The Amanda team invited technical staff from the control valve manufacturing plant for an online training session to gain a comprehensive understanding of the latest control valve products. The training covered topics ranging from the basic principle of sodium ion exchange softening, specifically how a water softener uses resin to soften water, to the selection of different models of products and their accessories, progressing from fundamental to more advanced concepts. The goal is to equip the Amanda team with the knowledge to propose better solutions and choose the most suitable product models when dealing with customers' varying water qualities.
Sodium Ion Exchange Softening Principle:
Water forms scale because of the calcium and magnesium ions it contains, which tend to form solid compounds like calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate that are not easily soluble in water. These solids cause scaling on the surfaces of equipment and pipes. Resin can prevent scaling by exchanging its sodium ions with the calcium and magnesium ions in the water, replacing them with sodium ions and thus inhibiting the formation of scale.
Fixed-Bed Sodium Ion Exchange Regeneration Process:
The resin has a limited capacity to hold sodium ions, which means it can only exchange a limited amount of calcium and magnesium ions. Once the resin has treated a certain volume of hard water, it becomes ineffective. At this point, regeneration is required to restore its ion-exchanging capacity.
The regeneration process involves passing a saturated solution of sodium chloride, which contains a large amount of chloride ions, through the exhausted resin bed. This allows the calcium and magnesium ions exchanged by the resin to be replaced by chloride ions, forming soluble calcium chloride and magnesium chloride, while the sodium ions are absorbed by the resin, restoring its ion-exchange capacity.
The regeneration process of sodium-type ion exchange resin can be represented by the following reactions:
CaR2 + Na+ → NaR + Ca2+
MgR2 + Na+ → NaR + Mg2+
(If the resin is not regenerated for an extended period, it will become completely ineffective.)
Types of Control Valves:
Control valves operate in two modes: manual and automatic.
They are used for two main purposes: softening and filtration.
Control Valve Regeneration Modes:
· Time-Based: The regeneration process is triggered at preset time intervals. Regardless of water flow or usage, the timer will automatically start the regeneration process once the set time is reached.
· Flow Immediate: The regeneration process starts based on the total volume of water treated. Once the water flow reaches a preset amount (e.g., after processing a certain volume of water), regeneration begins.
· Flow Delay: After the total water flow reaches the preset value, regeneration is delayed for a specified time before starting. This prevents regeneration from occurring while water is being used.
· Weekly Regeneration: Regeneration occurs on a specific day of the week, regardless of actual water usage. This mode is typically used in low-demand or long-term applications to help maintain resin performance.
· Hourly: Regeneration occurs at regular intervals, such as every few hours. This mode is suitable for applications requiring frequent regeneration, such as high-flow or high-hardness water sources.
· Hybrid: Combines both flow and time settings. Regeneration occurs once either the flow threshold or the set time is reached.
· Proportional: When the water flow is high, both the brine flow rate and regeneration time increase; when the water flow is low, the brine flow rate and regeneration time decrease accordingly.
Control Valve Regeneration Flow Direction:
Downflow Regeneration:
In downflow regeneration, raw water flows from top to bottom during operation, and the brine solution also flows from top to bottom through the resin bed.
1. During regeneration, the brine first contacts the exhausted resin layer. The Na+ in the brine is largely consumed, and by the time it reaches the working and protective layers, the Na+ concentration is very low. This results in incomplete regeneration of the lower resin layers, turning them into ineffective resin.
2. Since ion exchange is reversible, the brine that reaches the protective layer still contains a significant amount of exchanged Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions. The protective layer resin at the bottom may be contaminated by these Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions, which ultimately affects water quality and reduces softening efficiency.
Upflow Regeneration:
Upflow regeneration refers to the process where raw water flows from top to bottom during operation, while the brine solution flows from bottom to top through the resin bed.
1. During regeneration, the brine first contacts the protective layer, which is less exhausted. As the brine moves through to the most exhausted ion exchange resin layer, although the concentration of exchanged Ca2+ and Mg2+ is higher, it is quickly discharged, preventing contamination of the resin.
2. Since upflow regeneration allows for thorough regeneration of the ion exchange resin’s protective layer, even if the regeneration of the surface resin layer is less complete, it will not affect the quality of the treated water.
EZ Series Automatic Control Valve
Product Features:
1. The valve body is made of SUS316 stainless steel.
2. It features a dual backwash design. The capacitor in the system can retain time updates after a power failure, and both programming and time are stored in memory, preventing data loss during power outages.
3. Programmable regeneration types enhance flexibility, with each regeneration step fully adjustable.
4. The LCD display shows the current time, day of the week, remaining treatment capacity, regeneration time, or regeneration interval in days.
5. The large LCD screen displays various system parameters, which can be independently and flexibly set.
6. Provides interfaces for various external auxiliary devices, such as dosing pumps, auxiliary relays, and chlorine generators.
7. The control valve is compatible with the RC23 LCD series remote control panel, allowing users to remotely monitor the system’s operational status.
TZ Series Automatic Control Valve
Product Features:
1. Regeneration flow direction can be selected as either downflow or upflow.
2. Under optimal operating conditions, continuous flow rate is 4.7 m³/h, with a maximum backwash flow rate of 17 GPM.
3. Based on backwash capacity, the softening system is compatible with up to a 16" tank, and the filtration system is also compatible with up to a 16" tank.
4. Programmable regeneration types enhance flexibility, with each regeneration step fully adjustable.
5. Programming is stored in memory, ensuring no data loss during power outages.
6. The LED digital display shows the current time, remaining treatment capacity, or regeneration interval in days.
7. The capacitor in the system retains time updates after a power failure, with both programming and time stored in memory to prevent data loss.
8. The large LCD screen displays various system parameters, which can be independently and flexibly set.
9. Provides interfaces for various external auxiliary devices, such as dosing pumps, auxiliary relays, and chlorine generators.
The control valve is compatible with the RC23 LCD series remote display panel, allowing users to remotely monitor the system’s operational status.
MZ Series Manual Control Valve
Product Features:
1. The valve body is made of SUS316 stainless steel.
2. The jet/flush module, which includes components such as the salt suction valve, flow meter, and jet injector, can be removed from the valve externally.
3. Optional time-based regeneration timer and mechanical flow meter for flow-based regeneration timing.
4. Based on backwash capacity, the softening system is compatible with up to a 12" tank, and the filtration system is compatible with up to a 10" tank.
5. Features a dual backwash design.
6. Economical with low annual power consumption. Both the timer and piston drive are powered by the same motor, utilizing the dual backwash design.
7. Dustproof and waterproof casing design.
8. Suitable for hot water pipeline systems.
Control Valve Accessories
Bypass Valve – Stainless Steel (Metal and Plastic Handles)
· The valve body is made of 304-grade stainless steel, offering excellent strength and durability.
· Simple operation, long service life, high reliability, and ease of use.
· Inlet/Outlet: 3/4" or 1" NPT/BSP.
· Compatible with all types of control valves.
Bypass Valve – Plastic (Knob-Type)
· The valve body is made of fiber-reinforced polymer, offering exceptional strength and durability, with corrosion resistance and UV resistance.
· Simple operation, long service life, high reliability, and ease of use.
· Inlet/Outlet: 3/4" or 1" NPT/BSP, with 90-degree elbow or straight connectors.
· Compatible with all types of control valves.
· Available with either a knob or handle option to meet different operational space requirements.
Bypass Valve & Bypass Mixing Valve – Plastic Push-Pull Type
· The valve body is made of fiber-reinforced polymer, offering exceptional strength and durability, with corrosion resistance and UV resistance.
· Simple operation, long service life, high reliability, and ease of use.
· Inlet/Outlet: 3/4" or 1" NPT/BSP, with 90-degree elbow or straight connectors.
· Compatible with all types of control valves.
Chlorine Generator
The chlorine generator is suitable for soft water control valves. Chlorine gas is generated through electrolysis during the brine circulation process. The chlorine gas dissolves in water to form hypochlorous acid, which kills bacteria and other microorganisms that affect the quality of the tank or solution water. This regular disinfection reduces the presence of various microorganisms in the softening system.
RC23 Remote Display Panel
The RC23 series remote display panel is compatible with soft water control valves or central softeners. It synchronously displays the operating status of the equipment, allowing easy monitoring of salt levels and system operation. Under clear line-of-sight conditions, the reception distance can reach up to 50 meters.
Jet Injector Assembly
Controls the rate of salt suction flow per minute.
Backwash Flow Limiting Cap
Controls the backwash flow rate per minute.
Brine Injection Flow Limiting Cap
Controls the brine injection flow rate per minute.
Quick Connect Fittings & Tower Fittings & Threaded Fittings
Change the installation method for salt suction and backwash ports.
After the online training session conducted by the technical staff from the control valve factory, Ares, a water treatment engineer from Amanda, disassembled the product itself and provided a live demonstration of its structure and functionality.
Through this training, Amanda's sales team not only filled in gaps in their knowledge of control valves and softening, but also clarified some important details when offering solutions to customers. For example, often-overlooked control valve accessories: if the model or flow rate selection is inappropriate, various failures can occur, causing inconvenience for customers. Additionally, for regeneration, it is crucial to remind customers to use high-purity, precision block industrial salt. Choosing ordinary table salt in an attempt to save costs could lead to slow salt absorption or even blockages in the system due to impurities or unsuitable salt forms.
Amanda’s team understands that continuous learning and improvement are key to providing better service and more effective solutions for customers. The team consistently adheres to the customer-first principle, with customer satisfaction and recognition being our greatest honor.
