What Are Temperature Control Valves and Temperature Regulators?

Temperature control valves and temperature regulators, often known as TCVs, actively maintain the temperature of a process. They achieve this by regulating the pressure or flow of thermal fluid in various components such as compressors, tank jackets, and heating coils. These devices are essential in processes requiring stable temperatures unaffected by fluctuations in the surrounding environment.

Temperature regulators fall into two main categories: self-actuated and externally actuated. Self-actuated temperature regulators operate independently without the need for an external power source. They use a thermally sensitive material that expands and contracts in response to temperature changes. This expansion and contraction drive the actuator, adjusting the valve's position and altering the flow path of the thermal fluid toward the heating element. This mechanical actuation provides precise temperature control, particularly suitable for applications where the setpoint remains constant and does not require frequent adjustments. Additionally, self-actuated temperature regulators offer a cost-effective solution for effective temperature management. These regulators are also known as self-operated temperature regulators.

Externally actuated temperature control valves often play a critical role in complex control systems, integrating an external temperature sensor and a Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controller. These valves necessitate an external power source for operation. In a typical setup, the operator sets a desired temperature on the PID controller, continuously receiving feedback from the temperature sensor monitoring the process. The PID controller then compares the set temperature with the actual process temperature reported by the sensor. Based on this comparison, it sends an electronic or pneumatic signal to the temperature control valve, instructing it to adjust its position. This adjustment ensures the maintenance of the process temperature at the set point. This type of valve is beneficial in applications requiring frequent adjustments of temperature set points for automation purposes.

How Does the Jordan Valve Mark 80 Series Temperature Regulator Function?

The Jordan Valve Mark 80 Series Temperature Regulator operates independently, eliminating the need for an external power source or costly additional instruments. This self-sufficiency is due to its unique design: the actuator connects to a sensing bulb via a capillary system containing a volatile fluid. When this fluid heats up, it vaporizes, creating pressure within the system. This pressure acts on the diaphragm, prompting the valve to open (in reverse-acting models) or close (in direct-acting models). The Mark 80 Series, featuring a seal welded actuator (SWA), results from extensive research, ensuring the most accurate temperature control. When paired with Jordan Valve's sliding gate valve technology, the Mark 80 regulator achieves superior control. For added versatility, it allows field adjustments of the set point and can accommodate different temperature ranges without removing the valve from its installation.

The Jordan Valve Temperature Regulator Series also presents various self-operated regulator configurations to cater to higher flows, fail-open or fail-close settings, tracing lines, and pilot operations.

Process Technology, Inc.
https://process-tech.com
801-264-1114

Jordan Valve's Sliding Gate Seat Technology for Regulators and Control Valves

Jordan Valve's Sliding Gate Seat is an excellent alternative to traditional control valve trim designs. The benefits are easy to see. They include: 

1. Straight Thru Flow – The control element is perpendicular to the flow, resulting in less turbulence and superior trim life.
2. Constant Contact in Seats – The disc and plate are in constant contact. Therefore, there is no valve ‘chatter’, less mechanical wear and greater stability at the low end of the stroke. The constant contact results in a self-lapping and self-cleaning action. Jordan Valve sliding gate seats wear in – they don’t wear out.
3. Easy Maintenance – There is only one moving part in the Sliding Gate Seats. The seats are not pressed or screwed into place, so removal is easy. Cv values are interchangeable and control valve action is easily changeable.
4. Short Stroke – In regulators, this results in faster response to input signals, less droop (greater accuracy), and longer diaphragm life. In control valves, the short stroke of the sliding gate seat results in less packing wear. Additionally, smaller actuators can be used resulting in lighter weight, smaller envelope dimensions and less air consumption.
5. Seat Materials – Jorcote is the standard seat material. Jorcote is harder than stainless steel and provides excellent wear, erosion, & galling resistance. It has a lower coefficient of friction than Teflon; providing higher pressure drop capability and less offset. Jorcote seats perform in temperatures from sub-zero to 550°F (288°C). These seats have been lab tested to 1,000,000 full stroke cycles in 70 psi steam and maintained ANSI Class IV leakage while displaying negligible wear.
6. Disc Plate Overlap – The disc and plate overlap by 1/32” (0,8mm) around each orifice. This creates an area of closure, not line of closure, resulting in better shutoff for a longer period of time, reducing waste and lowering costs.
7. Multiple Orifice Design – The multiple orifice design of the sliding gate seat dissipates the wear energy and downstream flow, resulting in longer trim life and quiet operation.

For more information about Jordan Valve, or any Richard Industrials valve product, contact Process Technology, Inc. Call them at 801-264-1114 or visit their site at https://process-tech.com.