Motorized Ball Valves

[sbradt]

There are a few comments on past posts regarding motorized ball valves instead of solenoid controlled valves for glycol lines. Does anyone want to add anything on the merits of these in general or about the quality of the ones offered by GW Kent specifically. Do they provide a gentler shutoff than solenoid controlled valves (assuming one doesn't spring for the slow closing models)?

[alanb]

I am slowly swapping my redhats to motorized ball valves from grainger, DynaQuip brand. I have 2 running so far for almost a year and am swapping 2 more in the next few days. They are not cheap but so far Ive not needed to even look at one for any issues. I find the asco red hats to be a big problem if you dont have a perfect glycol set up. Any little spec of dirt sticks them open. The ball valves have wide open flow at whatever size, 3/4,1/2 inch whatever.

Feel free to email me
alan@bluepointbrewing.com

[dast]

We sell a lot of actuated ball valves to this application.
The benefit you get is a full bore through the valve so no flow restritions or pressure drops. This also eliminate the problems with particles that can jam the servo chanels on the solenoid valve.
You can also hand manouver the valve if needed. If you for some reason need to change the actuator you can do thid without shutting down you system (so no need for a manual valve on each side of the acuated valve). You can also put an actuator on any of our hand valve because they are the same.
If you use an electric actuator you have a slow opening and closing, 5 seconds from fully open to fully closed so no water hammers any more. This valve you also could open only partially so that you can restrict the flow to the fermentor.
If you use a pneumatic actuator you still get the quick opening and closing but this could be slowed down with an air restrictor. This alternative is also very popular because you don't have to modify you controller you just send the normal signal to an air solenoid (very low cost) intead of the fluid solenoid. You can now have all solenoids in one place or on an air-manifold. Then you only run air hoses out to the fermenters , so no need of running conduit.
These actuators and valves (at least ours) are made of plastic so no corrosion and less or no condensation.

Dan Strömberg

Market Segment Manager

Cooling & Refrigeration

GF Piping Systems, Georg Fischer LLC

[gitchegumee]

Our cheap, open frame, NEMA 1 solenoids have been in place for 10 years now with only a single failure on six fermenters. Why wouldn't you just put in a fine strainer on the glycol distribution header? This is just common sense-good practice and costs a fraction of other more complicated options. ASCO makes valves that have a button on them to manually actuate; as well as slow-operating valves. I see no real advantage to motorized valves. JMHO. KISS principles work best for me.