An iron solenoid valve is a type of valve used to drain condensate from process lines or storage tanks. They are one of the most important and important components of compressed air systems. These valves help to provide clean and dry compressed air to the system by removing condensate and pollution from the system. They can perform the process without losing extra compressed air and without having to shut down the system. They play an important role in extending the life of the compressor unit and the entire compressed air system, including components, driven equipment and tools.
Condensate drain line
The condensate (water) discharge line is part of the condensate discharge system through which condensate is released to ensure quality and efficient operation. Gas condensate that accumulates in the system can be harmful if not drained properly. Moisture can cause corrosion or leak oil needed to operate the equipment. The presence of condensate also affects the dry air quality supplied to the system. However, the drain line needs the right size of pipes. Smaller plumbing can block the drain line, also called an air lock.
compressed air
Compressed air is air that is compressed to reach a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure. The pressure is usually 5-8 bar. This compressed air is introduced into the piping system before being transferred to the piping system through pneumatic equipment or other applications that use pressure for a specific purpose. For example, compressed air is used in industrial processes to supply pneumatic equipment such as power tools, spray paint, air motors, and so on. It is also used in the braking systems of large trains, buses and trucks or to start the engines of large ships. It is even used for pneumatic posts, for example, in banks.
Humidity in compressed air
The air we breathe is not good enough to turn into compressed air without first removing the contaminants. The air is full of pollution. One cubic meter of air can easily contain 100 million particles suspended in the air. They are composed of soot, pollen, dust, organic compounds, water vapor and so on. When air is compressed, the amount of moisture or water vapor increases because water vapor is not compressed. Air compression causes the air temperature to rise significantly. Therefore, the air at that point is still able to evaporate water. But as it begins to cool, water vapor begins to condense. Gas condensate consists of water, compressor oil, soil and other contaminants. This mixture of water and pollutants should be periodically drained from the system to prevent equipment damage and efficient compressed air delivery. Condensate is a serious problem in compressed air systems and is one of the main causes of failure.
Types of condensate drain valves
Condensate drain valves can be classified as manual condensate drain valve and automatic condensate drain valve.
Drain hand valve (drain)
As the name implies, manual drain valves work manually to drain accumulated condensate. The main concerns of manual valves are:
- Operators can forget about draining and cause excess condensate to accumulate in the system.
- Operators can always leave them somewhat open. This method constantly drains the condensate but leads to a constant waste of compressed air.
Iron drain solenoid valve
Automatic condensates perform drainage operation without manual intervention. They work efficiently to drain condensate from compressed air systems. Most of them work with electricity, but others can work without electricity. There are three common types of automatic drain valves:
Ironing solenoid valve with timer
Ironing solenoid valve with timer has solenoid valve and electric timer. The timer usually has two types of settings:
ON time: The amount of time the valve should stay open.
OFF time: The time between openings.
Many timers have two rotary control buttons on the timer module level. The ON period can usually be set from 0 to 10 seconds and the OFF period from 0 to 45 minutes. Other timers have a digital display with push buttons and a wider range of program settings.
The solenoid valve with a timer is a popular choice, easy to install, cost-effective, and reliable when installed with an inlet filter. After the operation, the solenoid valve is energized, the condensate is discharged, and the cycle time begins. At the end of the preset time “ON”, the solenoid valveIt runs out of energy and stays there until the distance is over. The timer settings can be adjusted to suit the need for a compressed air discharge system. This setting ensures a minimum of air loss when draining condensate. The on time should be adjusted enough to drain all condensate but short enough not to dissipate compressed air. Shutdown time should be adjusted enough to accumulate some condensate but not too much to prevent system problems due to condensate. This requires initial manual adjustment, but is both effective and reliable after adjustment. The use of an inlet strainer on the solenoid valve is highly recommended. This prevents contaminants from clogging the opening inside the condensate drain and ensures proper performance and longevity. Disadvantages of this type of drain are that the valve may not open enough to drain all the condensate, or it may stay open for a long time and waste compressed air. Oil particles in condensate can change to some extent because the speed and direction change is high, creating stable emulsions and making it difficult to separate and dispose of condensate properly. It is recommended to check the discharge settings regularly.
Autodrin solenoid valve with electronic level control
These discharges are also called “Zero Air Loss” discharges and have an electronic capacitive sensor that monitors the condensate level. An electronic capacitive sensor probe located inside the discharge tank controls the discharge by starting the discharge command to the indirect solenoid valve. When the condensate reaches the probe, the solenoid valve is activated and opens. It drains the condensate and as the level goes down, the probe senses this and closes the valve again. This cycle is repeated by increasing and decreasing the amount of condensate in the tank. This valve prevents the loss of compressed air by closing the valve before draining all the condensate. The discharge of electronic sensors has few moving parts, which ensures reliable operation.
Iron drain valve with float level control
These valves have a simple construction and work using a floating type system. When a certain amount of condensate is collected, the float automatically empties the condensate process by opening and closing the valve. Floating is the main component of milk. As the condensed condensate spills into the drain chamber or filter bowl, the float rises. When the condensate rises to a certain level, the drain valve opens and drains the condensate. These drains only work if there is enough condensate. A manual replacement is usually provided that allows the system to be drained if desired or during cleaning. Most float drain valves leave a small amount of condensate in the tank when draining, which prevents the loss of valuable compressed air.
In most of these drain valves, the float operates directly on the drain valve through a lever mechanism. The disadvantage is that the force of the lever mechanism on the valve seal is relatively low, which results in less reliability. Some drain valves solve this problem by using permanent magnets. In these drain valves, the floating mechanism is not connected directly to the valve. Instead, the floating mechanism moves a permanent magnet. The valve is closed by a ferromagnetic piston, which works just like a direct solenoid valve, and is mounted on a valve seat. When the condensate level rises, the magnet moves towards the piston and attracts the piston to open the valve. As the condensate level drops, the magnet moves away and the valve closes again. This mechanism creates a more reliable and tight seal than a traditional float drain valve.
The main parameters in the selection of condensate drain valve
- Operating pressure : The valve must be able to operate within the program pressure range. If the required pressure is below or above the valve capacity, the drain system may not work properly.
- Temperature : The valve must be able to support the maximum and minimum temperature range of the program.
- Workplace : Understanding workplace conditions is essential. The type and capacity of milk depends on the amount and type of gas condensate (water, water + oil, water + oil + pollutants, etc.). Milk should also be able to control seasonal fluctuations in humidity.
- Measurement : The size of the connection ports and the drain line must be compatible with each other to ensure proper drainage.
Application of condensate drain valves
- Used with HVAC systems for residential and industrial purposes. These valves help to drain the condensate accumulated in the air conditioner through the drain line and outside the house.
- Used as air compressor condensate drain valve.
- Used with tank tanks, air dryers and so on.
Frequently Asked Questions Ironing Valve
Where does the condensate line drain?
The drain line must be located at the lowest point of the compressed air system to drain the condensate.
How do we clean clogged condensate drains?
- To clean the condensate drain.
- Turn off the system.
- Find the drain line.
Where does the condensate line drain?
The drain line must be located at the lowest point of the compressed air system to drain the condensate.
How do we clean clogged condensate drains?
To clean the condensate drain:
- Turn off the system.
- Find the drain line.
- Use a brush or vacuum cleaner to get out of the drain. Alternatively, you can use solutions such as hydrogen peroxide or vinegar.
- Pour water into the pipe to see if the line has come out of the gap.
Why does condensate drain need trapping?
The condensate valve has traps to prevent air flow to allow the condensate to drain properly.
What happens if the condensate line is blocked?
When the condensate line is blocked, the condensate discharge path is blocked. Water remains in the drain line, which can leak or overflow from the drain tank and cause damage to the facility, causing mold or damage to the water. This water in contact with electrical equipment can lead to a fire hazard.