• Isolation Valve Assemblies
• Cryogenic Ball Valves
• Lined Ball Valves
• Tank Bottom Valves
• Electric Actuators
• Spring Return Electric Actuators
• Fail Safe Electric Actuators
• Heavy Duty Actuators
• Pneumatic Scotch Yoke Actuators
• Pneumatic Rack & Pinion Actuators
• 180º Pneumatic Actuators
• Stainless Steel Pneumatic Actuators
• Declutchable Gear Operators
• Gear Operators
• Limit Switches
• Solenoids
• Positioners

For more information, contact:

Energy West Controls

https://energy-west.com

800-533-4477

Dependable and Accurate Flow Measurement with Armstrong VERIS Verabar®

Averaging Pitot Tubes are self-averaging flow meters that measure gas, liquid, and vapor flow in pipes and ducts using differential pressure. They are simple and provide long-term pitot tube accuracy and low operating costs. 

The Armstrong VERIS Verabar®  one-piece solid design and bullet form provide clog-free and accurate flow monitoring. The accuracy of Verabar®  averaging pitot sensors is unchanged with time and does not need frequent inspections. When a fluid impacts the sensor, it creates a high-pressure zone in front of the sensor. As fluid accelerates around the sensor, a low-pressure area develops to the sides and rear of the sensor. Multiple strategically positioned sensing ports are in these high and low-pressure zones, providing a measurable averaged differential pressure.

Verabar®  utilizes a leak-proof design, complete with a robust one-piece sensor. Other manufacturers employ a three-piece sensor arrangement with no mechanism to seal the tubes. As a result, temperature, pressure, vibration, and even manufacturing differences might create leakage between the chambers, resulting in considerable undetected accuracy loss. Not the case with Verabar®.

VERIS Verabar® introduces a novel design with built-in valves in the instrument's head. This improved design simplifies installation and maintenance by minimizing the number of connections while lowering connecting hardware costs.

The VERIS Verabar®  flow sensors with differential pressure transmitters provide the market's most dependable and accurate DP flow measuring system.

VERIS Verabar® Benefits

• Superior Signal Stability and Greater Resistance to Clogging
• Long-Term Accuracy You Can Trust
• Data to Back  Up Accuracy Claims
• Quality Assurance

Energy West Controls

https://energy-west.com

800-533-4477

Fully Lined Valves Specially Designed for Use in Ultra Pure and Corrosive Industrial Environments

A lined valve's wetted surfaces are composed of a polymeric substance, most often a fluorocarbon. The medium does not come into touch with any of the metal components in a fully lined valve. Every surface of the valve's wet components has been coated with PFA to prevent chemical corrosion and extend the valve's service life. Pinholes, cracks, swelling, and locally uneven thickness that may occur in injection molded PFA lining, as well as any potential issues with exfoliation, stress cracking, or fluid permeability, are eliminated.

Fully PFA-lined butterfly valves from Acris® provide bidirectional zero leakage shutdown in corrosive and ultra clean industrial applications. Acris PFA-coated butterfly valves provide unrivaled corrosion, permeation, and microbiological contamination protection for optimal purity and durability with little maintenance. Acris completely PFA lined valves are designed for bidirectional zero leakage shutdown and are the high-performance option for essential applications.

Acris PFA-lined ball valves provide unrivaled resistance to corrosion, permeation, and microbiological contamination. As a result, these valves offer optimum purity and dependability while requiring only minimum maintenance. Acris completely PFA-lined ball valves are the high-performance option for applications that need a leak-free shut down in both directions. These valves were designed specifically for this purpose. Both full port and regular port designs are accessible to customers.

A Powerful Combination of Products and Experience to Assist with Energy Efficiency and Decarbonization

Net-zero has emerged as a common goal as the fight against climate change gathers pace, and the globe pushes toward decarbonization. Many facilities desire a practical, ready-to-implement solution since they are unclear on how to proceed. There is a systematic approach to decarbonization, but what works for one facility could not for another. Energy West Controls experts are available to help you decide what is best for you. 

Energy West Controls offers products that help its customers optimize energy utilization and lower emissions in industries such as:

• Power Generation
• Metals
• Paper
• Food and Beverage
• Pharmaceutical
• Chemical
• Institutional Facilities (Universities, Government, Hospitals, Military)
• Agribusiness

Along with Armstrong's steam and hot water products, the Sage^® IIoT platform, and Everactive's battery-free technology, Energy West Controls delivers the human experience and expertise necessary for a brand-new energy monitoring and management approach for these industries. This method reduces energy consumption in a facility by replacing outdated thermal systems with more energy-efficient equipment. 

Energy West's arsenal is strong. Armstrong's thermal utility solutions include products and services for managing steam and hot water systems, such as steam traps, water heaters, control valves, heat pumps, monitoring equipment, and software. The Sage^® platform enables you to enhance equipment dependability, efficiency, and safety, elevating utility system management to a new level. As a sustainable means to halt waste, the Everactive Steam Trap Monitoring (STM) solution enables maintenance teams to fix trap problems as they arise and thereby increase the effectiveness of the steam system and lower energy consumption. These advanced products and tools allow manufacturing and utility companies greater efficiency while significantly reducing CO2 emissions and energy costs. 

Energy West Controls, Armstrong International, and Everactive are an effective team for identifying energy waste and recapturing it for other applications, in line with the worldwide movement toward sustainability and energy efficiency. We enhance your manufacturing process and performance, lower environmental emissions, boost safety, and assist you in achieving your net-zero carbon target by combining our skills and technology. 

The technology and tools available from Energy West Controls, Armstrong International, and Everactive will help you create a decarbonization road map specific to your facility and industry. Call us right now for further details.

Energy West Controls

https://energy-west.com

800-533-4477

Honoring the Fallen on Memorial Day

 

The Jerguson Magnicator II Magnetic Level Gage for Liquids and Gases

The Jerguson Magnicator II offers reliable level measurement and optimal performance life. The patented float provides the strongest magnetic field of any magnetic level indicator on the market, ensuring reliable and repeatable operation.

Using a patented float that offers the strongest magnetic field of any magnetic level indicator and an indicator fully isolated from the process, the Jerguson Magnicator II offers reliable level measurement and optimal performance life.

Magnicator level indicators can be used in a variety of applications including acid tanks, sumps, oil production, boiler feedwater heaters, sodium hydroxide, drip legs, steam or hydrocarbon condensate, interface applications (oil/water), separators, propane, slurry tanks, benzene, and natural gas.

• Where code allows, they are an ideal alternative to sight glasses, providing visibility, reduced maintenance, and eliminating the leak paths associated with sealing glass.
• Floats feature patented annular ring magnets for strength and smooth autogenous welds that do not interfere with float motion.
• Standard Schedule 40 chamber construction rated 2200 PSI at 100°F; Schedule 80 and Schedule 160 chambers available for higher pressures.
• Complies with ASME B31.1 and ASME B31.3 standards.
• Shock- and vibration-resistant stainless steel flag indicators have their own ceramic magnets plus dual rotation points.
• Now available with 1.5" (38.1mm) Wide Flag stainless steel indicator, for extreme shock- and vibration-resistance.
• Optional Flash-proof model available for use with boiling fluids and flashing vapors.
• NightStar LED illuminators for 24-hour visibility.

Energy West Controls

https://energy-west.com

800-533-4477

SlurryFlo Control Valves for Abrasive and Erosive Slurries

Designed to solve severe flow control problems at the Canadian Oil Sands, the SlurryFlo control valve withstands some of the harshest process conditions, using patented technology that provides the ultimate wear resistance, performance, and durability.

Modulating the flow of slurry can be challenging. The continuous erosion often results in damaged valves and piping; and the costs associated with replacement valves, lost production and labor can be significant.

Compared to traditional ‘line of site’ slurry valves (ball valves, butterfly valves, and pinch valves), the SlurryFlo control valve delivers a quantum leap in service life and reduces the overall cost of ownership for your most demanding applications.

Because of the patented design, exposure to erosive flow only occurs to the trim components. Once they eventually wear out, these parts can easily be field replaced.

SlurryFlo control valves excel in abrasive applications throughout the mining industry or any other process where valve performance and life expectancy are critical.

Energy West Controls

https://energy-west.com

800-533-4477

Industrial Electric Valve Actuators

An electric actuator is a device that uses electricity to open, close, or modulate a valve. While most of the fundamental concepts used in electric actuators have been around since the 1930s, decades of incremental advancement have significantly increased their capabilities while decreasing their cost. These developments have reached a tipping point in recent years, making electric actuators the preferable option for many applications. 

Electric valve actuation offer measurable benefits: 

• Electricity is generally inexpensive, easy to handle, and readily accessible at most industrial facilities. 
• Electric actuators often have a cheaper capital cost per equivalent torque/thrust output unit. 
• They are also better for the environment and safer to use. 
• Electric actuators may provide greater positioning precision for control or modulating valve duties and advanced process monitoring, data recording, and information feedback. 
• Electric actuators include all necessary control functions, resulting in fewer capital costs. 
• By providing distributed control, the electric actuator's historically high wire cost is reduced - through efficient and uncomplicated control logic wiring integrated into client SCADA or DCS systems. 
• As torque and thrust needs grow, electric actuators weigh less and have smaller footprints than pneumatic actuators. 
• Electronic actuators may provide very high output thrust and torque values when combined with external gears. 

There are also certain drawbacks to electric valve actuation to consider: 

• With few exceptions, electric actuators cannot guarantee a fail-safe stroke. Nonetheless, they will "fail in place". Fail-safe stroke refers to an actuator's capacity to move a valve to a predetermined safe position when power is lost. 
• Electric actuators are more complex than other types of actuators. Electronic technology also demands constant upgrading to keep up with component changes and advancements. 
• Electric actuators are less cost-effective than pneumatic and hydraulic actuators and have operating speed limitations beyond a specified size/torque range. 
• Electric actuators need more stringent certifications and design characteristics to be safe for use in hazardous areas where explosive process material may be present.

Energy West Controls will assist you in specifying and applying the best electric actuator for your process flow requirement. Visit https://energy-west.com or call 800-533-4477 to discuss your applications.