Control Valves Function

Control valves, one of the components used in water softening systems. They generally come in two main types: manual and automatic. The function of control valves during the water softening process is to reduce or remove minerals such as calcium and magnesium in hard water.

If you have hard water, you may have started looking for options to solve this problem. A water softener is a great way to help purify water and make it taste better along with various other benefits.

The difference between manual and automatic control valves

Manual control valves are manually controlled by the user. These types of valves provide manual adjustments to stop the flow of hard water or replenish salt or other softening agents during the softening process.

Automatic control valves usually have a control panel or timer. These valves soften water automatically and can be programmed at specific intervals to store and use salt or other replenishing agents.

Both types play an important role in softening hard water and enabling more efficient water use in homes or businesses. While these valves improve water quality and extend the life of water-related appliances, they can also reduce scale and damage to fixtures. Therefore, softening valves are an essential component for many applications where water needs to be softened.

Key Features of Control Valves

• Valve body: Made of abrasion and corrosion resistant ceramic material with a long service life.
• Easy to install: The valve comes with a bracket, making it easier to install.
• No downtime worries: The settings are fully saved even in the event of a power outage and will continue when the power supply is restored. Users only need to reset the time.
• Button lock: If there is no operation within one minute, the buttons will automatically lock, preventing accidental operation.
• Differential lock function: Thanks to the differential lock function, only one valve remains in the flush or reclaim position, while the rest of the valves remain in normal operation. There are several valves in the complete system.
• Remote control is available: The external signal is received by the connector, and by using the PLC control system or computer, the filter valve is controlled remotely.
• Pressure relief: When the automatic flow of the filter valve is turned on, the pressure between the water feed and the control valve will be relieved to ensure the smooth operation of the booster pump and the control valve.
• All parameters can be adjusted according to your needs: The parameters can be adjusted during operation according to the water quality and usage.
• Alarm is issued in case of no brine.

Do I need to use Control Valves?

There is no requirement for water softening. The decision to purify water is a personal choice that can affect your home and the environment. If your water hardness is greater than 7 grains per gallon or 120 mg/L, you may need a water softener to ensure your appliances operate properly and improve the taste, smell or appearance of your water.

Advantages of using Control Valves or softening valve

• Prevents the build-up of minerals (sediments) on the inside of pipes, fittings and hot water heaters.
• Extends the life of some appliances.
• Reduces or prevents mineral deposits on glassware.
• Prevents or reduces soap scum and detergent scum in sinks, bathtubs, and washing machines.

What do control valves or softening valves do?

Control valves, also called ion exchange units, are devices that remove calcium, magnesium, and other minerals from drinking water. Resin beads inside the softener trap the calcium and magnesium and replace them with sodium or potassium. Once the resin beads are filled with calcium and magnesium, a highly concentrated saline or potassium solution removes the calcium and magnesium from the beads. After passing through the beads, the resulting chloride solution becomes a waste stream that goes down the drain and eventually into the environment.

The correct way to use this type of valve

Make sure it is installed and maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Read the manufacturer’s instructions before adding any chemicals to the unit. Maintaining your softening valve will keep your water quality consistent. In addition:

• If you get your water from a community water system, check to see if your community already softens the water. Fresh water from public utilities doesn’t need any further softening and can cause corrosion problems.
• Make sure your water softener is set to the hardness of your water source. If the hardness is set too high, running the water softener will cost you more money and will waste water, costing you additional money.
• If your home has new copper plumbing, don’t run the water softener for at least the first few weeks of using the water. This will help the plumbing build up a protective mineral layer to reduce the risk of excess copper consumption.
• Make sure to fill your water softener with sodium or potassium chloride according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
• Soften only what you need. People often choose to soften showers, sinks, and laundry connections. Toilets, water hoses, basement sinks, and other cold-water faucets typically don’t need to be connected to a water softener. In many cases, people choose to soften only hot water.
• Depending on the quality of your water, some water softeners may be able to remove Copper, Iron, Manganese, and Radium. In part or all, as well as calcium and magnesium. Note that copper can return to the water after it leaves the water softener and passes through your pipes and plumbing. These devices may have special filter media and may cost more than traditional water softeners. Before using a water softener for this purpose.

Problems that can be avoided by performing regular maintenance on the control valves (softening valves):

• Clogging: If your water source is cloudy, the resin in your water softener may become clogged with sludge and mud. Backwashing usually solves this problem. Adding a sediment filter before the water softener may also help.
• Iron or manganese contamination: Iron or manganese that has been exposed to air or chlorine can clog the resin and prevent it from working. This is known as fouling. It may sometimes be necessary to filter the water before it reaches the water softener. Your water softener should be cleaned to prevent fouling. Commercial cleaners are available if the resin becomes dirty. Cleaners should be used according to the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid fouling.
• Bacteria and fungi: If your water source is not disinfected before the softening process, bacteria and fungi may grow on the surface. This can reduce the effectiveness of your water softener.

If you still have some questions, read also: Everything you need to know about control valves.