December 9, 2022 Solenoid Valves

How to select a solenoid valve for extreme performance.

The demand for smaller, more accurate, and higher-performing instruments is constantly growing, especially in the medical industry. There are several applications in this field that require extreme levels of performance such as in analytical chemistry (mass spectrometry and gas chromatography) and medical devices (laser therapy and hemodialysis).

One component that is helping meet this growing demand is the solenoid valve. These valves are used in a variety of instruments because they offer precision control in gas and liquid handling applications. They can be found in a wide range and each one employs a different mechanism to control the media.

Most of the solenoid valves are typically used as automatic valves because of their high efficiency, ease of use, and relatively low prices. They have been commonly used in several major end-user industries such as oil and gas, automotive, food and beverages, and the utility sector. However, the demand from medical instrument manufacturers is growing as well. They need reliable, efficient, innovative components to meet the needs of new, demanding applications. And this is where solenoid valves fit the job perfectly.

When a solenoid valve is being selected for an application, there are four key factors considered. These are:

i) Pressure going into the valve

ii)Type and state of the fluid

iii) Size of the pipe connections to the valve

iv) Voltage

Once you figure out these needs, you can easily select the right kind of valve for the job.

However, there are some other capabilities that are often looked at when these valves are used in applications requiring extreme levels of performance. These capabilities are:

1. Low Leak Rate

A very low level of leak rate in valves can be quite challenging. However, there are certain applications wherein the fluids being controlled are expensive and a small leak could cause unexpected waste. Similarly, in analytical chemistry applications, a leak like this can result in inaccuracies. Solenoid valves allow instrument manufacturers to simplify their designs by reducing the need for secondary positive shut-off valves.

2. High Temperature

A typical miniature valve has maximum operating temperatures in the range of 60–80°C. However, for applications requiring extreme levels of performance, solenoid valves of the highest quality are preferred. They can support high-temperature applications up to 105°C (221°F).

3. High Pressure

There are some applications wherein a high pneumatic pressure capability is required. For such tasks, a valve with an orifice rated up to 86 bar (1,250 psi) is considered ideal. When these valves are available, manufacturers can eliminate the use of expensive hydraulic valves as potential options.

4. Fast Response Time

The performance and safety of the pneumatic system depend on the performance of solenoid valves to a large extent. The response time and maximum action frequency of the valves become even more important in high-precision and high-speed pneumatic systems. In such conditions, a valve with a very strong solenoid can offer a fast response time of <5msec.

Faster response time is also considered useful in applications where timing is used to estimate the volume of fluid being used in the application. In such cases, valves with potentially long response times may compromise the accuracy of the volume of fluid being dispensed.

Solenoid valves are an important component in today’s delicate works. They are commonly used in automated manufacturing systems, automobiles, refrigeration, and AC systems. But their unique features and capabilities have found them a place in applications requiring extreme levels of performance as well., especially in the medical industry. There are several applications in this field that require extreme levels of performance such as in analytical chemistry (mass spectrometry and gas chromatography) and medical devices (laser therapy and hemodialysis).

Subscribe to Industry Today