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

Level Instrumentation for Your Entire Industrial Plant

Siemens level controls.

Whether you are measuring liquids, slurries or bulk solids, Siemens provides the ideal level measuring instruments for every job. Siemens level measurement devices set the standard in their respective disciplines for water, cement, mining, chemical, petrochemicals, food, beverage, pharmaceutical and other industries.

Point Level

Siemens level switches for point level measurement are distinguished by their outstanding performance. Their robust design ensures reduced cost of maintenance, spare parts, and downtime. Siemens level measurement instruments offer easy commissioning, connection to alarm or control systems, long service life, and low operating costs. Technologies include capacitance, rotary paddle, ultrasonic and vibrating.

Continuous

The product portfolio for continuous level measurement covers both contacting and non-contacting measurement. Radar, ultrasonic and gravimetric technologies are available for the non-contacting applications. Capacitance, guided wave radar and hydrostatic technologies are available for the contacting applications. As well, don’t forget that the safest engineered level measurement solution includes switches for back-up, overfill, low level and dry run protection. Technologies include radar, guided wave radar, ultrasonic, gravimetric, capacitance, and hydrostatic.

Interface

Siemens broad portfolio includes a large number of devices for many interface measurement applications, and includes the following products. SITRANS LC500, Pointek CLS 100, CLS 200, CLS 300 and CLS 500 are capacitance instruments for a wide range of tasks. The SITRANS LG uses guided wave radar technology.

Watch the entertaining video below to get a better idea of what level solutions Siemens (and Ives) has to offer.

Remote Telemetry Outstation / Data Logger for Water Utilities

Technolog Cello 4S data logger.

The Technolog Cello 4S data logger monitors, records and transmits multiple site parameters over 2G (SMS/GPRS) or 3G networks, and provides a comprehensive multi-application solution for the Water Utilities and Industry.

The Cello 4S can have up to two pressure, eight user programmable digital or analogue inputs and two individually switched 12 Volt outputs for powering 4-20mA loops. Setup is made easy through an optional WiFi communication interface, and remote set-up, monitoring and control is facilitated through locally deployed PMAC software or web based WaterCore platform.

Technolog Cello 4S installed.

The Cello 4S provides closed loop control of pressure reducing valves, pressure sustaining valves and variable speed pumps, high accuracy battery monitoring for optimal asset management, is housed in a sturdy, portable, and waterproof to IP68 enclosure, offers 5 year battery life (typically) and includes water temperature measurement.

Download a specification sheet directly from the Ives Equipment website here.

Or, view the specification sheet below:

Technolog Water Utility Datalogger Cello 4S from Ives Equipment

Industrial pH Control Basics

pH sensor courtesy of HF Scientific

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.

pH display
courtesy of HF Scientific 

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.

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.