The Schubert & Salzer Ball Sector Valve for Abrasive and Slurry Service

The Schubert & Salzer Ball Sector Valve performs well in harsh environments such as slurries, dry media, fluids with suspended solids, and liquids containing fibers. It is the best choice for precise control in various process industries such as mining, pulp and paper, and the chemical industry. 

The ball sector valve employs a hemispherical shell called the ball sector, securely held in place in the valve body by two large bearing stems. 

Ball sector valves perform admirably in demanding applications compared to other types of valves. When conventional butterfly and ball segment valves are closed, the critical sealing components of the valve suffer the most wear. Because of the unique design of the ball sector, the seals are less prone to wear through the reduced exposed area, preventing exposure to high flow velocities; thus, the service life of ball sector valves extends significantly. The shaft is sealed and protected from media particles by a self-adjusting PTFE packing with an integrated spring element. Compared to other valve technologies, this innovative seal design, combined with various materials and finishes for the ball sector and valve seat, significantly extends the valve's life. As a result, it is ideal for abrasive, high viscosity, or fiber-containing media. 

The valve is used for control tasks because of the modified equal-percentage operating characteristic (difference pressure increases as the valve closes) and the outstanding rangeability of 300:1. The unique connection on the valve body ensures that the differential pressure on the valve has little effect on the actuating torque. 

Other technologies, such as a segmented ball or rotary globe valves, use an eccentric shaft, which causes the ball or plug to lift from the valve seat as the valve opens. As a result, sealing areas are subjected to permanent wear right away. Particulate can get stuck between the seal ring and the ball/plug. The ball sector valve has centric and robust trunnions that keep the ball sector in constant contact with the valve seat, preventing media contamination. The permanent actuation torque is unaffected by changes in differential pressure.

For more information on Schubert & Salzer products in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Iowa, contact Power Specialties, Inc. Call (816) 353-6550 or visit https://powerspecialties.com.

Yokogawa Instrumentation Services

A measurement instrument isn't a one-time purchase. It is a long-term life cycle investment. Yokogawa knows they are often operating critical processes, processes where safety is paramount. That is why Yokogawa offers high-quality life cycle services to keep Yokogawa's instruments in top condition. Yokogawa goes above and beyond to make customer satisfaction. They offer these services at Yokogawa's manufacturing facility in Newnan, Georgia, where highly trained technicians perform a complete assessment, calibrate repair, clean upgrade, and produce a comprehensive service record. 

Yokogawa's full service includes calibration, repairs, cleaning, upgrades, and comprehensive service records. Even on competitor models! White glove inspection process and repair, from simple touchups to sandblasting and repainting, are part of the Yokogawa difference.

Yokogawa's full instrumentation services includes:

• Calibration and Certification 
• Installation / Loop Check / Startup 
• Preventative and Corrective Maintenance Services 
• Emergency Repair 
• Programming and Troubleshooting 
• Factory Repair / Flow Testing

Additional Yokogawa Instrument Services

• On-site Calibration and Certification (All Manufacturers' Equipment)
• Emergency Repair, Programming, and Troubleshooting
• Preventative and Corrective Maintenance Services

For more information in Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri contact Power Specialties. Call (816) 353-6550 or visit https://powerspecialties.com.

The Schubert & Salzer GS Sliding Gate Control Valve

Schubert & Salzer GS valve product line controls liquids, steam, and gases with accuracy, quickly, and efficiently. The GS design includes a stationary sealing plate with several slots is fixed in the body perpendicular to the flow direction. A moving disc of equal height is positioned across its face with identical slot configuration slides vertically against it, thereby changing the rate flow. The differential pressure presses the moving disc against the fixed disc and seals it.

GS sliding gate valves are used to control gases, steam and liquids in these industries (and more!)

• Chemical and pharmaceutical industry
• Steel and aluminum plants
• Food and beverage industry
• Breweries
• Textile manufacturing
• Tire production
• Plastics and rubber
• Research and development
• Gas and compressed air production and utilization.

For more information about Schubert & Salzer products in Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, or Kansas, contact Power Specialties, Inc. Call them at (816) 353-6550 or visit their website at https://powerspecialties.com.

Advantages of Sliding Gate Control Valves

Schubert & Salzer's sliding gate control valves are designed as an effective alternative to traditional control valves. The sliding gate valve controls liquid, vapor, and gaseous media precisely, quickly, and economically. The design is uniquely simple, but is intelligently built to handle complex applications that require precise control under taxing conditions. They are an excellent choice for a variety of media, including steam, liquids, and gases. 

How Sliding Gate Control Valves Work

A sealing plate with many crossways slots of equal height is fixed in the body at right angles to the flow direction. A moving disc with the same slot arrangement moves in parallel to the fixed disc, thereby changing the flow cross-section. The prevailing differential pressure presses the moving disc against the fixed disc and seals it. 

The machined orifices in the fixed plate or disc can vary in design, size, and configuration, determining the flow coefficient (Cv) and the flow characteristic of the valve. As the cross sectional area changes and the valve modulates, flow is broken apart, creating a variable field of area flow, which reduces energy and noise. The differential pressure creates a unique seal between the two plates, and when in the sealed position, an overlap of approximately 1 mm creates a leak-tight valve.

ADVANTAGES OF THE SLIDING GATE CONTROL VALVE

1. Fits into tight spaces
2. Outstanding rangeability
3. 40:1 to 160:1
4. Easy to install and maintain
5. Variable Cv Values
6. Significantly reduced energy consumption
7. Minimal wear
8. Extremely low leakage rate
9. Optimal flow control
10. Maximum differential pressures

For more information about Schubert & Salzer products in Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, or Kansas, contact Power Specialties, Inc. Call them at (816) 353-6550 or visit their website at https://powerspecialties.com.

Fundamentals of pH Control in Industrial, Municipal, and Commercial Applications

Handheld pH Meter & Sensor
(courtesy of Yokogawa)

Analytical measurement and control of pH within a system is necessary for many processes. Common applications include food processing, wastewater treatment, pulp & paper production, HVAC, power generation, and chemical industries.

To maintain the desired pH level in a solution, a sensor is used to measure the pH value. If the pH is not at the desired set point, a reagent is applied to the solution. When a high alkaline level is detected in the solution, an acid is added to decrease the pH level. When a low alkaline level is detected in the solution, a base is added to increase the pH level. In both cases the corrective ingredients are called reagents.

Accurately applying the correct amount of reagent to an acid or base solution can be challenging due to the logarithmic characteristics a pH reaction in a solution. Implementing a closed-loop control system maintains the pH level within a certain range and minimizes the degree to which the solution becomes acidic or alkaline.

An example of an automatic pH level control system is a water treatment process where lime softened water is maintained at a pH of 9, using carbon dioxide as a reagent. As the untreated water (or influent) enters the tank, the pH is continuously monitored by the pH sensor. The sensor is the feedback device to the controller where the setpoint is compared to the control value. If the values are not equal, the controller sends a signal to the control valve that applies carbon dioxide to the tank. The reagent is applied to the tank at varying rates to precisely control the pH level. With the pH level at 11 detected by the sensor, the controller commands the control valve to open and introduce more carbon dioxide. As the increased carbon dioxide mixes with the influent, the pH is lowered in a controlled manner. Reaching the setpoint, the carbon dioxide flow is minimized and the process is continually monitored for variation. The effluent is the treated water that is discharged out of the tank. The process continues to provide the lime softened water at the desired pH level.