American Wheatley HVAC Check Valves are engineered for silent operation and even little head loss. The Wafer Style Non-Slam Check Valve will automatically prevent your system from experiencing a back-flow, when your system is desired to flow in one direction only and keep the flow from moving in the opposite direction. The disc in this valve will open automatically, as soon as the pump begins the downstream flow, providing the amount of pressure required to move in the forward direction. The disc is also going to close automatically, when the pump has stopped and the flow has started to slow down – closing before the reversal of the flow. This ensures that the reversal of the flow was positively shut off.

HVAC Check Valves Available:

1. Wafer Style Non Slam
2. Flanged Globe Style Non Slam
3. Dual Disc Non Slam
4. Threaded Silent

Wafer Style Non Slam Check Valve

The Wafer Style Non Slam Check Valve is designed for silent operation, closing the check valve before the reversal of the flow, and even for low head loss, decreasing the amount of fluid pressure. This check valve will completely eliminate your water hammer, reduce your pressure loss, and provide maximum efficiency. Our Wafer Style Check Valve comes engineered with a compact flange design. It’s activated at a low psi of ¼ through ½, and the sizes we have available are 2 inch through 16 inch. The 2 inch through the 6 inch are Dual Rated at 125 and 250 psi.

Flanged Globe Style Non Slam Check Valve

The Flanged Globe Style Non Slam Check Valve is designed for silent operation and low head loss, allowing for the check valve to close before the reversal of the flow and decreasing the amount of pressure. This valve will get rid of your water hammer, providing little pressure loss, and maximum efficiency. This Check Valve comes with a compact design flange face to flange face, providing the shortest feasible face to face dimensions. This valve is activated at a low psi of ¼ through ½. The sizes we have available for this valve are 2 inch through 16 inch.

Flanged Dual Disc Non Slam Check Valve

The Flanged Dual Disc Non Slam Check Valve has a painted exterior and is available in sizes ranging through 2 and 16 inches. They have ductile iron bodies, with flanged ends. This check valve is designed with a compact wafer design and comes with little head loss. It is engineered with a stabilized disc and stop pins, and non-slam closing characteristics. This valve allows for a lift and pivot disc action, and has drop light seating at low and high pressures.

Threaded Silent Check Valve

The Threaded Silent Check Valve is available in sizes ranging from ½ inch through 2 inches. These check valves are designed with bronze bodies and threaded ends. They provide silent operation and allow for a fast closure, in order to prevent check valve slam water hammer.

For more information regarding the American Wheatley HVAC Valves we have available, visit our HVAC Valves product page. Please don’t hesitate to contact us, anytime, for any question you may have or for more information regarding American Wheatley HVAC Check Valves.

Having an air separator in your HVAC system greatly affects the system’s overall performance, especially in a chilled-water system. While air elimination is important in any ventilation setting, it is more important in the chilled-water system than in a hot-water system because the cold-water unit can hold more air inside the tank.

Air separation is a common term when discussing HVAC equipment. There is a wide variety of Air Separators, and there are several uses depending on your needs.

While Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) is necessary even in a ventilation system with manual vents, it is still very important to consider having an air separator because no hydronic system is airtight. Otherwise, the constant air/water mixture being pumped will dramatically decrease heat transfer efficiencies. A proper air separator also decreases oxygen exposure which is important because oxygen causes a large amount of corrosion that will contaminate the system.

What are the HVAC Air Separator options?

Some options for air separation units are:

• Tangential Air Separators
• In-Line Air Separators
• Sediment-Removal Separators
• Air & Dirt Separators
• Air Purgers or Air Scoops

Along with the outlined air separators, there are also options available for these units such as:

• Strainer
• Less Strainer
• MG – Magnetic Options

If you are interested in a more customized solution, please reach out to us regarding custom fabrication.

How do these Air Separators work?

Each air separator has its own method for air elimination. Below, we describe the outlined options listed above.

Tangential Air Separators 

The Tangential Air Separator design provides air-free fluid flow which protects against damage and system noise. This unit features grooved or flanged inlet and outlet connections. The tangential design results in a smaller unit. There are higher-working pressures available for this air separator.

In-line Air Separators 

Our In-line Air Separators series offers a lower-cost alternative for air separation in hydronic heating and cooling systems. The IAS/IASS series becomes a point of lower system velocity by changing the direction of flow through the device.

This lower velocity along with the change in direction allows air molecules to separate from water. Once the separation occurs, the air rises within the inline air separator. Then, it is discharged through the vent opening at the top of the vessel. This will go to either the atmosphere or an expansion tank.

Sediment Removal Separators 

The Sediment Removal Separator (SRS) is a centrifugal-type sediment removal. While the design is similar to the TAS Series Air Separator, the SRS also offers the advantage of solids removal.

The tangential design allows for sediment removal through the vortex action, which forces suspended sediment to the outside of the vessel and into the bottom sump. You can then easily remove the sediment. The tangential action also creates a vortex that forces entrained air into the center and removes it through the top opening. It is then released into the atmosphere or sent to an expansion tank.

Air & Dirt Separators

The High-Velocity and STAD Standard Velocity Coalescing Air & Dirt Separator is intended for use on commercial HVAC, institutional, and industrial applications to remove entrained air and particulate from system water. This is accomplished by the use of a High-Performance saddle ring coalescing assembly internal to the separator. 

Air Purgers (Air Scoops)

The Air Purger or Air Scoop operates on the premise that air rises in the piping and then into the unit. It is directed to the top opening and out of the system through an air vent or to an expansion tank. Since the proper operation of this type of air separator is also dependent on velocity, sizing this type of air separator is a function of proper flow rate. This type of air separation is best suited for residential and light commercial applications.

How to determine Air Elimination Efficiency

Need Assistance?

There are plenty of model options available at American Wheatley HVAC. If you are uncertain which of these models will work best for you or need more customization, please reach out to us. We are eager and ready to help you find the right solution for your needs! 

* Our American Wheatley HVAC Brand Air Separators are constructed and stamped according to ASME Section VIII Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code requirements and National Board registered.

American Wheatley HVAC offers a full range of Shell & Tube and Plate & Frame heat exchangers available in sizes 4″ through 30″, manufactured in accordance with ASME Section VIII. We also offer a complete line of Plate & Frame Heat Exchangers. Whether you’re heating or cooling, these heat exchangers are dependable and powerful with or without fluid separation, American Wheatley HVAC has what you need to complete your projects.

What is a Heat Exchanger?

A heat exchanger is a device that transfers thermal heat from one medium to another. Often this device is manufactured into numerous types of Heat Exchangers such as Shell & Tube and Plate & Frame. All exchangers are an important part of assisting in cooling and heating of homes and business, but also help in machines work more efficiently.

What types of Heat Exchangers are available?

American Wheatley HVAC offers a full range of Shell & Tube and Plate & Frame heat exchangers which affords higher efficiencies, lower fouling, and modular construction that can easily be field modified. The high turbulence of a plate heat exchanger reduces fouling risks while increasing performance. An optimized PHE will be ½ the size (or less) than an equivalent shell & tube while reaching approach temperatures as low as 2°F.  American Wheatley’s shell & tube exchangers range from size 4″ through 30″.

Shell and Tube

Shell &Tube Heat Exchangers consist of a large number of small tubes which are located within a cylindrical shell. These tubes are positioned into cylinders using a tube bundle that is often referred to as “tube sticks” which can either have fixed tube plates or a floating tube stack which allows the tube bundle to expand and contract with varying heat conditions.

Standard Features

• Constructed in accordance with ASME Section VIII
• U-Tube construction
• High degree of flexibility in materials to meet varying conditions
• Available in 2. 4, or 6 pass construction
• All fabrication done in-house
• National board registration

Optional Features

• Additional materials for heads, tubesheets, baffles, and tie rods
• CRN registration
• Optional saddles
• Computerized selections available through authorized HVAC representatives

Plate and Frame

Plate Heat Exchangers are operated similarly to Shell & Tube Heat Exchangers, though plates are used instead of tubes. These plates are usually blazed or gasketed depending on the application and fluids being used. This more compact and stainless steel option makes them ideal for use in refrigerants or in food and beverage processing. 

Capability

• Port diameter sizes from 1″ to 20″
• Up to 20,000 GPM (4,450 m³/hr)
• Maximum pressure rating of 450 psi
• Maximum temperature rating of 374°F (190°C)

Features

• Modular frame design allows for easy plate pack modification if the working medium or thermal requirements change.
• Optimized plate corrugation ensures even flow distribution across the entire plate surface.
• Tool-less and adhesive-free gaskets for quick maintenance.
• Self-aligning plate pack geometry virtually eliminates plate pack problems even after repeated service.

How Do You Install a Heat Exchanger?

As with any installation, be sure to allow sufficient clearance at the end of the unit for removal or tub bundle. Install the unit so that the pipe connections can be made without forcing them to fit into place. Next, appropriately install the valves and by-passes to permit both the shell & tube bundle to be shut off for inspection, repairs, and cleaning. Finally, the tubing must be full of water before introducing steam or hot water into the shell, otherwise flashing or noise may occur. 

Prior to start-up, all nuts should be checked to prevent leaks and blown gaskets. Open the cold side first, then gradually start the hot side, bringing unity to the operating conditions. Always remember to use caution when starting up the heat exchanger and to slowly start up the device to avoid temperature shock to the device.

Need Further Information?

We, at American Wheatley, offer a wide range of options for Heat Exchangers for various usages. Don’t hesitate to contact us for any questions you may have as we are happy to help find the right solution for you!

Contact Us Today!