Cryogenic Regulators - Understanding Cryogenics and Associated Hazards

Cryogenic liquids are formed when gasses are converted into liquid form. They are liquefied gases that have a boiling point of -150°C (-238°F). As there is a substantial difference between the gas and surrounding environment, it requires a special equipment to contain these liquids. Typically, the arrangement consists of a pressure control system, a storage tank, piping required for fill, supply, one or more vaporizers, and vaporization.

Characteristics of Cryogenic Containers

The tank looks like a vacuum bottle that is manufactured to keep heat away from the liquid. The cryogenic liquid cylinders are vacuum jacketed pressure vessels that are insulated too for obvious reasons. Vaporization of the liquids is a continuous process due to heat leak of the containers. However, the rates of vaporization depend upon the volume of the stored product or design of the container. The containers holding these liquids are manufactured in accordance to the latest industry standards and comply with all the industrial cylinder regulations. They are fitted with insulated rigid or flexible lines that are used to remove the liquid from the containers and hence minimize the loss of the liquid product to gas. The cylinders are designed to dispense gases like Argon with standard CGA (Compressed Gas Association) outlets along with suitable cryogenic regulators. The cylinders have capacities between 80 and 450 liters of liquid and operate at pressures up to 350 psig.

Handling & Storage of Cryogenic Containers

The cylinders must be stored in a confined space where adequate ventilation is available. They should also be equipped with cryogenic regulators that control internal pressure build-up. Users must take care not to tamper with, remove, or plug any pressure relief device without proper monitoring. No unprotected body part must be exposed to un-insulated pipes or equipment containing these critical-natured products as the extremely cold metal causes the flesh to stick fast and tear when attempting to withdraw from it. Instead, experts suggest using a hand truck for moving these containers. The containers should always be held and stored in an upright position and must not be dropped or rolled on their sides. 

DO NOT USE ADAPTERS – as mentioned in the container’s caution instructions. Always use proper connection. Industry professionals suggest using a check valve or some protective apparatus on gas withdrawal systems to prevent reverse flow of the liquid. The piping must always be equipped with pressure relief devices to prevent the cryogenic liquids or cold gases from getting trapped in piping between valves.

Evergreen Midwest has been serving the industry with its industry-compliant valves and regulators since 1978 and adheres to the highest quality standards while delivering products to customers. For any of your industrial equipment requirements, especially gas regulators and valves, please feel free to contact us by phone at 1800.659.3358 or visit our website at https://www.evergreenmidwest.com/ to get an insight of all the products we provide.

Source - https://www.evergreenmidwest.com/blog/2017/07/03/understanding-cryogenics-and-the-associated-hazards/

Chlorine Valves - What Risks are Chlorine Valves Exposed to?

Chlorine valves are exposed to various risks referring to the chemical properties of the liquid: 

Hydroscopic: In case the water content in dry chlorine is more than 50 parts per million, ferric chlorides (CL3F3) and hydrochloric acid (HCL) are formed. The HCL is highly corrosive and has the potential to damage the piping system that are made from carbon steel while the CL3F3 can create problems for seating surfaces of Teflon.

Also, the liquid is classified as a TIH – Toxic by Inhalation and this property clearly indicates the critical nature of the substance and the job of the valves to keep the liquid inside without any leaks from bonnet joints, packing, and castings.

Inflammability: Chlorine, by itself is neither flammable nor explosive. However, it may support combustion under specific conditions. Gas, as well as liquid chlorine, tend to react explosively with hydrocarbon-based lubricants. The valves must be prepared and properly cleaned for servicing the substance packed within. In addition, proper care must be taken while packaging and transporting these cylinders.

Dual Phase Flow: These are known to cause cavitation and flashing which is problematic for valves because of the energy that is generated inside the valve could potentially damage stems and trim.

Oil and Grease: Chlorine sometimes can react explosively with organic materials including oil and grease that comes from pumps, valves, air compressors, pipe thread lubricants, or oil-diaphragm instrumentation.

Hydrogen: Chlorine if mixed with hydrogen can become potentially explosive within a specific range of concentration levels. If the cylinder is placed along with hydrogen containing cylinders, valves play an important part in securing the liquid/gas within and preventing hazardous situations.

Temperature: The volume of chlorine increases with increasing temperature. To avoid this volumetric expansion, there should be precautions that are taken to keep the temperature at a consistent and appropriate temperature.

Auto-refrigeration: When chlorine is released, it tends to escape rapidly. However, the pressure in the cylinder attempts to equalize with that of the outer atmosphere.

Valves are subjected to critical conditions which demand extra carefulness and safety standards. These chlorine valves must be bought from a reliable industrial valve dealer like Evergreen Midwest, who has been serving high quality and durable valves and regulators to the industry since 1978. Evergreen Midwest has a wide range of valves that are essentially required for critical operations. Please visit: www.evergreenmidwest.com or call 800.659.3358 to know more details. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Source - https://www.evergreenmidwest.com/blog/2017/07/11/what-risks-are-chlorine-valves-exposed-to/

Valve Uses - The Dos and Do Nots of Valve Use

 Do:

Proper care of compressed gas cylinder valves includes (but is not limited to) the following:

• Store valves packaged so cleanliness is maintained and adequate protection against damage is provided.
• Visually inspect all valves for leakage and damage at every refill.
• Reach out to your supplier if the valve is malfunctioning and the problem cannot be diagnosed.
• Inspect PRD before installing and refilling.
• Verify the valve is suitable for both the cylinder and its intended use.
• Open valve slowly to prevent development of high pressure surges and heat generation on down-stream equipment.
• Only use original manufacturers parts and assemblies when replacing PRD (unless the interchange of parts is proven by manufacturer testing).
• Double check all markings when replacing a PRD, ensure only the proper device is installed.
• Ensure when the cylinder is not in use, even if empty, the valve is in the closed position with the outlet cap in place and transport cap installed.
• Verify the outlet and inlet threads, especially the first thread, are not damaged on the valve before installing into a cylinder. A damaged first inlet thread could adversely affect insertion. If damage cannot be repaired by manually deburring with a file, replace the valve.
• Carefully handle valves to avoid damage, especially to the threads.
• Only specially developed lubricants prepared for oxygen service should be used on tapered threaded inlet connections.

                                                           DO NOT:
This list is not intended to be comprehensive – review maintenance activity with the valve supplier before beginning work if there is any uncertainty on the part of the user.Proper care of compressed gas cylinder valves includes (but is not limited to) the following:

• Do not use a damaged valve where the function or integrity might be affected.
• Do not continue to use an abnormally functioning (becoming noisy or progressively harder to operate) valve.
• Do not try to recondition a valve until the design and operations of the valve are completely understood and proper tools are available.
• Do not reuse a valve having a tapered inlet thread with less than four (4) full threads showing after it is installed into the cylinder hand-tight.
• Do not use an automated operator, wrench, adapter, or other tool to obtain a greater mechanical advantage on hand-wheel operated valves without first consulting with the valve manufacturer to ensure applied torque does not exceed safe operating torque for the valve.
• Do not lubricate valves internal surfaces with the pressure boundary without first consulting with the valve manufacturer.
• Do not lubricate oxygen service valve threads (to cylinder threads) for installation in straight-threaded aluminum.
• Do not attempt to adjust spring-loaded PRDs, as they are not adjustable once set at the factory. Adjustments could lead to damage to the PRD and to the valve.
• Do not lift, drag, or move cylinder using the valve handwheel as a handle.
• Do not put a reconditioned valve into service until it has been fully tested to this standard.
• Do not use internal operating replacement parts unless they were supplied by the valve manufacturer.

Source - https://www.evergreenmidwest.com/blog/2018/03/26/valve-uses-the-dos-and-do-nots-of-valve-use/

Understanding Irrigation Master Valves and Their Wirings

Master valves are essential equipment when considering the installation of an irrigation system. It is an electric valve that completely controls the water flow from the supply point. The valve helps reduce water leakage from a leaky station valve as it supplies pressure to it. As the name suggests, it masters the water supply in case your irrigation main line damages. 

A master electric valve is similar to your station valves, but instead of being installed in the downstream from the main line, it is installed at the front of the line in the upstream and is connected to the master pump in the controller.

Let us now understand the master/pump valves wiring:

Usually the timers in the sprinkler systems supply power to a relay so that it could send power to the sprinkler pump. The sprinkler systems use secondary water and are supplied water at very low temperatures.

Master valves are essential equipment when considering the installation of an irrigation system. It is an electric valve that completely controls the water flow from the supply point. The valve helps reduce water leakage from a leaky station valve as it supplies pressure to it. As the name suggests, it masters the water supply in case your irrigation main line damages. A master electric valve is similar to your station valves, but instead of being installed in the downstream from the main line, it is installed at the front of the line in the upstream and is connected to the master pump in the controller.

Let us now understand the master/pump valves wiring:

Usually the timers in the sprinkler systems supply power to a relay so that it could send power to the sprinkler pump. The sprinkler systems use secondary water and are supplied water at very low temperatures.

• The circuit is connected with the wires from the relay – one wire to the common terminal and one to the valve terminal. The relay gets power when the timer activates it.
• On receiving power, the relay closes contacts and power goes to the pump to activate it. The selector on the pump allows using 110 volts, otherwise it is pre-wired for 230 volts.
• At the same time when the controller/timer sends power to the sprinkler pump, it also sends power to the sprinkler master valve and opens it. So, when the pump creates pressure in the system, this opens the sprinkler zone and waits for water.

This is the complete cycle. On completion of this cycle, power to the sprinkler valves is shut off by the timer/controller. At the same time, it shuts off the power that is supplied to the relay and the pump. Although it varies from timer to timer, most of the pump valve circuits are by default on the sprinkler controller/ timer.

Its configuration is technically simple. However, users no longer have to select the zone to which the valve is connected to, as now the option will completely depend on the controller selected when you set up the controller for the first time. Evergreen Midwest is an online store that stocks all types of industrial valves and regulators and has been serving the industry since 1973. To place an order for master valves, please call us at 1800.659.3358 or visit our website at https://www.evergreenmidwest.com/master-valves.html

Source - https://www.evergreenmidwest.com/blog/2017/07/18/understanding-irrigation-master-valves-and-their-wirings/

Check Valves - Things All You Should Know

Check valves are a kind of valves that serve multiple purposes and are an essential valve required in almost all the industries. Practically, there is no industry where these are not installed on the operating systems. Valves in general are a critical component of any machinery and therefore must be selected after proper research for quality, durability, and sustainability. Your decision will greatly impact the functioning of machineries and the ultimate outcome of the project the valves are used for.

Construction of a Check Valve

The basic construction consists of a bonnet, valve body, and a disk that is attached to a hinge and moves away from the valve seat to allow the fluid to flow forward and returns when the upstream flow is stopped and thereby preventing reverse flow. The folding disc valves have a disk that consists of two halves that are attached in the middle and fold backwards once the upstream flow is initiated. When the upstream flow stops, these two halves spontaneously close the flow path. In lift-check valves, the disk comes in the form of a piston which is moved out of the path during upstream flow and returns by gravity to stop the flow. In case of ball valves, the disc is in the form of a ball.

Applications of Check Valves/ One-Directional Valves

These valves are generally installed in operations in which there are chances of total or partial shut-down of a compressor or pumps due to backflow of gases or liquids. So, these types of valves are most commonly found in gas systems and certain other applications where liquid flow has to be controlled.

This list is a necessary go-through before placing an order as it gives a complete insight of the utilities these valves can be put to:

• Be careful while selecting the size as properly sized valves contributes to longer life of the valves, pumps, as well as other related components.

• While an oversized valve could cause an early wear or failure of certain essential components, an undersized valve results in high loss in pressure, excessive noise, and even vibration.

• They are essential for smooth operation of fluid pumping systems.

• They can efficiently reduce Water Hammer condition that can badly damage pipes, Water hammer is caused due to pressure surge because of liquid forcing to stop suddenly while in motion.

• A properly sized check valve guarantees to provide the prescribed flow while consuming minimal amount of energy which makes it truly cost and energy-efficient.

• It is utmost important to keep a check on the valves for their size before being used for low flow applications. This will ensure that the valves are completely open on maximum fluid flow.

• There are soft seats that offer bubble tight leakage control and the metal sealing surfaces permit some amount of leakage to seep through.

At Evergreen Midwest, you will find a wide range of check valves. Please visit https://www.evergreenmidwest.com/check-valves.html to select a specific type that suits your requirements.

Source - https://www.evergreenmidwest.com/blog/2017/08/28/all-you-should-know-about-check-valves/

Latex and Mylar Balloon Fillers

Evergreen Midwest Co. carries a wide variety of Balloon Fillers, including Latex and Mylar Fillers!

Our balloon fillers are the ultimate product, they ease the job while filling a large quantity of balloons within a few minutes. These balloon fillers are designed to fill balloons to uniform size to prevent the worry of overfilling, causing loss of materials and financial loss too.  Our balloon fillers feature a single unit to fill both Latex Balloons and Mylar Balloons!

We have large variety of Balloon Fillers, including inflators with or without hand-tight connections. We also carry content gauges, so you never have to fear running out of helium unexpectedly again!

Easing efforts of people involved, saving time for other important applications!

Reliable and durable solutions for small-scale and large-scale applications alike!

For more information regarding our Balloon Fillers, please visit https://www.evergreenmidwest.com/balloon-fillers.html, or call us: 800-659-3358.

Source - https://www.evergreenmidwest.com/blog/2018/01/25/evergreen-midwest-co-latex-and-mylar-balloon-fillers/