Are you searching for the right valves to control your fluid pressure and flow? Here’s why pressure-independent valves are the best solution for you. First, pressure independent valves are used to measure and then regulate the flow of liquids and gases with high accuracy. That means that they can help you lower your energy costs by reducing unnecessary leakage, heat loss, or air contamination due to mismatched temperatures. Second, they are commonly made of metal and alloys such as steel, stainless steel, brass or aluminum.This makes them quite durable to wear and tear so that they last longer than other types of valves.
Working with Pressure Differentials
At its most basic, a pressure-independent valve is a device that is typically connected to two fluid sources that separate the two and direct them independently. The pressure created by one of the sources is offset by the other and any downstream system will have stable conditions no matter what happens upstream. But, don’t be fooled into thinking that the valve itself provides pressure compensation when it only compensates flow; they are completely different functions.
The Advantage of PIV Technology
PIV technology does not depend on the pressure or flow from any other valve upstream in the system. When there is an obstruction upstream and valves need to be closed, PIV will continue to operate at full capacity. For this reason, PIV is regarded as the best solution for fluid control. However, if you’re using a regulator downstream of the PIV you’ll want to turn it down because you’re going to get more water coming out than expected. In most cases, people who have an existing pump that provides pressure to their sprinkler systems would rather stay with the current setup since they don’t want to lose pressure.
A few customers report that they have switched from traditional valves to Pressure Independent Valves and that they like them better than before. The installation is relatively easy and can be done by hand so no special tools are needed.
How to Get Started With PIV
First, find out what type of valve you need. Common types are pneumatic and electric. Electric valves are versatile and easy to install but require an electrical power source. Pneumatic valves, which usually use compressed air, work with existing compressed air systems in place on a facility’s industrial piping network. There are four basic valve types: 1) Open-center pressure; 2) Pilot-controlled pressure; 3) Flow-control pressure; 4) Differential-pressure.
Choosing the Right Valve Design
The valve design is an important factor to consider. In most applications, the valve stem opens up when pressure is applied, opening up the valve and allowing flow. This type of valve design is called an open system. But in some applications, flow must continue through the pipe even when there’s no pressure on the pipe. When this is required, a different type of design called a closed-system valve is needed.
