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