Showing posts with label Armstrong International. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Armstrong International. Show all posts

Steam Trap Management: The Often Overlooked Component in Pursuing Decarbonization Goals

Steam Trap Management

Decarbonization efforts are becoming increasingly urgent as we approach the midpoint of 2024. Nations and industries are uniting globally to reduce their carbon footprint and combat climate change. Decarbonization involves reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions across sectors like energy production, transportation, and industrial processes. Governments and companies are investing in renewable energy sources, energy efficiency measures, and carbon capture technologies to lessen their reliance on fossil fuels. Many countries have set ambitious net-zero emissions targets. Still, the journey to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement and limit global warming to well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels is far from over. The transition to a low-carbon economy demands ongoing commitment, innovation, and collaboration from all stakeholders to accelerate the pace of change and mitigate the most severe impacts of climate change.

Developing a tailored roadmap to decarbonization for your specific facilities and industry is not just crucial, but also highly beneficial. Each industry and facility presents unique challenges and opportunities for reducing carbon emissions. A customized roadmap takes into account the specific processes, equipment, and energy requirements of your operations, enabling more targeted and practical solutions. This approach ensures that your investment in emissions reduction is maximized, a particularly important consideration as the transition to a low-carbon economy can be costly. A tailored approach prioritizes the most cost-effective strategies for your facility, providing you with the confidence that you are making the most of your investment. As governments worldwide implement stricter emissions regulations, a tailored decarbonization roadmap helps ensure that your facility remains compliant, avoiding potential fines and reputational damage. But it's not just about meeting regulations; it's about engaging your stakeholders. By demonstrating your commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility, you empower your employees, reassure your investors, and attract environmentally conscious customers, thereby building trust and strengthening your relationships with your stakeholders.

One critical step in developing a decarbonization roadmap is steam trap management. Steam traps play a vital role in maintaining energy efficiency in steam systems. When steam traps malfunction, significant energy losses, increased fuel consumption, and higher carbon emissions can occur. By properly managing and maintaining steam traps, facilities can reduce their energy waste and improve overall system efficiency. This efficient management can lead to substantial cost savings by reducing energy consumption and minimizing the need for costly repairs or replacements of damaged equipment. Steam traps are essential in removing condensate, air, and non-condensable gases from the steam system. Failure to effectively manage steam traps can result in decreased system performance, reduced heat transfer efficiency, and potential damage to equipment. Properly functioning steam traps are crucial for maintaining a safe and reliable steam system, as malfunctioning traps can cause water hammer, leading to equipment damage and potential safety hazards for personnel. By incorporating steam trap management into your decarbonization roadmap, you can identify opportunities for improved energy efficiency, cost savings, and reduced carbon emissions, thereby contributing to a more comprehensive and effective strategy for achieving your facility's sustainability goals.

Mead O'Brien
https://meadobrien.com
(800) 874-9655

Industrial and Commercial Hot Water System Design, Fabrication, Installation, and Support

Industrial and Commercial Hot Water System Design, Fabrication, Installation, and Support

Choosing the right company specializing in engineering and integration services to design and install industrial and commercial hot water systems can significantly value your organization. You can realize this value through several key aspects, including expertise, cost savings, efficiency, safety, and scalability.


  1. Expertise: A specialized company has extensive knowledge in designing, installing, and maintaining large-scale hot water systems. Their engineers and technicians are highly skilled in selecting the right components, such as boilers, pumps, valves, and control instrumentation, ensuring a high-quality and reliable system that meets the specific requirements of your business.
  2. Cost savings: By partnering with an experienced company, you can save costs in several ways. First, you avoid making expensive mistakes during the design and installation phases. Second, the company's knowledge of the latest technologies and best practices allows them to design energy-efficient systems, reducing operational costs. Third, they can also help you take advantage of available incentives and rebates from utility companies and government programs.
  3. Efficiency: A well-designed hot water system ensures optimal performance and efficiency. By working with a specialized company, you benefit from their expertise in selecting and configuring the right components to achieve the highest possible efficiency, reducing energy consumption, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and minimizing your environmental impact.
  4. Safety: Industrial and commercial hot water systems involve high pressures, temperatures, and potential hazards. By partnering with a company experienced in these systems, you ensure adherence to all safety protocols and regulations, which reduces the risk of accidents and liabilities.
  5. Scalability: As your business grows, your hot water system may need to be expanded or upgraded. An experienced company can design your system with scalability in mind, making it easier and more cost-effective to add capacity or make modifications in the future.
  6. Compliance: A specialized company knows the codes, standards, and regulations governing large industrial and commercial hot water systems, ensuring that your system is designed and installed in compliance with all applicable requirements, avoiding potential fines and penalties.
  7. Support and maintenance: A reliable partner can provide ongoing support, including regular maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs, ensuring your hot water system remains in optimal condition throughout its lifecycle, reduces downtime, and extends the life of your investment.


Mead O'Brien offers engineering and integration services for  industrial and commercial hot water systems providing expertise, cost savings, efficiency, safety, scalability, compliance, and ongoing support. Partnering with Mead O'Brien leads to a more reliable, efficient, and cost-effective hot water system for your organization, while minimizing risks and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.


For more information, contact Mead O'Brien. Call (800) 874-9655 or visit https://meadobrien.com.

The Armstrong VERIS Verabar®


Veris Verabar Mead O'Brien
The Armstrong Veris Verabar averaging pitot flow sensor provides unsurpassed accuracy and reliability. With its solid one-piece construction and bullet shape, the Verabar makes flow measurement clog-free and precise. Its unique sensor shape reduces drag and flow-induced vibration, and the location of the low-pressure ports eliminates the potential for clogging and improves signal stability.

Veris Verabar Flow

Veris Verabar Mead O'Brien
Verabar - Superior Signal Stability and Greater Resistance to Clogging

Clogging can occur in low-pressure ports in or near the partial vacuum at the rear of the sensor. The Verabar design finds the low-pressure ports on the sides of the sensor, forward of the fluid separation point, and turbulent wake area, virtually eliminating clogging and producing an extremely stable signal.

Verabar - Flow Coefficient
Verabar - Accuracy You Can Trust And the Data to Back It Up

The unique and exclusive breakthrough in improved accuracy derived from developing a verified theoretical model predicts the Verabar flow coefficients. The verified theoretical model eliminates the need for calibration tests to characterize the flow coefficients. Without such a model, the uncertainty of the flow coefficients dramatically increases, and expensive calibration is required. Empirical test data from independent laboratories verified the theoretical model and flow coefficients as a constant, independent of the Reynolds number and within ±0.5% of the predicted value. The Verabar Flow Test Report (ED-100) includes the theoretical model and test data derivation.

Verabar Flow Data


Verabar - Lower Drag and Extended Turndown

Golf balls fly farther because they have a dimpled surface that lowers aerodynamic drag. The grooves and roughness on the Verabar’s frontal surface apply the same principle. This simple design feature relieves the partial vacuum at the rear of the sensor, reducing the pressure drag and extending the accuracy and rangeability to very low velocities.



For more information about VERIS Verabar® contact Mead O'Brien. Call (800) 874-9655 or visit https://meadobrien.com.

Mead O'Brien, Armstrong International, and Everactive: Partners in Decarbonization, Reducing Energy Waste and Sustainability

Partners in Decarbonization


Mead O'Brien provides the experience and expertise, along with Armstrong's Sage™ IIoT platform and Everactive's battery-less technology, for a completely new energy monitoring and management approach for the process industries.


Consistent with the global move toward sustainability and energy efficiency, Mead O'Brien is proud to join Armstrong International and Everactive. This partnership allows us to work with our customers steam, hot water, and process heating applications in a completely new way. By combining our abilities and technologies jointly, we improve your production process and performance, reduce environmental emissions, increase safety, and help you reach your net-zero carbon goal.


Mead O'Brien, Armstrong International, and Everactive provide the technology and resources to assist you in developing a decarbonization road map customized to your facility and industry. Call us today for more information. 800-874-9655.

Mead O'Brien
https://meadobrien.com/netzerocarbon.

Kurt Armstrong and Bob Nunn Discuss Decarbonization, Steam Trap Monitoring, and Batteryless Technology

Kurt Armstrong and Bob Nunn

As the fight against climate change gets traction and the globe draws closer to decarbonization, net-zero has become our common goal. For more than a century, Armstrong has aided businesses in increasing efficiency, lowering energy consumption, and reducing emissions. Armstrong is the world's leader in thermal utility management. 


Everactive, based in Silicon Valley, creates sensors that require so little power that they can continuously sense, process, and wirelessly transmit data by harvesting energy from their surroundings. Indoor solar (even in dimly lit facilities down to 100 Lux), thermal gradients, radio frequencies, vibration, and other energy sources are all possible.


Mead O'Brien transcribed the interview with Everactive CEO Bob Nunn and Armstrong CIO Kurt Armstrong where they discuss the global decarbonization movement and how monitoring steam traps might help reduce CO2 emissions. Read the transcript or watch the video here.


Mead O'Brien works closely with Armstrong on a regional basis to assist industry in achieving a net-zero objective efficiently and smoothly.

For more information, contact Mead O'Brien at (800) 892-2769 or visit https://meadobrien.com/netzerocarbon.

Steam Trap Replacement When Using the Armstrong TVS 6000UD

The Armstrong TVS 6000UD is a compact double isolation and bleed concept (up and downstream) with a 360° connector.

TVS 6000UD gives you double isolation inlet and outlet piston valves, bleed of inlet/outlet valves, a test valve, a strainer and a blowdown valve at trap inlet all merged together in a single compact 2-bolts universal connector.

With Armstrong’s 2-bolt universal connector block concept, the TVS 6000UD can be fitted with Armstrong’s inverted bucket, disc, thermostatic, thermostatic wafer, freely floating, and bimetallic steam traps. Any manufacturer’s 2-bolt steam trap can also be applied to Armstrong’s standard connector.

Benefits of the TVS 6000UD Trap Valve Station:

  • Increased Safety when replacing steam traps thanks to double insolation and bleed concept
  • Refurbishing existing trap stations without piping modification
  • Trap Replacement in 5 minutes
  • Simplified trap testing check trap operation easilly thanks to test valve at trap outlet
  • Installation versatility. TVS 6000UD is adaptable to different steam trap technologies using 2-bolts
  • Reduced costs a single compact trap station instead of 10 elements
  • Reduction of potential leaks
  • Connection flexibility (from ½’’ to 1’’ SW, BW, BSPT, NPT, flanges EN or ANSI)
  • Piston valve technology
  • 3-years guarantee

For more information about Armstrong products, contact Mead O'Brien. Call (800) 874-9655 or visit https://meadobrien.com.

Wireless Steam Trap Monitoring and Networking from Armstrong International and Mead O'Brien

Wireless Steam Trap Monitoring and Networking

Armstrong International's Everactive is a breakthrough wireless steam trap monitoring technology that works seamlessly with Sage®, Armstrong's accurate, reliable, leading-edge technology and software package for monitoring, measuring, auditing and includes complete documentation.

Everactive is wireless and batteryless technology. It is affordable, maintenance-free, simple to install, and works with all brands and models of steam traps. You'll receive warnings when traps fail, allowing you to fix or replace failing traps before they cause major steam system problems. The ground-breaking technology maximizes efficiency and dependability while reducing the size of the IT infrastructure footprint.

Everactive sensors send trap data to SAGE®, where you can evaluate real-time trap activity, view and resolve failure alerts, and better manage your whole steam trap population.

Whether you want to maintain a constant eye on important process traps or want to monitor your whole steam trap population, the decision is yours, and you can do it without the hassle and expense of battery maintenance.

For more information about Armstrong products, contact Mead O'Brien. Call (800) 874-9655 or visit https://meadobrien.com.

The Armstrong ASDV Ambient Sensing Drain Valve for Freeze Protection

The Armstrong ASDV Ambient Sensing Drain Valve

Designed for freeze protection of condensate systems up to 300 PSIG,  the Armstrong ASDV (Ambient Sensing Drain Valve) is ideal for protecting piping, valves, fittings, pumps, condensate systems, safety showers, fire lines, and spray nozzles freeze sensitive equipment. It also can be used to provide back-up protection on steam-traced systems or equipment.

The valve features an all-stainless steel body, fittings, spring, and plug. It is unaffected by pressure variation, sensitive to temperature only, and easily installed with simple wrenches.

Trying to provide freeze protection manually with valves cracked for continuous drainage is wasteful and possibly susceptible to freezing. The ASDV automates freeze prevention and reduces waste by opening only when freezing is imminent and closing when the danger is past. The valve minimizes water loss and eliminates damage and downtime. The ASDV’s unique ram-type plug and seat provide reliable, tight shut-off longer than any other design, and all valves are 100% factory tested.

The ASDV thermal element senses ambient temperatures, and at a preset temperature, the drain valve will open. Water from the line will then flow past the element. If the water temperature becomes high enough, the valve will close. If the water temperature is low, the valve will modulate to maintain temperature or open to drain completely. The valve will be fully open at 35˚F (2˚C). As the temperature rises, the valve will be tightly closed at 40˚F (4.4˚C).

For more information in Kansas, Missouri, Southern Illinois, and Western Kentucky, contact Mead O'Brien. Call them at (800) 892-2769 or visit their website at https://meadobrien.com.

Replace Existing Valves or Steam Traps Quickly With Armstrong's Patented, 10-in-1 TVS 6000UD

Upgrade to the flanged version of Armstrong's compact, Double-Isolation-and-Bleed Trap Valve Station, and you can replace any existing flanged steam trap, valve, or strainer quickly without any pipework modifications. Replacing a complete welded or threaded set of ancillaries requires only four welds or threads with the SW / BW or NPT / BSPT versions.

A safer way to prevent burns during steam trap replacement—with no need to shut down the system.

Single Isolation valves and standard double-block-and-bleed configurations allow operators to close just one of the two isolation valves, resulting in a severe accident. This mistake is impossible with Armstrong's unique, Double-Isolation-and-Bleed Trap Valve Station because both isolation valves operate simultaneously.

Save design, procurement, and installation costs with Armstrong's compact, 10-in-1 TVS 6000UD.

Armstrong's  Double-Isolation-and-Bleed Trap Valve Station contains eight high-quality valves with one strainer and one two-bolt universal connector—all in a single unit. There is no need to design, purchase, store, and install ten separate components with Armstrong's Trap Valve Station, making it the most cost-effective solution on the market to eliminate risks associated with replacing steam traps.

Features of TVS 6000UD include:

  • Error-proof double-isolation and bleed design
  • Allows for optimal energy efficiency through steam trap replacement with no system shut-down
  • PN40 has a standard steam trap face-to-face (DN15 and DN20 are 150 mm and DN25 is 160 mm)
  • Custom footprints for existing installations available upon request
  • Available for all steam trap technologies with universal two-bolt connector
  • Streamlined mounting and fewer weld points
  • 3-year warranty and repairable piston valve technology

In Missouri, Kansas, Southern Illinois, and Western Kentucky contact Mead O'Brien. Call them at (800) 892-2769 or visit their website at https://meadobrien.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Mead O'Brien Expands its Armstrong International Territory into Western Missouri and Kansas

Mead O'Brien Expands its Armstrong International Territory into Western Missouri and Kansas

North Kansas City, MO
Release: October 26th, 2020

Mead O’Brien, Inc. has signed a representative agreement with Armstrong International, a global leader in industrial and institutional steam & water thermal utility systems, to expand into the Western Missouri and Kansas territory.

Mead O'Brien supports customers with application engineering and design consulting of our product portfolio, surveys & assessments, field service, in-house assembly & repair, and training. The extensive product and application knowledge possessed by our sales experts and inside sales product champions are projected into all of our product portfolio territories in the Midwest.  Existing Armstrong customers in Western Missouri and Kansas can expect excellent service and product support from our North Kansas City location.  

“Our company is excited about our expanded partnership with Armstrong and we are eager to build upon the success our partnership has created over many years in our St. Louis and Calvert City, KY locations.  Our vision for this territory expansion will be based upon our culture of dedication to customer, superior service, applied industry knowledge, and our focus on client education.  Our mission is to be the technical experts with proven products for our customers with the goal of earning the opportunity to be their trusted advisors”

Ron Morrison, President, Mead O’Brien

“To continue efforts to provide our customers exceptional service and an enjoyable experience, as of October 26, 2020 we have expanded the Mead O’Brien territory to include Western Missouri and the State of Kansas. Mead O’Brien has faithfully represented Armstrong products and customers in Eastern Missouri, Southern Illinois, and Western Kentucky for many years, and their knowledge of thermal utility solutions and services is unmatched. We are confident that their expertise and passion to assist with system solutions will be a true asset to all existing and new customers within this important Midwest region.”


Matt Bloss, Director of North America Sales and Marketing of Armstrong International

Mead O'Brien is a midwestern regional manufacturer's representative and distributor headquartered in North Kansas City, MO with branches, warehouses, and repair facilities in St. Louis, MO; Calvert City, KY; and Tulsa, OK. Sister companies include H*E Engineered Equipment Co., J&M Engineered Products Inc., and Pinnacle Controls LLC. We approach our customers in the process, power, pipeline, HVAC, and the critical infrastructure industries as application specialists in:


  • Valves, valve automation and control
  • Steam and hot water products and systems
  • Instrumentation and controls


Mead O'Brien supports customers with application engineering and design consulting of our product portfolio, surveys & assessments, field service, in-house assembly & repair, and training utilizing our live steam lab. The extensive product and application knowledge possessed by our sales experts and inside product champions are projected into all or parts of ten states in the Midwest including Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Southern Illinois, Southwest Indiana, Western Kentucky, and the Texas Panhandle.


CONTACT INFO:

Name: Steve Huffman, Vice President, Marketing & Business Development

Organization: Mead O'Brien, Inc.

Address: 1429 Atlantic St. North Kansas City, MO 64116

Phone: +1 (800) 874-9655

Contact: SalesKC@MeadOBrien.com 

Armstrong International Expands Partnership with Mead O'Brien to Kansas and Western Missouri


For over 93 years, Mead O'Brien St. Louis has successfully represented Armstrong International in eastern Missouri, southern Illinois, and western Kentucky. Both companies enjoyed strong sales growth and cultivated deep customer loyalty during that time. In October 2020, Armstrong International rewarded Mead O'Brien's success by assigning them representation in western Missouri and Kansas. 


Founded in 1900, Armstrong International is a family-owned company headquartered in Three Rivers, Michigan. Armstrong International provides intelligent control systems for steam, air, and hot water utility applications that improve performance, lower energy consumption, and reduce environmental emissions. Broadly stated, Armstrong International offers steam trapping and steam tracing equipment, steam system testing and monitoring products, condensate recovery equipment, and industrial hot water systems.


Mead O'Brien provides local expertise in industrial steam systems, hot water systems, and process control loops in all or parts of ten Midwestern states, including Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Southern Illinois, Indiana, Western Kentucky, and the Texas Panhandle. Mead O'Brien Sales Engineers are experts at identifying and quantifying energy losses from steam pipes, industrial and commercial boilers, and hot water systems and have a reputation as solution providers for the most demanding applications.


Services offered by Mead O'Brien and Armstrong:

Utilities System Audits:

  • Steam Distribution
  • Process Heat Transfer and Control
  • Condensate Return
  • Heat Recovery Opportunities
  • Process, Ambient & Combustion Air
  • Steam Trap Surveys & Database Creation
  • Humidification Assessment
  • Application issues; coil freezing issues, poor heat transfer & steam control, water hammer issues, high back-pressure

Steam, Condensate, & Hot Water Measurements, Control & Monitoring

Learning Systems:

  • Armstrong University - Over 130 web-based courses
  • Mead O'Brien Live Steam Lab

For more information, contact Mead O'Brien by calling (800) 892-2769 or visit their website at https://meadobrien.com.