Specialty Valves for Control and Regulation in Fractional Flow Applications

fractional flow control valve
Fractional flow valves are intended for precise control at
very low flow rates.
Image courtesy Low Flow Division, Jordan Valve

Valves are available in a remarkable array of sizes and types, their variety driven by a combination of diverse application requirements and manufacturers willing to fulfill those requirements. One application subset, of which some knowledge is useful, is the requirement for accurate and reliable control involving very low flow rates.

The Low Flow Division of Jordan Valve specializes in control valves and pressure regulators for processes where very low flow rates are a requirement. The company's products cross the boundaries of many industry sectors, with variants applicable to many uses.

  • Back Pressure
  • Chemical Injection or Metering
  • Flow Control
  • Corrosive Media
  • Cryogenic
  • High Pressure
  • High Temperature
  • Mixing or Diverting
  • Natural and Industrial Gas
  • Offshore
  • Pilot Plant
  • Pressure Reducing
  • Steam
  • Research
  • Zero Fugitive Emission
A number of installation and operation considerations may apply to these specialized valves that are different or more stringent than for larger flow rated valves.
  • Clearance within the trim may be very small, to provide precise control of low flow rates. Valves should generally be applied to clean fluids.
  • When installed, all piping should be properly cleaned, flushed, or blown out to remove all foreign matter.
  • A line strainer of particularly fine mesh, in accordance with installation instructions for the particular valve in use, may be required for protection  and to maintain proper operation.
  • Other instructions that may apply specifically to an application or a valve product should be followed to assure best performance and longevity
There is more to learn. Share your fluid control requirements and challenges with valve specialists. Leverage your own process knowledge and experience with their product application expertise to develop an effective solution.

Coriolis Mass Flow Fluid Dosage Controller

Coriolis mass flow fluid dosage controller
Cori-Fill Coriolis mass flow fluid dosage controller
can improve fluid process throughput and quality.
Image courtesy Bronkhorst USA
Mixing and combining fluids in a process can require high levels of measurement and control accuracy to achieve consistent results. Increasing a system's levels of  accuracy can translate into higher efficiency and less waste of fluid components that may be a substantial portion of product cost.

A Coriolis flow meter measures mass flow directly, providing a highly accurate means of controlling fluid dosage without the need to depend on pump displacement or weighing as a means of controlling component additions.

The accuracy and consistency of dosing and metering pumps is impacted by temperature, air entrapment in liquids, component wear, and changing pressure. Utilizing the Cori-Fill mass flow dosage controller, from Bronkhorst USA, puts in place an integrated solution with flow meter, PID controller and control valve that overcomes many of the shortfalls of other technologies.

Numerous advantages accrue with this strategy (from Improving Dosing and Metering Pump Performance, www.bronkhorst.com/blog/improving-dosing-and-metering-pump-performance/).
  • Direct mass flow control of the flow
  • Mass flow dosing is independent of temperature and pressure, in contrast to the volumetric dosing when only a pump is used
  • Accurate delivery mitigating normal pump issues
  • Alarm functionality of low flow
  • Preventative maintenance based on pump performance over time
  • Consistent flow measurement based on actual not assumed numbers
There is more to learn about the use and advantages of Coriolis mass flow controllers. Additional information is contained in the document included below. Share your flow measurement and control requirements and challenges with a process measurement specialist. Develop effective solutions by leveraging your own process knowledge and experience with their product application expertise.


Communicate With HART Devices Using a Smart Phone

Bluetooth modem for Smart device communication with HART transmitters
The HM-BLE modem enables smart device communications
between HART devices and a smart phone.
Image courtesy ProComSol, Ltd
The HART communications software from ProComSol is based on the SDC-625 software from the HART Communication Foundation. Since its release in 2007, the software has developed into a full featured, stable, and reliable platform through the open source development process. Years of in-field use and user feedback are incorporated into the current version that provides full configuration saving and download. The ease of use and functionality of the package delivers benefits to any facility utilizing HART enabled devices.

A recent release now adds an iOS version of the product to the ProComSol offering, the first iOS based Smart Device Communicator Application for HART instruments. The new version brings the features and functionality of the popular DevCom android app to iPhone users.
  • Uses the registered DD files from the FieldComm Group
  • Complete access to all features of the device DD including Methods
  • Monitor PV, Multi-variables, and Device Status
  • View and edit device Variables
  • The most cost-effective DD based handheld HART communication solution available
More information is included below. A wireless modem, the HM-BLE, enables simple connection between smart phone and HART transmitter. Share your process measurement and control challenges with product application specialists, leveraging your own knowledge and experience with their expertise to develop effective solutions.



Combination Magnetic Level Gauge and Liquid Level Transmitter

combination magnetic liquid level gauge and guided wave radar transmitter
This combination of guided wave radar level transmitter
and magnetic level gauge can be further customized
to suit almost any process application.
Image courtesy ABB K-Tek
Process operations involving liquids contained in tanks and vessels invariably need instruments that provide information about the degree to which the tank is full....how much process liquid is in the tank. It is common to have a need for multiple signals or indicators, utilized in the process monitoring and control scheme for differing purposes. A continuous liquid level signal from a transmitter provides remote indication of remaining tank capacity or a measure of tank contents. Liquid level switches can be wired directly into other control circuits for safety or operational control of other machinery supplying or draining the tank. Local operators can benefit from a visual indication of tank liquid level to verify process step progress. Obtaining all this process related information from the tank can require numerous separate tank connections, fittings and space for service and maintenance access. A good solution is available.

K-Tek, an ABB brand, combines a guided wave radar transmitter and a magnetic level indicator into a single compact instrument with one set of tank connections. The instrument can be custom configured in a number of ways, with accessories that can be added to suit any application. Service valves, additional transmitters, level switches and more can be added to the instrument at the time of ordering to minimize first cost, installation time, potential leak points, fittings, piping, space requirements and more. The datasheet included below provides more detail on the available configuration options, but you should share your level measurement and control challenges with application experts for a knowledgeable recommendation. Combine your own process knowledge and experience with their product application expertise to develop an effective solution.