Important Applications of Industrial Fluid Controllers

Fluid controllers are essential instruments utilized in the fluids measurement industry to regulate liquid, gas, steam, and powder substances. Flow controllers can work electromagnetically or mechanically when controlling fluids in tubes, through tubes, and from tanks. Most flow control types depend on the diaphragm, ball, or plate barrier that acts mechanically. Either of these components can be removed or inserted in the flow system where the media is passing through. While other flow controllers allow the moderate flow of fluid, others are only designed to either shut the flow completely or allow maximum media flow. 

Inflow control valve selection, the type of material used to design controllers, is critical if you want to select the right type. The tubing or pipe diameter, width between flanges, and flow rate determine the size of the flow controllers. Now that we’ve defined a flow controller let’s look at the various types of flow controllers and their applications in flow measurement. 

Fluid Flow Control Valve Types and Their Applications 

Aerosol Flow Controllers 

These types of flow controllers are ideally designed to dispense aerosol can contents. The stem and the housing are two components found in aerosol types of flow controllers. Actuator type, output type, valve size, and materials used to design these flow controllers are key specifications determining the type of application. The condition and the characteristics of the media are also considered. Aerosol flow controllers are used for dispensing products packed in aerosol cans such as ointments, creams, liquids, gases, cleaning agents, etc. 

Air Logic Flow Control Valve 

Air logic fluid controllers either work electromagnetically or mechanically in pneumatic systems to control airflow. These flow controllers can be used where electrical control is impractical or in hazardous atmospheres instead of electrical control. Key specifications include the number of ports, the material used to create the flow controller, the type of actuator used, port thread size, input voltage, switching speed, and pressure rating. These flow controller types are used in e-stops, one-shot valves, pilot valves, and other pneumatic systems.

Balancing Flow Controllers 

Balancing flow controllers are ideal flow control systems used to divide flow into multiple and equal portions when regulating fluid flow control. The several factors that have to be considered when selecting these types of flow control meters include port connections, the number of ports, and the type of material used in the flow system. Fluid power systems and HVAC are examples of applications that use balancing fluid flow controller types. Such industries include commercial cooling/heating systems for adjusting temperatures in various conditions. In double-acting cylinders, these flow control types are used as a counterbalancing force. 

Ball Control Valves 

These types of fluids measurement controllers allow total closure or opening of flow in a pipe stream. They are quarter-turn flow controllers that utilize swiveling ported spheres. The degree of flow regulation is made possible using specially designed ball control valves. When considering which type of ball control valve to buy for application, you have to look at port connections, port configuration, seat, materials used to design the flow controller, and the stem packing. 

Practically, anywhere a flow must shut off, such as hydraulic systems, compressed-air lines, or high-pressure systems, ball flow controllers are used. Because the port can precisely match the pipe diameter, these flow control valves offer low head-loss characteristics. Although ball valves are more expensive to buy and care for than butterfly valves, they seal much better. In addition, ball flow control valves offer a visual indication of the valve status since they are usually actuated with a lever. 

Blind Flow Controllers 

When you are looking for a flow control valve for stopping fluid flow from entering through the pipeline, then linear blind flow controllers or blind valves are what you need—used to separate sections of a pipeline, blind flow controllers used mainly by the oil and gas industries. These types of flow controllers are also called piping blinds with port connections, actuator type, valve size, and the material used to make them, seal, its seat, and lining, being key specifications. Offshore platforms and ships commonly use blind flow controllers. They make ideal flow controllers because they visually indicate immediately if the pipe is open or closed. This is especially essential when carrying out maintenance in flow systems. 

Butterfly Flow Control Valves 

These flow control types utilize swinging center-mounted circular flaps, which move into and out of the flow stream. They offer several specifications, including valve size, port connection, stem packing, the material used to make the flow controller, its seat, disc, and seal. Applications where butterfly valves are used, include power plants, wastewater plants, and process plants which use very large diameter pipelines for regulation/isolation and flow shutoff purposes. However, compared to ball controllers of the same capacity, butterfly valves are hard to operate in high pressure and flow. 

Conclusion 

Without proper fluids measurement and control using flow controllers, it will be difficult to maintain the accuracy and quality of the flow. It is also important to match the right type of flow controller with its proper application to avoid irregular regulation of fluids and gases. 

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