Lead-Free Solenoid Valves

Lead is a highly poisonous substance. Manufacturers of drinking water fountains, reverse osmosis systems, coffee makers, and commercial kitchen equipment are affected by strict US safety standards. Soldering flux having a lead content of more than 0.2 percent, or a weighted average of 0.25 percent lead in the wetted surfaces of pipes, pipe fittings, plumbing fittings, and fixtures, cannot be used in a lead-free system. Lead-free is a cumulative term under the law. 

As a result, Ives Equipment and ASCO offer various lead-free valve options that comply with the new rules, are NSF certified, and are available in the industry's most comprehensive range of pipe sizes, pressure or temperature ratings, and flow coefficients. 

Customers can meet the safety regulations for components of purifying water systems by using reliable, readily available NSF-certified fluid control products and solutions.  ASCO offers the broadest selection of pipe size, pressure or temperature ratings, and flow coefficients in the market, all of which meet the new rules. 

LEAD-FREE BRASS SOLENOID VALVES

ASCO offers lead-free brass construction in their general service solenoid valves with the same proven performance, reliability, and quick availability as their brass solenoid valve equivalents. 

PLASTIC AND COMPOSITE SOLENOID VALVES

Solenoid valves made of composites or plastics have the benefit of being lead-free from the outset. They come in a variety of pipe diameters and shapes, including those used in drinking water systems. For residential and commercial drinking water services, these valves are presently possibly the most popular option. ASCO offers a comprehensive selection of NSF-certified composite valves to fulfill the needs of the industry. 

STAINLESS STEEL VALVES

Stainless steel, another lead-free option, provides compliance in a durable metal body. This material's valves have the most extensive range of properties in categories, including pipe size, pressure or temperature ratings, and flow coefficient in the industry (Cv).

For more information, contact Ives Equipment.
877-768-1600
https://ivesequipment.com

Lead-Free Valves from ASCO and Ives Equipment

Lead is extremely toxic. Tight US safety regulations affect manufacturers of products such as drinking water fountains, reverse osmosis systems, coffee machines. and commercial kitchen equipment. A lead-free system cannot contain soldering flux with greater than 0.2% lead content, or more than a weighted average of 0.25% lead in the wetted surfaces of pipes, pipe fittings, plumbing fittings, and fixtures. Under the law, lead free is a cumulative concept.  In response, Ives Equipment and ASCO have coordinated to provide a range of valve choices that meet the new regulations, are NSF certified, and come in the industry’s broadest range of characteristics in terms of pipe size, pressure or temperature ratings, and flow coefficients.

For more information visit https://ivesequipment.com/leadfree.

White Paper: Breakthrough Solenoid Valve Technology for Upstream Oil and Gas Heating Equipment

Low-temperature stainless steel fuel shutoff valves are usually utilized for on/off control of fuel gas
within gas fuel trains in process heating system burners. These systems are widely used by oil and gas firms as well by as original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) that produce gas heating equipment or burner management systems (BMSs) and controls in upstream oil and gas pipelines and tanks.

In recent years, a new generation of solenoid valve technology has been changing the shutoff valve game. Their modern designs provide pipeline and tank heating systems with robust, durable performance; safety; and regulatory compliance — all while increasing efficiency and productivity.

Many operators in North America and beyond are moving away from using pneumatically operated shutoff valves on their pipelines and tank heaters. They’re replacing them instead with valves introduced within the last decade by a few manufacturers — all based on solenoid shutoff valve technologies. White paper courtesy of ASCO.

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DOWNLOAD THE FULL WHITE PAPER FROM THE

IVES EQUIPMENT WEBSITE HERE

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US Navy Supplier of MIL-SPEC Valves, Instrumentation, and Analyzers

Ives Equipment is an authorized US Navy supplier for ASCO, Worcester Valve, Niagara Meter (Venture Measurement), Siemens, and REOTEMP , registered under Cage Codes 1H855 and 6F024.

https://ivesequipment.com/navy
(877) 768-1600

How New Lead-Free Regulations Will Impact Your Selection Of Potable Water Valves

Bottom line: Get the lead out.

Recent legislation in several states has tightened regulation of lead content in the components of potable (drinkable) water treatment systems. Other states may well be considering similar moves. This pace of regulation seems unlikely to slacken.

This report examines the choices facing specifiers and purchasers of small solenoid valves for potable water systems. It weighs the advantage and disadvantages of brass, plastic, and stainless steel designs. Finally, it suggests the solutions that smart planners should consider for current and future use.

You can download the full report (courtesy of ASCO Valve) here, or you can view it below in the embedded viewer.

Lead Free Regulations Impact on Selection of Potable Water Valves from Ives Equipment

Solenoid Valve Operating Principle

Solenoid magnetic field

A solenoid is an electric output device that converts electrical energy into a linear mechanical force.

At its most basic level a solenoid is an electromagnetic coil that uses magnetism produced by the flow of current to physically move the armature of a solenoid. The armature that is movable can be a rod or a metallic arm. One of the most common uses of solenoids are as the operators of valves.

A plunger solenoid contains a movable iron rod that is inserted into a coiled cylinder. The rod is connected to a plate with two contacts. With the aid of a spring the contacts are normally open. When an electrical current passes through the coil, it generates a magnetic field that attracts the rod into the coil chamber. The movement of rod will move the contacts into a closed position. When the current is turned off the magnetic force is removed and the tension in the spring forces the rod back out to its original resting position. This back-and-forth motion of the rod to control a circuit is used to operate a variety of mechanical devices such as valve seats and pneumatic poppets.

Solenoid valve components

A solenoid valve is a combination of two basic functional units:

• The solenoid (electromagnet) described above.
• A valve body containing one or more orifices.

ASCO Redhat Solenoid Valve

Flow through an orifice is controlled by the movement of the core when the solenoid is energized or de-energized. The core is enclosed in a sealed tube, providing a compact, leak tight assembly.

This video provides a very basic visual understanding of the solenoid operating principle and how the mechanism works. From this video it is easy to understand how the linear movement created by the solenoid can be transformed into the movement necessary to open and close solenoid valves.

For more information about solenoid valves, contact:

Ives Equipment

http://www.ivesequipment.com

877-768-1600

Common Areas to Find Fluid Control Valves in Wine Production

Valves and controls play big role in wine quality

Wine making and craft breweries are becoming big business in the Mid-Atlantic region. Their growth leads to a need for continuous process improvement in fermentation, filtering, and bottling. Automation, with higher efficiency valves, sensors, and piping  becomes increasingly important as the enterprise grows. In wine making, process control is critical. Careful control of temperature, pressure, level and flow, and detection of solids, acidity, and sugars needs constant monitoring to assure the best quality and consistency.

A variety of fluid control valves are commonly used in the production of wine, both large scale production and smaller scale. These valves are found in many areas, from sanitary valves handling the product itself, to hot water valves for cleaning equipment, to pneumatic valves transmitting pneumatic signals to handling equipment.

Here is a quick video showing some typical areas where fluid control valves can be found in the wine making process.

For more information, contact:

Ives Equipment
www.ivesequipment.com
877-768-1600

Composite Solenoid Valves for Reverse Osmosis Water Systems

Typical reverse osmosis system
(courtesy of Wikipedia)

Reverse osmosis (RO) is one of the most popular methods for effective water purification. It has been used for years to purify contaminated water, including converting brackish or seawater to drinking water.

Reverse osmosis is a process in which dissolved inorganic solids (such as salts) are removed from a solution (such as water). This is accomplished by pushing the water through a semi permeable membrane, which allows only the water to pass, but not the impurities or contaminates.

Reverse Osmosis can deliver bottled-water quality safety and taste by removing over 99% of dissolved minerals, chlorine and contaminants. Many leading bottled-water companies actually use large-scale RO to produce their water.

Reverse osmosis systems are found in several drinking water applications from restaurant, food and beverage equipment to grocery store produce misting.

The ASCO Series 212 solenoid valve is designed for these type systems. The valves come with NSF approvals for use in drinking water systems and also is design with unique “FasN” quick connection system. The valves are designed to handle 150 psi up to 180 deg. F. and has low wattage coils in both AC and DC.

See the video below for an illustration of where these valves are used in RO systems.

Electronically Enhanced Solenoid Valves - Voltage Ranging Valves

Electronically Enhanced
Solenoid Valves
Voltage Ranging Valves
(courtesy of ASCO)

New power management technology is rewriting industry standards for reliability and power consumption of solenoid valve coils. The new technology solenoid valves accepts both AC and DC voltages while improving performance. Available in 2-way, 3-way and 4-way, these solenoid valves are designed to handle most fluid control applications.

The enhanced valves are designed to be drop in replacements for existing valves. There is no change to functional attributes such as flow, pressure, ambient & fluid temperatures or physical attributes such as envelope size and face-to-face dimensions. If you're looking to just switch out a coil,  enhanced coil kits are direct replacements for the old coil kits.

Here are the benefits to end customers:

Lower Power Consumption

• 1.0 watt (DC version) & 1.5 watts (AC/DC versions)
• Lowers energy cost up to 80% compared to standard solenoid valves 

RoHS 2 Compliant

• Satisfies CE Directives 2002/95/EC and 2001/65/EU (RoHS 2) for the restriction of hazardous substances 

Supervisory Current Compatible

• Suitable for systems employing supervisory currents not exceeding the following drop-out currents:
• 20mA (12-24V DC), 15mA (24-120V AC/DC) and 7mA (100-240V AC/DC) 
• Also suitable with devices having leakage currents not exceeding the drop-out currents noted above. 

Broad Voltage Ranges Reduce Inventory

• Available in 24-120V AC/DC, 100-240V AC/DC & 12-24V DC 
• Covers hundreds of global voltage requirements
• Simplifies product selection and reduces complexity
• Lowers inventory cost by eliminating need to stock both AC & DC products
• Includes 125VDC battery (AC/DC versions) & 24VDC battery (DC version) 

DC Performance Increased Up to 500% To Match AC Ratings 

• Transition from AC to DC without sacrificing performance
• Eliminates the need for separate AC & DC output cards
• Simplifies control schemes 

Integrated Surge Suppression

• Prolongs the life of the coil by suppressing external voltage spikes
• Lowers system cost by eliminating the need for additional surge protection 

Fit For Use In Rugged and Demanding Environments

• Wide ambient temperature range for hot and cold environments
• Enclosure Types 1 through 4X for indoor and outdoor applications o Optional Class 1, Division 2 coils available for hazardous locations 

No AC Hum

• Ideal for applications requiring quiet operation

Selecting Valves Used in Wine Production and Craft Brewing

Valves and Sensors
used in wine and
beer making.

Small wineries and craft breweries are appearing all over the Mid-Atlantic region. While mostly small in scale, these producers all have to refine their fermentation, filtering, and bottling processes using valves and process sensors. Controlling temperature, pressure, and flow is critical to any winery or brewery for product consistency and quality. 

Here is an excellent white paper by Scott Cameron of ASCO Valve describing the types of valves used and how they're used.

Selecting Valves to Improve Process Cooling in Winemaking and Other Industries from Ives Equipment