Compressed air systems power all different sorts of machinery and applications, all over the world. Compressed air can be a highly effective power source, even in areas removed from other sources of fuel.
However, condensate management in and removal from compressed air systems is an important aspect of maintenance and upkeep. Automatic drain valves may be able to help your system with that.
Condensates and Compressed Air Systems Don’t Mix
Moisture and other condensates naturally precipitate out of air when it is compressed. However, their presence in compressed air systems is not welcome because they can damage the system in a wide range of ways, not limited to the following:
● Risk of corrosion to the system’s components.
● Damage to pneumatic control parts, valves, and cylinders.
● Compromised production efficiency.
● Obstruction of circulation tubing.
For these reasons, compressed air systems typically use a dehydration system to remove as much of the condensates as possible.
However, it is still often necessary to outfit the system with drain valves in critical areas to remove and release the remaining condensates.
There are a variety of different sorts of drain valves, including manual drain valves, as well as automatic valves which include subcategories such as timed valves, float valves, and electronic valves.
What Is an Automatic Drain Valve?
In contrast to manual drain valves, which must be opened by an operator, automatic drain valves release help to drain moisture and other condensates from a compressed air system without the need for direct human intervention.
Automatic valves typically use sensors, floats, or timers to drain moisture as needed or at regular intervals to prevent the accumulation of condensates within a compressed air system.
Timered, electric automatic valves typically use a solenoid coil to open and close the valve. These are highly economical but can become obstructed by the presence of heavy or coarse particulate matter in the condensates of the system.
Motorized automatic valves are typically much tougher and better able to cope with the presence of particulate concentrations in compressed air condensates. Some automatic valves are also known as zero-loss drain valves. These are used because they do not allow compressed air to escape along with the released condensates; instead using gravity to allow condensates to collect before they can be drained.
Problems Solved by Automatic Drain Valves
The primary advantage of automatic valves is that they eliminate the need for constant operator supervision of a compressed air system, automating the release of condensates.
However, automatic drain valves also:
● Prevent condensate-related damage, like other forms of drain valves.
● Can eliminate condensate accumulation, which can result in costly maintenance, downtime, and repairs.
● Can help eliminate hydraulic shock.
● Some (zero loss automatic valves) can help eliminate the loss of compressed air.
Where Can I Find High-Quality Automatic Drain Valves
Air & Vacuum Process, at AirVacuumProcess.com, carries a variety of automatic drain valves, including electric, motorized, and zero-loss models from Van Air and Robo Drain. For more information about these drain valves and their features, visit their website via the link above or contact them at 866-660-0208.
