UniTorq Unleashed: High-Performance Valve Automation

Industrial valve automation is pivotal in optimizing processes and ensuring safety across numerous sectors. From petrochemical plants to wastewater treatment facilities, the precise control of liquids and gases hinges on the flawless operation of automated valves. Proper valve automation ensures that substances flow at the correct rate, pressure, and direction, which is not just a matter of efficiency but often safety. Any oversight or malfunction can result in leaks, overflows, or even catastrophic system failures, posing risks to equipment, the environment, and, most importantly, human lives.

Furthermore, in an era where industries continually seek to enhance productivity and reduce downtime, efficient valve automation acts as the linchpin. When correctly integrated and maintained, automated valves minimize manual interventions, reduce human error, and enable rapid responses to changing conditions, streamlining operations and bolstering the reliability and longevity of industrial systems. In essence, proper industrial valve automation is not a mere convenience—it's imperative for safety and optimal operational performance.

UniTorq stands prominently in the valve actuator industry, consistently delivering electric and pneumatic solutions. Many in the field recognize UniTorq's commitment to quality, precision, and innovative approaches. The company values detail-oriented work and places a strong emphasis on customer satisfaction.  They've expanded their services to encompass complete valve automation. From accurately sizing actuators to assembling valves and actuators, it undergoes meticulous attention and rigorous testing in every process stage. Those who collaborate with UniTorq find more than just a product; they discover a partnership rooted in expertise enriched by years of experience.

To learn more about UniTorq valve automation services, visit this link.

UniTorq

https://unitorq.com

770-446-7074

Size It Right: Understanding the Risks of Oversized Valve Actuators

Undersizing valve actuators often lead to obvious problems, such as the inability to fully open or close a valve, which can significantly impact a system's operation and safety. However, the pitfalls of over-sizing valve actuators are less obvious but equally important to consider. Over-sized actuators, while seemingly a safer bet, bring many challenges, including higher costs, increased energy consumption, slower response times, and more. This article will delve into the often-overlooked disadvantages of oversizing valve actuators, shedding light on the importance of selecting the appropriate size for optimal system performance and efficiency.

Over-sizing valve actuators carries its own set of disadvantages.

• Higher Costs: Larger actuators are more expensive regarding the actual equipment, installation, and maintenance costs, unnecessarily increasing a project's capital and operational expenditure.
• Increased Energy Consumption: Larger actuators require more power to operate. This results in higher energy consumption, both economically and environmentally unfavorable.
• Slower Response Time: Oversized actuators may not respond as quickly to control signals as correctly sized ones, leading to slower operation and reduced system performance.
• Increased Wear and Tear: Operating an oversized actuator at less than its optimal capacity can lead to increased wear and tear because it may not operate in its most efficient range, leading to more frequent maintenance and repairs.
• Larger Footprint: Oversized actuators will occupy more space, which might be a critical issue in places where space is a premium.
• Higher Inertia: Larger actuators have higher inertia, which can make them less responsive to changes in control signals, making the control of the valve more complex and may lead to instability in the controlled process.
• Difficulty in Controlling Smaller Movements: Oversized actuators may have trouble controlling smaller valve movements as they are designed for larger forces and torques, leading to a lack of precision in the control of the valve.
• Compatibility Issues: There may be compatibility issues with the existing infrastructure, requiring additional modifications to the system to accommodate the larger actuator.
• Increased Weight: The increased weight of an oversized actuator may require additional support structures, increasing the complexity and cost of the installation.
• Suboptimal Performance: The actuator may not operate as efficiently as a properly sized one, leading to suboptimal performance of the valve and the overall system.

Selecting the correct actuator size is crucial for optimal system performance and efficiency. A proper sizing analysis is always recommended to choose the most appropriate actuator for a specific application.

UniTorq

https://unitorq.com

770-446-7074

The Advantages of Using Anodized Aluminum in Industrial Rack and Pinion Actuators

Rack and pinion actuators, widely used in industrial applications, deliver precise linear motion control. The preferred material for their construction is anodized aluminum due to its specific properties that enhance the performance and longevity of the actuators.

Anodized aluminum is lightweight, reducing the overall weight of the actuator system - a crucial factor in weight-sensitive industries like aerospace and automotive. Despite its lightweight, anodized aluminum retains considerable strength, making it suitable for applications demanding strength and durability.

The anodizing process converts the aluminum surface into a corrosion-resistant, anodic oxide finish, providing excellent protection from rust and other environmental corrosion. The thickness of this oxide layer depends on the type of anodizing—Type II or Type III—each providing different levels of corrosion resistance, surface hardness, and color vibrancy.

Type III, often called hard anodizing, forms a thicker oxide layer than Type II. This enhanced thickness results in superior wear resistance and durability, making it suitable for heavy-duty, high-wear applications. It also offers better resistance to high temperatures and produces a surface harder than tool steel. The downside of Type III is that it's less amenable to vibrant coloring due to its denser, less porous oxide layer and requires lower temperatures, higher current densities, and longer processing times.

In contrast, Type II anodizing, while producing a thinner oxide layer, is easier to color, making it more aesthetically adaptable. It's also a more cost-effective process, favoring applications where budget is a significant factor.

Anodized aluminum also offers high thermal conductivity, allowing effective heat dispersion, which is essential in applications where high heat could harm the actuator or shorten its lifespan. Furthermore, anodizing enhances the surface hardness of aluminum, which is beneficial for actuators operating in high wear-and-tear environments.

While anodized aluminum is a common choice, it's not universal, as the material selection depends on the application's specific requirements, environmental conditions, cost, and design constraints. Aesthetics also play, especially in consumer-facing applications, as anodized aluminum can be easily dyed to fit various color preferences.

The choice between Type II and Type III anodizing depends on the application requirements. Type III is the better choice for applications requiring maximum hardness and wear resistance, while Type II is preferable for cost-sensitive or aesthetically-focused applications.

https://unitorq.com
770-446-7074

Understanding Operating Torque and Seating Torque

A butterfly valve is a type of quarter-turn valve that regulates fluid flow. It comprises a rotating disc in the middle of a pipe and an actuator to turn it parallel or perpendicular to the flow. The disc is attached to a stem operated by the actuator.

The two key aspects that play a crucial role in the operation and functionality of these valves are operating torque and seating torque:

• Operating Torque: This is the torque required to rotate the butterfly valve disc from the fully open position to the fully closed position (or vice versa). This torque is directly related to the fluid pressure and friction caused by the moving parts of the valve. It generally stays relatively constant throughout the open/close cycle, although it can fluctuate slightly depending on the valve's position and the fluid's flow rate and pressure.
• Seating Torque: Seating torque, also known as closing or breakout torque, is the additional torque needed to fully seat or unseat the valve (i.e., to move the disc from nearly fully closed to fully closed or from fully closed to slightly open). The seating torque is usually higher than the operating torque because it has to overcome additional forces like seal friction or pressure drop across the valve when it's nearly closed.

It's essential to distinguish between these two torque types when sizing a valve actuator for a few reasons:

• Avoiding Undersizing: An undersized actuator may not have sufficient torque to open or close the valve fully, mainly considering the valve's seating torque, which can cause a valve to be stuck in an undesirable position, potentially impacting process control and safety.
• Avoiding Oversizing: Conversely, if an actuator is too large, it could produce excessive torque that may damage the valve's seals or other components.
• Safety and Reliability: Actuators are typically sized with a safety factor to ensure reliable operation under various conditions (changes in pressure, temperature, etc.). Knowing the operating and seating torque allows for more precise sizing, contributing to the valve's overall safety, reliability, and lifespan.
• Efficiency and Cost: Correctly sizing an actuator contributes to energy efficiency, as an oversized actuator uses more energy than required. It also avoids unnecessary costs associated with purchasing and maintaining a larger actuator than needed.
• Adaptability: Having precise knowledge of operating and seating torque enables the actuator to adapt to possible changes in the process conditions (such as pressure, flow rate, or media composition), which may increase the torque requirements.

Understanding the operating and seating torque is essential for the optimal selection, operation, and maintenance of butterfly valves and their actuators.

UniTorq Actuators and Controls

2150 Boggs Road, Suite 410

Duluth, GA 30096

https://unitorq.com

Phone: (770) 446-7074

Fax: (770) 447-1825

Get Ready for Unitorq at Valve World Americas Expo 2023

The future of valve actuation is coming to Houston! 

Join Unitorq, a leading electric and pneumatic actuator manufacturer, at the 2023 Valve World Americas Expo on June 7 and 8 for an unforgettable experience. Discover groundbreaking actuator technology and witness firsthand how Unitorq is advancing the industry.

The Valve World Americas Expo is a premier event in the valve and flow control industry, bringing together top professionals, manufacturers, suppliers, and end-users from North, Central, and South America. Held biennially, the Expo offers a unique platform for companies to showcase their latest products, services, and innovations while fostering networking and business development opportunities.

Come check out the world of Unitorq at Booth #315 and be a part of the valve actuation revolution. Seize the opportunity to elevate your business and stay ahead of the curve with Unitorq.

See you at the Valve World Americas Expo 2023!

Electric vs. Pneumatic Valve Actuators: Which One to Choose for Industrial Process Control Applications

Valve actuators are essential components in industrial process control systems, responsible for precisely controlling and regulating fluid flow. There are various valve actuators, but the two most commonly used in the industry are electric and pneumatic. The choice between electric and pneumatic valve actuators depends on the specific requirements of the application, including factors such as cost, accuracy, speed, and environmental conditions. In this article, we will discuss the advantages of electric and pneumatic valve actuators and outline the situations in which each type is better applied.

Electric Valve Actuators

Electric valve actuators convert electrical energy into mechanical energy to control the opening and closing of valves. They are applied in industrial applications due to their accuracy, reliability, and ease of integration with digital control systems.

Best Applied In:

1. Precision control: Electric actuators offer high accuracy, making them ideal for applications requiring precise fluid flow control, such as chemical processing or pharmaceutical manufacturing.
2. Remote locations: Electric actuators are easily integrated with digital control systems, allowing for remote monitoring and control. This feature is especially useful in remote areas, where it might be challenging to maintain pneumatic systems.
3. Energy efficiency: Electric actuators consume energy only when in operation, making them more energy-efficient than pneumatic actuators, which require a continuous air supply.
4. Clean environments: Electric actuators do not require compressed air and do not emit exhaust, making them suitable for cleanroom applications or processes where contamination is a concern.

Pneumatic Valve Actuators

Pneumatic valve actuators use compressed air to control the opening and closing of valves. They are known for their robustness, high-speed operation, and ability to function in harsh environments.

Best Applied In:

1. High-speed operations: Pneumatic actuators have a faster response time than electric actuators, making them ideal for high-speed processes, such as packaging and assembly lines.
2. Hazardous environments: Pneumatic actuators can operate in environments with high levels of dust, moisture, or explosive gases, where electric actuators might pose a risk due to their potential to generate sparks.
3. High-torque applications: Pneumatic actuators can generate a higher torque than electric actuators of comparable size, making them suitable for applications with large, heavy valves or high-pressure fluid flow.
4. Fail-safe operation: Pneumatic actuators can be designed with a fail-safe feature that allows the valve to automatically return to a predetermined safe position in case of air supply failure, making them ideal for safety-critical applications.

Conclusion

When selecting between electric and pneumatic valve actuators, it is essential to consider the specific requirements of your industrial process control application. Electric actuators are best suited for precision control, energy efficiency, remote locations, and clean environments. In contrast, pneumatic actuators excel in high-speed operations, hazardous environments, high-torque applications, and fail-safe operations. By carefully evaluating these factors, you can choose the proper valve actuator to optimize your industrial process control system's performance, efficiency, and safety.

UniTorq Actuators and Controls

2150 Boggs Road, Suite 410

Duluth, GA 30096

https://unitorq.com

Phone: (770) 446-7074

Fax: (770) 447-1825

Small and Medium-Sized Electric Valve Actuators in Chemical Processing Plants

The chemical processing industry constantly evolves, driven by technological advancements and increased efficiency, safety, and environmental sustainability demands. In recent years, small and medium-sized electric valve actuators have emerged as a game-changing technology, enabling significant improvements in process control and optimization in chemical plants.

What are Electric Valve Actuators?

Electric valve actuators are electromechanical devices that control remote or automated valves, enabling precise regulation of fluid flow and pressure within industrial processes. They convert electrical energy into mechanical motion, allowing for accurate and responsive valve control. Actuators come in various sizes and types, with small and medium-sized variants proving particularly popular and versatile in chemical processing applications.

Benefits of Small and Medium-Sized Electric Valve Actuators in Chemical Processing Plants

Enhanced Process Control and Efficiency

Small and medium-sized electric valve actuators allow for precise control of fluid flow rates and pressures, leading to more consistent and reliable processes. This, in turn, results in improved product quality and reduced waste, enhancing overall efficiency and profitability.

Energy Efficiency

Compared to their pneumatic and hydraulic counterparts, electric valve actuators consume less energy and require fewer auxiliary systems, such as air compressors or hydraulic power units. This reduction in energy consumption translates to significant cost savings and a smaller environmental footprint

Increased Safety

Chemical processing plants often involve hazardous materials and high-pressure systems. Electric valve actuators offer precise and reliable control, minimizing the risks associated with leaks, spills, and other process-related incidents. Additionally, their remote operation capabilities reduce the need for manual intervention, protecting plant personnel from potential exposure to hazardous environments.

Improved Diagnostics and Maintenance

Modern electric valve actuators come equipped with advanced diagnostics and monitoring capabilities, enabling real-time performance tracking and early identification of potential issues. This proactive approach to maintenance minimizes downtime, reduces repair costs, and ensures the long-term reliability of the actuators and associated equipment.

Scalability and Flexibility

Small and medium-sized electric valve actuators are compact and easily integrated into existing systems, making them ideal for retrofitting and upgrading applications. Their modular design allows for straightforward expansion and adaptation, ensuring that plants can readily adapt to evolving production requirements and regulatory standards.

UniTorq Actuators and Controls

2150 Boggs Road, Suite 410

Duluth, GA 30096

https://unitorq.com

Phone: (770) 446-7074

Fax: (770) 447-1825