6 WAY ZONE VALVE

The most compact six-way zone valve in the HVAC industry with QM (Quick Mounting) assembly between the valve and the actuator, and directly connect to the flexible hoses. The six-way zone valve allows you to manage the supply to a single user from two different sources of thermal energy, or to easily manage 4-pipe systems (typically used in heating and cooling applications). A single actuated valve can substitute two or more actuated valves, easily resolving any complications with synchronization for the opening/closings of the two sources. The six-way zone valve allows the system change-over from heating to cooling within the quarter turn and also the simultaneous closing of the supply from both sources at 45°.

These valves are typically used in radiant ceiling systems, in particular for the service sector, where the change-over from heating to cooling can be easily managed, even when this is required during the same day, and can be carried out independently for each zone.

Automated Flow Balancing Valve

The Automatic Flow balancing Valve uses the latest flow technology to assure that the designed flow rate is achieved at all the times, in the whole system, irrespective of any pressure changes within the system. The solution ensures the desired flow rate for your cooling or heating water distribution system. In brass with 1/2″ sweat end connections, available with 0.5 GPM increments up to 6 GPM.

Pipes and other engineering services in industrial building

Dampers make up a critical part of HVAC systems and getting the selection right is vital to long term performance. Here’s what you need to know to choose the right damper.

The basics

Dampers are used to control airflow through certain portions of an HVAC system. You may need them to open and close or you may need them to modulate for variable airflow. They may be duct-mounted, wall-mounted or integrated into air handling equipment. Specialized dampers like smoke dampers limit the spread of smoke through ductwork and air transfer openings.

Dampers are constructed from metal (aluminum or steel) and consist of a frame and moving blades. The position of these blades determines how much air can flow through. Dampers may be have parallel or opposed blade arrangements. Parallel blade dampers are better suited to open/close applications while opposed blade dampers work well for modulating airflow.

Sizing and selecting a damper

Sizing a damper begins with the maximum airflow through the damper using the equation:

Airflow = Velocity x Cross-sectional area.

For dampers, the cross sectional area is the free area, which is the area available for air to flow when the damper is fully opened. Manufacturers publish this information in charts. Once you calculate your free area for a given velocity, use these charts to find the height and width for your damper.

To ensure that the dampers don’t create airflow problems in your system, the fan must be able to overcome the damper pressure drop. Depending on the situation, you may have to oversize your damper to reduce the pressure drop.

Fire damper for fire protection system on the roofing floor.

Choosing a velocity to size the damper depends on the application. The velocity for intake should be limited to 450-500 feet per minute (fpm) to prevent rain from entering. Exhaust velocities can go up to 1200 fpm.

Another decision you have to make when selecting a damper is whether the blades need to be weather-sealed or insulated. Weather sealed and insulated dampers are suitable for intake and exhaust dampers that are open to the exterior.

Controls

Dampers can be manual or automatic and with the increase in building automation, getting control right is important. This is where actuators come in. Our next article will discuss actuators in more detail.

2-way brass ball valve with iso top flange Enolgas USA

Ball valves with Teflon seals have some unique characteristics that you cannot find in other types of traditional valves, such as butterfly valves, plug valves, gate valves, solenoids valves, etc. Ball valves have the best ratio among pressure, flow rate and price.

The specific characteristics of ball valves are:

1. THE SECURITY OF SEAL

The seal is hermetic under normal conditions. Teflon seals can adapt to the relevant surface due to the precise loading, which can be obtained. Once operative the seal remains constant and the wear is limited, due to self-lubricating properties of the material. Teflon seal is elastic and can re-adapt to its original shape, provided expansion or contraction of the valve keeps the deformation within acceptable limits. Unlike most valves, the ball valve obtains a secure seal due to the inlet pressure of the fluid, compressing the ball against the opposite seal proportional to the actual inlet pressure.

2. VARIETY OF APPLICATIONS

Ball valves with Teflon seals are suitable to most fluids, which are compatible with brass, e.g.:

1. Gases: Methane, Ethane, Propane, Butane, Argon, Freon, Oxygen, etc.
2. Oils: vegetable, mineral, synthetic, hydrocarbons in general and all carbon fuel derivations such as Diesel, Petrol, Kerosene, etc.
3. Sundry: air, cold and hot water, low-pressure steam to a maximum of  +248°F  (+120°C)

3. VERSATILITY

Ball valves are suitable for low and medium pressures as well as vacuum conditions. They are ideal for both low and high temperature from -4°F +302°F (20°C to + 150°C) respectively.

4. PORT CAPACITY

Ball valves have a port with a circular section equal to the tube; therefore there is no turbulence in the flow, and this, in turn, reduces the loss of pressure head.

5. FUNCTION

Ball valves give the operator an immediate visual position of the valve status even at a distance. When the handle is parallel, to the valve and pipe, the valve is open. When the handle is at a right angle, (perpendicular) to the valve and pipe the valve is closed. The on/off operation is quickly and positively achieved by a ¼ turn of the handle, and therefore confusion and mistakes are minimized. Rotation of the ball in operation continually cleans the surface and therefore eliminates contaminants, which could cause a leak in conventional valves.

6. MAINTENANCE-FREE

Ball valves eliminate the need for lubricating materials due to the self (dry) lubricating properties of Teflon. Therefore a contaminant-free environment exists, and possible causes of leakage are reduced to a minimum. Because the valve and seals are constructed to close tolerances, it is unnecessary to carry out adjustments (or maintenance) during the life of the valve.

7. DESIGN

Ball valves are designed and constructed to fit comfortably into a pipeline, with a minimum of bulk, while retaining strength and durability for the life of the valve. The handle operation of a ball valve can be made left or right hand, while the flat handle can be replaced with a tee-handle the clearance is a problem in cramped spaces.

For an more information, visit www.enolgasusa.com or the Enolgas USA blog, Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter and YouTube.

3-way brass ball valve with iso top flange Enolgas USA

Jade Stainless Steel Manual Valve Enolgas USA

Actuated Brass Ball Valve with Quick Mounting

2-way brass ball valve with electric actuator Enolgas USA

2-way Electric actuated brass ball valve Enolgas USA

Ever wondered who is legally responsible for the cost of clean-up and repair of damage caused by water leaks in a condominium building? Sometimes it is the association’s responsibility, sometimes it is the owner’s responsibility and sometimes it is either or both of these parties insurance companies less deductibles but here are some tips to greatly assist you in preventing water leaks to avoid the expensive damages the leaks can cause. First, it was found that most of the water leaks in condominium buildings are caused by owners not proactively maintaining and timely replacing their appliances and related hardware; thereby, causing the leaks to occur. The dilemma, however, is that even though this issue of preventative maintenance or replacement may cause the leak usually does not rise to the level of provable legal negligence which, if found, could place the entire cost of clean-up and repair on the owner. Instead, the usual result is that the association and other owners living in units below or next to the leak are having to pay for the costly cleanup and repairs of the damage to the common elements and the other owners’ units caused by the leak.

Following are the items unit owners should consider to prevent the water leaks:

• Contract for ongoing air-conditioning maintenance service, which includes periodic inspection of the system on at least an annual basis, addition of chlorine tablets or other products to keep the lines clear and periodic blowout of the lines.
• Replace unit water heaters after they have been in service for ten (10) years (normal life expectancy of a water heater before probable leaking).
• Replace dishwashers after they have been in service for fourteen (14) years (normal life expectancy of a dishwasher before probable leaking).
• Replace all washing machine hoses with steel lined hoses.
• Turn off main water valve to the unit if the unit will be unoccupied for 48 hours or more.
• Replace the wax-ring, seal and flange every six (6) years or when such activities occur including: toilet beginning to rock, toilet has been lifted or shifted, water leaking from underneath the base after flushing or when the odor of sewer gases has developed.

It is so much better to prevent the water leaks in multifamily buildings up front rather than have to cover the great expense of cleanup and damage repair later. A dry building makes for happy owners and tenants.

Keeping your home safe from flooding isn’t always foolproof, but the more you know and the more cautious you are, the better chance you have to protect your investment. For an added layer of protection, keep up-to-date with the latest technology and Water Security System at the Enolgas USA blog, Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter and YouTube. With everything you learn, you can keep flooding damage to a minimum and have peace of mind. You can’t put a price on that.

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is a branch of fluid mechanics that uses numerical analysis and data structures to solve and analyze problems that involve fluid flows. Computers are used to perform the calculations required to simulate the interaction of liquids and gases with surfaces defined by boundary conditions. With high-speed supercomputers, better solutions can be achieved. Ongoing research yields software that improves the accuracy and speed of complex simulation scenarios such as transonic or turbulent flows. Initial experimental validation of such software is performed using a wind tunnel with the final validation coming in full-scale testing.

At Enolgas USA, CFD is available for specific process and requests. Check out our Technical Support, the Conversion Calculator and the Flow Coefficient Calculator.

Hydraulic Actuators

A hydraulic actuator uses pressurized liquid to facilitate mechanical operations in many industrial settings. Because liquids are incapable of being compressed, hydraulic actuators can supply force far beyond that of any other type of actuator, often up to 4,000 pounds per square inch (PSI). Because hydraulic actuators use pressurized liquid, they can supply power even from a far distance. As a result, these actuators are usually used for offshore drilling and exploration.

Electric Actuators

Powered by a motor that converts electric into mechanical torque, electric actuators are the most popular type of actuator. Electric actuators don’t require oil, so they’re much cleaner than some of their counterparts. In addition, electric actuators are easily reprogrammed and networked, offering immediate feedback for diagnostics and maintenance.

Electric actuators come in both linear and rotary format, and each serves a different purpose. A linear electric actuator moves valves and other mechanisms in a straight line using belts, screws, and coils. Typical uses for these actuators include locking doors, braking machine motions, and opening and closing dampers. Electrical rotary actuators provide rotational movement applications. A range of industries uses this type of electrical actuator, especially in the robotics industry.

Pneumatic Actuators

Pneumatic actuators convert energy formed by air or a vacuum into linear or rotary motion. The air in these types of actuators comes from an external compressor or a manual pump that forces air into a cylinder with a piston. The piston then begins to move, creating the energy needed to move valves open or closed.

The easiest way to understand a pneumatic actuator is to think of it as a hydraulic actuator that uses air instead of liquid. These actuators are efficient, creating huge changes in the system from small alterations in pressure, and also operate more quietly than hydraulic actuators.

Mechanical Actuators

A mechanical actuator is the simplest of all actuators, using physical parts to convert rotational to linear motion. Rack and pinion steering on cars or turning an outdoor faucet on or off are the most common examples of this type of actuator.

Thermal/Magnetic Actuators

A thermal or magnetic actuator uses either heat or magnets to turn an electric current into mechanical energy. Most often, these actuators use shape memory alloys, which are metals that can return to their original shape even after heating or distortion. These actuators tend to be economical, lightweight, and easy to construct, so they are applicable to a variety of industries.

When you need actuators for any type of project, Enolgas USA is the only company you need to get in touch with. We provide a massive selection of actuators, as well as product knowledge so you can get the job done. Make sure to contact us today for all of your actuator needs.

What Does an Electric Actuated Ball Valve Do?

Before you start your quest to find the ideal electric actuated ball valve, you should know just what they do. These valves serve an array of industrial and commercial applications. In HVAC, they direct air flow in certain manufacturing operations. Even when they’re used to move water, electric actuated ball valves are technically listed as an HVAC component. The most common use in this regard is in industrial water chillers, which help cool any equipment that’s at risk of overheating.

In addition, electric actuated ball valves are ideal for situations that lack a compressed air supply, as well as applications where a solenoid valve is incompatible.

Electric Actuated Ball Valves Versus Other Ball Valves

When you’re trying to control air flow, you have an endless amount of options. Pneumatic, manual, hydraulic, and spring ball valves are all easy to find and work for most projects. The advantage of employing electric actuated ball valves is that they’re easily wired in parallel electric circuits, providing a plethora of benefits that keep your system running smoothly as long as power continuously runs to the valves. Other valves rely on other types of sources to work, and most often, they aren’t nearly as easy to control or access.

What are the Advantages of Electric Actuated Ball Valves?

In short, the advantages of electric actuated ball valves lie in their versatility. For example, these ball valves come in a variety of materials to suit the task at hand. Stainless steel, brass, and PVC (polyvinyl chloride) are three of the most popular materials for the valves, offering different price ranges and benefits. For example, stainless steel is more malleable than other substances, while PVC is an inexpensive alternative.

Electric actuated ball valves also come in two-way and three-way varieties. This helps streamline the automation process for your needs. Two-way varieties can accurately turn air flow on and off at the touch of a button, or as part of an automated unit. Three-way valves allow you to close air flow or change air flow in rapid succession for maximum efficiency.

When you need electric actuated ball valves for your business, you don’t want to take chances on units that lack quality or durability. That’s what makes Enolgas USA a solid choice. Since 2008, Enolgas USA has produced only the highest quality actuators and valves in the world. Don’t hesitate to contact them for your next purchase. It might be the best choice you make.

We specialize in creating high-quality actuated valves. When there’s flooding, our actuated valves will allow you take the excess water and move it to a different location.

Hypothetically speaking, if your home or business was getting flooded, one of the actuated valves could detect the increase in moisture before it gets to critical levels, and then transfer the excess water to a safe location. At the very least, you’d know ahead of time that the water levels were getting too high so you can do something about it.

Hurricanes are no joke. The potential of flooding should be taken seriously. If you’re in a hurricane-prone area or about to get hit with a powerful storm like Irma, you need to take the proper precautions for flooding. Our actuated valves will do their part, but it’s better to be extra safe.

Make sure all your electronics are off the ground. Unplug all your electronics beforehand. Put all your important documents (ex: passports, birth certificates, titles, etc) in waterproof bags. Put small electronics in waterproof bags. Have an evacuation plan. Evacuate if you’re near the shore.

These are just some of the precautions you should take. If you have any questions about how actuated valves can help during a natural disaster– more specifically, flooding– don’t hesitate to talk to one of our specialists. Call us at (855) 366 5427.

From everyone at Enolgas USA to our family, friends, and customers in hurricane-prone regions… Don’t wait too long to get ready for an impending natural disaster. Please be safe this hurricane season.

What Are Valve Actuators?

To understand what an electric actuated valve is, you first need to understand the nature of valve actuators. A valve actuator is any device that employs a source of power to open or close a valve.

Often, that source of power is a human being. As in, a person must be present at the valve site to apply rotational force in order to open or close the valve. As you can imagine, this is often inconvenient and can cost precious time. For example, if there is an emergency within a plumbing system you may have to wait hours until a plumber can shut off the valve if you’re not familiar with how to do it.

Other valves are automatic. They may be operated by a variety of means, including electricity, hydraulics, air, or springs.

Advantages of Electric Actuated

The biggest advantage of electric actuated valves is they can be remotely operated. Therefore, if there is a plumbing emergency the valves can easily be shut off before a bad situation gets any worse.

Electric actuated valves are also energy efficient. Not only can they prevent excess water flow, thereby saving you money on your water bill, but the valves themselves do not consume a great deal of energy. According to Flow Control Network, which focuses on designing, maintaining, and operating fluid control systems, “It is often said that control valves wastefully expend energy, but this is not true. Modern control valve design and sizing methods allow for the use of pumps with smaller head pressures, resulting in less energy absorption via the pressure drop across a control valve.”

Electric actuated valves are often used in industrial settings, but they can be useful in any fluid management system.

Electric Actuated Valves as Part of a Water Security System

A water security system can prevent flooding, prevent water damage, and reduce water waste. Electric actuated valves can be an integral part of such a system. The valves may have sensors that detect when water flow is too high and automatically shut off. This monitoring capability does not consume a lot of energy and can be especially valuable when you are away from home for extended periods of time and aren’t around to notice if something is off with your water system.

You don’t have to be an expert to understand that electric actuated valves can benefit you and your home. If you would like to learn more about electric actuated valves and water security systems, contact Enolgas USA, Inc. today. The experts there will make recommendations for your home so you can take advantage of modern technology that will make your home more secure and more efficient.