Tag: distribution
Introduction In the complex infrastructure of municipal water and wastewater treatment, the actuation of valves is the muscle behind process control. While electric actuation has gained ground due to advances in network connectivity, pneumatic valve actuators remain a cornerstone of industry reliability, particularly in applications requiring rapid response, high duty cycles, and fail-safe operation. For […]
Introduction In municipal water and wastewater treatment, valve selection is rarely the most glamorous part of the design process, yet it accounts for a disproportionate amount of maintenance hours and operational frustration. A surprising industry statistic suggests that while valves represent approximately 5% of a plant’s capital cost, they can account for up to 60% […]
Introduction One of the most persistent challenges in municipal water and wastewater design is the “interface gap”—the point where mechanical flow control meets electrical automation. When a critical isolation valve fails to close during a storm event, or a modulating control valve oscillates wildly, creating damaging water hammer, the root cause often lies in a […]
Introduction In municipal and industrial pumping systems, the selection of check valve technology is the primary defense against destructive hydraulic transients (water hammer) and reverse flow damage. Engineers are frequently faced with a divergent choice when specifying pump discharge control: specifying an active, electrically or pneumatically actuated solution (often synonymous with Rotork actuation on a […]
INTRODUCTION The selection of check valves in municipal water and wastewater treatment plants is often treated as an afterthought compared to the rigor applied to pump selection. However, the check valve is the primary defense against water hammer, reverse flow damage to rotating assemblies, and severe piping fatigue. When engineers evaluate Crane vs Henry Pratt […]
Introduction to Horizontal End Suction Pumps in Water & Wastewater In the complex hydraulic landscape of municipal and industrial water treatment, the horizontal end suction pump remains the ubiquitous workhorse. While vertical turbine pumps may dominate deep well applications and submersible pumps handle the depths of wet wells, the horizontal end suction (HES) configuration is […]
Introduction In the design of municipal water treatment plants and industrial wastewater facilities, the butterfly valve is often treated as a commodity item. This assumption—that “a valve is just a valve”—is a primary driver of unexpected operational expenditure (OPEX) and premature system failure. Engineers frequently encounter scenarios where a valve specified for general isolation fails […]
Introduction In municipal water distribution and industrial fluid handling, the “valve selection paradox” is a frequent challenge for consulting engineers: the most expensive valve upfront is often the cheapest over 20 years, yet the wrong hydraulic application can destroy even the highest-quality equipment in weeks. A surprising statistic from hydraulic efficiency studies suggests that up […]
Introduction In municipal and industrial hydraulic systems, the management of high pressure differentials presents a distinct physical challenge: cavitation. When water accelerates through a valve restriction to the point where the static pressure drops below the fluid’s vapor pressure, vapor bubbles form. As the fluid recovers pressure downstream, these bubbles collapse with violent force, generating […]
INTRODUCTION One of the most persistent challenges in municipal water distribution design is the control of storage tank levels—specifically, balancing the simplicity of mechanical hydraulic valves with the data-rich requirements of modern SCADA systems. For decades, the industry standard was the pilot-operated hydraulic globe valve. However, a significant shift is occurring toward electrically actuated quarter-turn […]