Guide to Water Pipe Freeze Protection

Water pipe freeze protection is essential in industries such as food processing and manufacturing, chemical and petrochemical, oil and gas, construction, and agriculture to protect equipment during cold weather.

If water-bearing equipment is unprotected, freezing temperatures can cause burst piping, property damage, and water supply disruptions. A common misconception is that the system will continue functioning when water is at freezing temperatures as long as the water is ‘moving,’ which is untrue. Water expands and freezes at 32°F, regardless of flow rate, which can cause pipes to burst.

Water Pipe Freeze Protection - Frozen Pipes Image

The first step is to assess your facility’s water-bearing systems and determine the most suitable ways to protect water lines from freeze damage.

Some factors to consider are the machinery’s location and the water supply’s criticality.

Equipment that requires freeze protection includes:

  • Piping, valves, and fittings
  • Pumps
  • Filtration systems
  • Holding tanks
  • Condensate systems
  • Fire lines
  • Safety showers and eyewash stations
  • Solar collectors and piping
  • Water lines in farm equipment

It is also wise to have backup protection on heat-traced systems and equipment.

There are various ways to protect water lines from freeze damage. Pipe insulation, electric heat tracing, pipe taping, pipe-heating cable systems, backup generators, space heaters, and freeze protection valves.

What Are Freeze Protection Valves?

Freeze protection valves regulate water flow when the surrounding temperature drops to prevent water from freezing in pipes and systems. Valves typically fall into two categories – manual and automatic.

Manual valves require operators to manually adjust the valve open or closed to initiate or restrict water flow. These valves are an easy solution for freeze protection but have the risk of human error and forgetting to turn the valves on or off, which can cause severe damage or increased water usage.

Thermostatic valves are another option for protecting your systems. These valves are self-actuating and non-electric, preventing water from freezing within pipes and systems by monitoring temperatures and automatically adjusting flow.

How Does a Freeze Protection Valve Work?

Our HAT/FP thermostatic valves sense the water or air temperature and will open to bleed off the cold water until it reaches a safe level. The core technology in these valves is the thermostatic wax actuator. This actuator is sensitive to changes in temperature and can initiate actions based on temperature thresholds.

The valve is typically set to a specific temperature, often 35°F (1.6°C). When the thermostatic actuator senses the temperature is nearing this threshold, it initiates water flow to prevent freezing. Flow is maintained if the discharge water temperature remains below a certain level, typically 40°F (4.4°C).

By automatically initiating flow when temperatures approach the freezing point, the valves help maintain the integrity of the water system and ensure that water continues to flow without the risk of freezing. The valves will close to minimize water waste once the water temperature reaches safe levels.

Because the valve functions without power, it is ideal for explosion-proof and remote areas. They can protect your water systems more effectively than manual balancing and guard against human error.

The flexibility in flow orientation allows them to be adapted to various applications. The freeze protection valve is designed to provide a long service life, ensuring that it remains operational and reliable for an extended period. This longevity reduces maintenance and replacement requirements.

Protect Your Facility with ThermOmegaTech Freeze Protection Valves

Freeze protection valves

ThermOmegaTech’s water line freeze protection valves operate with a proprietary thermostatic wax actuator to protect your resupply lines against freezing. They operate independently to provide water pipe freeze protection and offer the convenience of a low-maintenance, long-lasting solution.

Stop asking yourself, How Do I Keep My Water Pipes from Freezing? The “install it and forget it” approach of the HAT/FP valve simplifies the management of freeze protection. Once the valve is installed, it requires minimal ongoing attention, making it user-friendly.

Another benefit is cost savings; it requires no additional power source and only activates when the water temperature is near freezing, significantly reducing water waste.

Start with ThermOmegaTech and protect your water-bearing systems.

Contact us here.

In the News: Plant Safety Feature Highlighted in Plant Engineering Magazine

Five Ways To Ensure Plant Safety in Processing Facilities

Processing facilities must ensure employees are trained and educated on proper protocols and procedures to maintain a safe working environment. Plant managers should regularly access the facility for risks and ensure sanitization procedures are followed.

Proper employee training and education

Employees are the backbone of any plant, and their knowledge and adherence to safety protocols are crucial. All-inclusive training programs should educate employees on proper hygiene practices, personal protective equipment (PPE) use and equipment handling.

“Regular refresher courses and ongoing education initiatives will help reinforce safety protocols and keep employees informed about the latest processing industry standards,” said Glenn Quinty, senior design engineer at ThermOmegaTech.

Assess facility risks

Conducting a thorough risk assessment is necessary to identify and understand potential hazards within the plant. This assessment involves analyzing the processes, machinery, chemicals and work environments to pinpoint possible sources of danger. Once identified, appropriate control measures can be implemented to mitigate risks and minimize the likelihood of accidents.

Develop proper sanitization procedures

Cleaning and sanitizing chemical, pharmaceutical, food and beverage processing equipment is critical to maintaining hygiene and operational efficiency. These facilities can offer microscopic places for germs and pathogens to hide, especially in cracks and scratches.

Effective sanitization practices should include regularly cleaning and disinfecting all surfaces and equipment. Washdown stations are a part of those best practices. Plant safety

“Using a washdown unit like ThermOmegaTech’s STVM Station that combines steam and water to provide a high-temperature wash has several benefits. Steam and water mixing stations provide instantaneous steam-heated water with pressure behind it, which can kill bacteria, sterilize and break down greases and other residues in processing plants,” Quinty said.

“When factoring in the amount of volume that the steam occupies in the pipe, as it is compressible, it allows more energy transfer per pipeline distribution size than water or electricity. This washdown station sanitizes equipment efficiently and prevents contamination while complying with industry standards,” he said.

Implement emergency safety equipment

Installing emergency equipment to protect personnel is vital to workplace safety. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations address the need for emergency eyewash and shower stations in 1910.151(c) but does not go into specific requirements for the equipment. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z358.1 standard is the widely accepted guideline for adequately selecting, installing, operating, and maintaining emergency showers, eyewashes, eye/face washes and combination units.

ANZI Z358.1 addresses where and how to install the equipment and the flushing liquid’s velocity, pressure and temperature. If a person is exposed to a dangerous substance, they need to flush the area of their body exposed with tepid water as quickly as possible. Using tepid water prevents scalding and low-temperature shock.

There are various solutions for tepid water delivery to these stations, including mixing valves, electric water heaters and instantaneous electric or steam heater systems.

Strict adherence to regulations and industry standards

Adhering to relevant safety regulations and industry standards is non-negotiable. Compliance with legal requirements ensures that the plant operates within established parameters. Regular audits and inspections should be conducted to verify compliance and identify improvement areas.

Maintaining and enforcing employee training and education initiatives, assessing facility risks, following proper sanitization procedures and implementing emergency safety equipment are all ways to ensure your employees are at their safest while working daily.

Questions on how to make your plant or facility safer? Contact ThermOmegaTech here.

 

This article ran on January 18, 2024, in Plant Engineering magazine. Read the full feature here.

 

 

ThermOmegaTech® Announces New NSF/ANSI 61 Certification for Pump Thermal Relief Valves

ThermOmegaTech® is excited to announce its pump thermal relief valves’ NSF/ANSI 61 certification. NSF/ANSI 61 and 372 is an American National Standard that establishes minimum health-effects requirements for the chemical contaminants and impurities indirectly imparted to drinking water from products, components, and materials used in drinking water systems.

ThermOmegaTech’s ECONO/HAT-RA is a thermal relief valve designed to safeguard domestic water supply booster pumps from high-temperature damage caused during system abnormalities like deadheading, construction usage, and VFD (Variable Frequency Drive) troubleshooting errors, all while reducing water waste and increasing overall system efficiency.

“Our thermal relief valves, the ECONO/HAT-RA valves, are often used on pump systems with an NSF/ANSI 61 requirement. Because of this, our customers must obtain approval to use our valves with every system sold.

The benefit of this certification is that the approval will no longer be needed on the customers’ end. This streamlines sales and encourages system engineers to use our products without fear of added internal cost,” explains OEM Sales Manager Tim McCollum, who was instrumental in the valves’ certification.

In addition to the stainless steel ECONO/HAT line, the valves that are now certified include the stainless-steel valves in the HAT and IC lines:

“Listening to our customers is essential to our business, and obtaining this NSF/ANSI 61 certification to streamline the valve ordering process will save time and money for our customers, something ThermOmegaTech® strives to do daily,” McCollum says.

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2023 ThermOmegaTech Year in Review

2023 was a fantastic year, thanks to our customers. Let’s celebrate ThermOmegaTech’s successes and read our Year in Review!

Here are some of the significant accomplishments we are celebrating from our Industrial Division:

NEW CATALOG

Now, you can effortlessly search and find the product renderings, specifications, and more in our 2D/3D Product catalog. This catalog allows our customers to search for the exact size, part number, exact operating temperatures, and other specifications needed for their projects.

NEW LITERATURE & VIDEOS

  • We debuted Full Steam Ahead: Sanitizing with Steam and Water Mixing Stations Whitepaper.
  • We published a feature about sanitation procedures in Food Processing. Read the feature here.
  • We highlighted why industrial washdown stations in food processing facilities are essential in the August issue of Plant Engineering. Read the feature here.
  • We launched a new Talking With TOTs video highlighting our STVM Washdown Station. Watch the full video with Senior Product Specialist Glenn Quinty.


TRADESHOWS WE ATTENDED

Safety show 2023 year in review

We exhibited at several shows in 2023, beginning in May at the Petfood Forum in Kansas City, Missouri.

The Industrial team exhibited at the Safety Show in San Antonio, Texas, in June.

In October, the team wrapped up their travel with the Process Expo in Chicago at McCormick Place Convention Center.

Here are some of the outstanding accomplishments from our Railroad Division:

  • We welcomed Bridget Sexton as our new product manager for our railroad division.
  • Hosted a virtual webinar with Progressive Railroading to promote the importance of freeze protection for locomotives and passenger cars.
  • Interviewed SMS Rail Lines about their success with the GURU DL2.1 and the accompanying rebuild program.
  • Attended the Railway Interchange tradeshow and RailTrends Conference.

Here are some of the outstanding accomplishments from our Commercial Plumbing Division, CircuitSolver®:

  • CircuitSolver is excited to celebrate 10 Years of transforming the plumbing industry. Read about the CircuitSolver journey here.
  • PHCP Pros featured Tom Ruggierio, Director of Sales for Commercial Plumbing, discussing the brand’s success over the last decade in this informative Q&A.
  • Watch our latest webinar on Thermostatic Balancing Valves. Learn the history of DHWS balancing and the types of balancing valves used today while earning 0.10 ASPE CEUs. Watch now!
  • CircuitSolver balancing valves were installed in the hot water recirculating system of a large e-commerce company’s headquarters in Arlington, Virginia. Read about it here.
  • See how this California laboratory remodeled its space to include DTVs in this Drain Tempering Case Study.
  • A magical hotel in California comes to life with CircuitSolver. Read about the installation here.

Here are some of the outstanding accomplishments from our Aerospace and Defense Division:

  • We updated the Thermal Actuator Sell Sheet. Download it here.
  • We released a new Thermal Actuator video and a Talking With TOTs video with Aerospace & Defense Business Development Manager Josh White.

Here are some of the outstanding accomplishments that we’d like to share with you from our Electronics Division:

end of year review D2P Electronics

  • Successfully merged TJM to ThermOmegaTech’s Electronic Division, aiding in developing in-house products for our railroad division.
  • Attended Design 2 Part Tradeshows in Secaucus, NJ, and Oaks, PA.
  • Improved our Bill of Materials (BOM) Scrubbing Tool to help customers quickly determine lead times, potential shortages, part number problems, and missing parts.
  • Maintained our AS9100D, IPC-A-610, and J-STD-001 certifications.

 

Thank you for participating in our journey and reading our 2023 Year in Review.

Have a happy and safe holiday season and a happy New Year. We look forward to working with you in 2024!

ThermOmegaTech to Attend Process Expo 2023 in Chicago to Feature In-Demand Maintenance and Safety Solutions

THERMOMEGATECH ATTENDING PROCESS EXPO 2023 IN CHICAGO AT MCCORMICK PLACE TO SHOWCASE SAFETY AND MAINTENANCE PRODUCTS ON OCTOBER 23-25

(Warminster, PA, USA) ThermOmegaTech is excited to attend the Process Expo 2023 at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL, on October 23-25. Industrial Sales Manager Andy Reichlin, OEM Sales Manager Tim McCollum, and Industrial Account Manager Kristine Wonderly will feature their thermostatic solutions for maintenance and safety with the STVM® Washdown Station, Therm-O-Mix® Tepid Water Delivery Station, ESS Tepid Water Heater, and Thermal Relief Valves for pumps at Booth #4350.

THERMOMEGATECH PRODUCTSWashdown & Tepid Water Group at the Process Expo

ThermOmegaTech’s highest priority is safety! They have developed tepid water solutions for emergency showers and eyewash stations to meet OSHA and ANSI requirements, and also prevent water lines from freezing or overheating to protect personnel and ensure a safe working environment.

Factory-packaged with ThermOmegaTech’s Therm-O-Mix®, the ESS combines cold and tank-heated hot water to deliver a constant 85°F tepid water outlet temperature at the point of use. The unit is completely mechanical and requires no outside electricity to function, making it particularly ideal for explosion-proof industrial environments. See how the Therm-O-Mix® station works here.

Federal regulations require that any facility where workers may be exposed to hazardous or corrosive materials must have immediate access to a tepid water emergency drench system to protect the eyes and body in the event of accidental exposure. The Therm-O-Mix® station consistently supplies tepid water on demand to these fixtures to meet OSHA and ANSI Z358.1 safety requirements. Read more about ThermOmegaTech’s Therm-O-Mix® station here.

ThermOmegaTech supplies an innovative solution to the challenge of difficult-to-maintain steam and water mixing stations used to provide a high-temperature washdown for sanitization procedures at processing plants. See how the STVM Washdown station works here.

ThermOmegaTech is also very interested in speaking with end users of our valves, STVM Washdown Station, and the Therm-O-Mix for case studies and testimonials.
Stop by Booth #4350 at the Process Expo for more information.

We look forward to seeing you at the Process Expo!

The Importance of Industrial Washdown Stations in Food Processing Facilities

Industrial washdown stations are often used in manufacturing, chemical or petrochemical, and food processing facilities as part of cleaning and sanitation procedures where maintaining hygiene is crucial. A bucket of water with a mop and a cleaning agent does not effectively sanitize a plant the way food processing cleaning equipment can.

Cleaning and Sanitation Procedures in the Food Industry

Food assembly workers on Plant Line

Using industrial washdown systems for food processing is important because they help to keep the facility clean and sanitary. They also help to prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses.

Authoritative agencies like the FDA have defined sanitation requirements that each facility must adhere to such as identifying hazards that could impact a production facility.

Food production and detergent residue, liquid, and airborne contamination, transient soil, and microorganisms often are present in food production facilities, which is why washdown stations are recommended in these corporations.

While the hazards present on a production line vary from facility to facility and depend primarily on the specific products produced, they all must be effectively and routinely removed to preserve sanitation and product quality.

Using food processing cleaning equipment can help to reduce costs, too. Regular maintenance and repair of equipment can help to reduce downtime, saving your facility time and money. Regular cleaning and disinfecting of surface areas can also help to reduce labor costs while following a daily process.

Food Processing Cleaning Equipment Limits Downtime

Industrial washdown stations can be used in both commercial and industrial production facilities and are described as stationary equipment that produces a high-pressure and high-temperature stream of water to remove debris while cleaning. However, when used in production facilities such as food processing for meat and dairy, this cleaning equipment offers a fast and efficient cleanup while maintaining sanitation standards.

Food processing cleaning equipment for food processing typically utilizes stations that produce water temperatures at 150°F (65.5°C) or above to quickly cleanse and sanitize surfaces like processing equipment, walls, floors, and other surfaces.

To properly follow cleaning and sanitation procedures for food processing, a washdown system frequently includes a mixing valve that combines hot and cold water along with an industrial-use cleaning agent, if needed.

Using Food Processing Cleaning Equipment Sanitize

Having efficient cleaning equipment in a food processing facility can provide several benefits. By keeping the facility clean, the risk of food contamination is minimized. Food allergies and foodborne illnesses caused by bacteria and viruses can be avoided.

ThermOmegaTech created several washdown systems that offer high-temperature sanitation and maintenance equipment necessary for industrial and food facilities, including steam and water washdown stations with hot water mixing unit hose stations.

To be even more effective, ThermOmegaTech created a specific mixing valve that combines steam and cold water to create a steam water mixing station that lowers the decibel sound in facilities while producing a flow of user-defined stream of water to efficiently sanitize, clean, and kill bacteria.

Choosing The Right Equipment for Food Plant Sanitation

Choosing the right washdown station for your facility can be a challenge. There are a few key factors that should be considered when choosing the equipment for food plant sanitation. Staff should receive proper training on the washdown station when using such as donning the correct clothing and protective gear as well as regularly inspecting and cleaning your equipment.

The ThermOmegaTech® STVM® Washdown Station is used in many processing facilities where a high-temperature washdown is required. The STVM® industrial washdown station combines steam and cold water at a user-set temperature using its proprietary mixing valve.

STVM Steam and Water Washdown Station for Talking With TOTS for Industrial Sanitation

STVM® Steam & Water Washdown Station

The unique Venturi valve throttles open and closed, using a scouring action that minimizes the buildup of minerals, offering a quieter wash without the ‘water hammer effect.’ Plus, the in-line cartridge is easy to replace or clean with no special tools required and takes just a few minutes.

Ultimately, food processing cleaning equipment is an essential component of food-processing plants. They offer a dependable, safe, and easy-to-implement way of keeping these facilities clean and sanitized.

By following the correct processes and safety protocols, companies can ensure that their food-processing facilities are well-maintained and properly sanitized as well as sustain production line schedules.

Questions? We can help! Find more info here or contact us.

ThermOmegaTech Launches New Safety and Maintenance Content at Safety Show ’23 in San Antonio

ThermOmegaTech’s highest priority is safety, where we have developed tepid water solutions for emergency showers and eyewash stations to meet OSHA and ANSI requirements, and also prevent water lines from freezing or overheating to protect personnel and ensure a safe working environment.

ThermOmegaTech recently attended the ASSP Safety Show in San Antonio, Texas, and launched new safety and maintenance content. Andy Reichlin, Industrial Sales Manager, and Tim McCollum, OEM, showcased their thermostatic solutions for maintenance and safety with the STVM® Washdown StationTherm-O-Mix® Tepid Water Delivery StationESS Tepid Water Heater, and Thermal Relief Valves for pumps.

ThermOmegaTech Products

Federal regulations require that any facility where workers may be exposed to hazardous or corrosive materials must have immediate access to a tepid water emergency drench system to protect the eyes and body in the event of accidental exposure.

The Therm-O-Mix® station consistently supplies tepid water on demand to these fixtures to meet OSHA and ANSI Z358.1 safety requirements.

Tepid Water Delivery System, Therm-O-Mix® station

Therm-O-Mix®

Read more about ThermOmegaTech’s Therm-O-Mix® station here.

Factory-packaged with ThermOmegaTech’s Therm-O-Mix®, the ESS combines cold and tank-heated hot water to deliver a constant 85°F tepid water outlet temperature at the point of use. The unit is completely mechanical and requires no outside electricity to function, making it particularly ideal for explosion-proof industrial environments.

See how the Therm-O-Mix® station works here.

ThermOmegaTech recently launched a new STVM video in their video series, Talking with TOTs, that speaks to the effectiveness of the STVM® Washdown Station. In the video, Senior Product Specialist Glenn Quinty takes the viewer through the ease of maintenance and the safety of the washdown station. “It’s so important to maintain a clean environment in food processing, chemical, petrochemical, and pharmaceutical facilities,” Quinty says.

STVM Steam and Water Washdown Station for Talking With TOTS for Industrial Sanitation

STVM® Steam & Water Washdown Station

See the STVM® Washdown Station Talking With TOTs video here.

ThermOmegaTech supplies an innovative solution to the challenge of difficult-to-maintain steam and water mixing stations used to provide a high-temperature washdown for sanitization procedures at processing plants.

See how the STVM Washdown station works here.

Food Industry Executive tells us more here!

ThermOmegaTech Launches New Talking with TOTs Video Featuring STVM® Washdown Station

Video Focuses on High-Temperature Washdown Equipment For Industrial Sanitation

ThermOmegaTech is excited to introduce their newest Talking With TOTs video, featuring Senior Product Specialist Glenn Quinty on ThermOmegaTech’s STVM® Washdown Station.

“We know how critical it is to maintain a clean environment in food processing, dairy, beverage, chemical, petrochemical, and pharmaceutical facilities,” Quinty says. “High-temperature washdown equipment is used to quickly and efficiently clean and sanitize equipment in place to keep production running on time.”

Washdown stations are recommended in food production facilities where transient soil, food production residue, and microorganisms can be present. Not every facility encounters these hazards depending on the specific product it produces, but removing debris, cleaning, and sanitizing is essential to preserving sanitation and product quality.

Steam Water Mixing Valve for Sanitization

Simply put: sanitizing kills bacteria.

Industrial Sanitation comprises several sequences created to protect workers’ health and safety in industrial environments and designed to protect the environment from pollution and industrial waste.

With high temperature washdown equipment, industrial sanitation is achievable. In the Talking with TOTS video, Quinty takes viewers through the washdown process, demonstrating how ThermOmegaTech’s proprietary Silent Venturi Mixing Valve (STVM®) combines steam and water to a user-defined temperature.

STVM Steam and Water Washdown Station for Talking With TOTS for Industrial Sanitation

STVM® Steam & Water Washdown Station

“The steam and water mixing valve’s design is self-scouring, which prevents mineral buildup in tight spaces and reduces maintenance frequency. Maintaining competitor steam and water mixing stations can be time-consuming due to complex disassembly, special tooling requirements, and non-reusable components,” Quinty says.

The compact, reliable, and entirely mechanically operated STVM® Washdown Station is beneficial to any industrial processing plant’s sanitation procedures.

It is more durable and at least 8-15 decibels quieter when compared to competitor units, as found in recent testing.

How to Choose the Right High Temperature Washdown Equipment for Your Facility

Choosing the right washdown equipment can be a challenge, taking into account your facility’s needs and government regulations.

To minimize maintenance downtime and get production lines moving again, the STVM® station is in-line serviceable. The operator simply switches out the STVM® mixing valve cartridge with a spare using a standard wrench, and the unit is operational again in minutes. In contrast, competitor stations must be removed from the wall and completely disassembled to repair, which takes hours and results in more extended downtime.

Operator’s safety is another crucial element that positions the STVM® Station above the competition. Employees should wear the correct PPE (personal protective equipment — including gloves, masks, smocks, etc.) when operating any washdown equipment and have the proper training on the unit. In addition to these safety guidelines, our station has two safety features to help keep your employees safe.

“The mixing valve is designed to reduce flow if the output temperature exceeds the factory set-point and will completely stop flow 15°F above that,” Quinty notes in the video. “The station also has interlocking steam and water shut-off ball valves, so both inlets shut off at the same time to prevent accidental steam-only operation.”

Using food processing cleaning equipment can help to reduce costs, too. Regular maintenance and repair of equipment can help to minimize downtime, saving your facility time and money. Regular cleaning and disinfecting of surface areas can also help to reduce labor costs while following a daily process.

Watch the full Talking With TOTs video here.

If you have questions about the STVM® Washdown Station or want information on pricing and lead times, please don’t hesitate to contact us or one of our authorized distributors.

How an East Coast Rail Company Prevents Their Locomotives From Freezing

The GURU® Plug – The #1 Freeze Protection Valve

Freeze protection is essential for locomotives during winter months to prevent catastrophic damage to equipment. A diesel locomotive’s cooling system is at risk of freezing when the locomotive is turned off. If the cooling water freezes, it can cause the piping and tanks to crack, resulting in extensive damage, lengthy repairs, and interrupted schedules.

GURU PLUGOperators could keep their locomotives running at all hours to prevent a freeze-up, but that can contribute to air pollution and fuel waste. Another more cost-effective and efficient way is to install ThermOmegaTech’s GURU® Plug.

The Opportunity

The GURU® DL2.1  thermostatic drain valve is installed at the lowest point within the cooling system and automatically responds to engine coolant temperature.

The Plug will snap open and drain the system if the water temperature reaches the Plug’s set point, typically 35°F. This provides almost a full one-inch bore to rapidly drain a typical locomotive’s coolant system before freeze damage can occur. The Plug can be reset when the operator is ready to refill the locomotive and return it to service.

SMS Locomotive using GURU Plug

SMS Rail Lines, a one-stop provider of rail distribution services to businesses along the Washington, D.C. to Boston corridor, is based in Bridgeport, New Jersey, and has been using ThermOmegaTech’s GURU® Plugs for over a decade on their locomotive cooling systems and compressors.

SMS Rail Lines operates over 6 miles of track throughout Pureland Industrial Park in Bridgeport, New Jersey, providing service daily, including on-demand rail switching and daily interchange with Class I railways CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern Corporation.

SMS Rail Lines also offers rail-to-truck and truck-to-rail transloading, warehousing, distribution services, and rail car storage at this location, with 12 locomotives in service at any given time. Additionally, the company restores, maintains, and operates historic Baldwin diesel locomotives.

Utilizing the GURU® Plug

“We normally have 12 to 14 locomotives in service at any given time,” General Manager Brian Murray explains. “Some of our locomotives have only a single GURU if they are plumbed in a way where everything can drain to a central location. We have a couple with a second GURU to handle additional low points in the cooling system. Our GE locomotives have 4 GURUs. They have 2 GURUs to handle low-point general draining and 2 on the low-pressure heads of the water-cooled air compressor.”

SMS operators have previously used other freeze protection devices on their locomotives. “We initially used ‘that other name brand.’ It would occasionally open while the engine was hot and running,” said GM Murray. Because of this, he looked for another solution and was introduced to ThermOmegaTech’s GURU® Plugs over ten years ago by then-product manager Dana Logue.

The GURU® Plug Rebuild Program

The GURU® Plug satisfied their needs and came with an additional perk – the GURU® Rebuild Program. ThermOmegaTech® offers a rebuild program for the self-actuating GURU® Plug, which protect thousands of locomotives from freeze damage annually. The program allows customers to return their old GURU® Plugs to be cleaned, refurbished, retested, and returned, so customers get back an almost brand new valve.

“We are very happy with ThermOmegaTech® and think the GURU® Plug is terrific. We have never had a GURU fail to open when necessary. As the end user, we should probably do a better job at keeping track of which GURU plug is in which locomotive and how old they are,” stated GM Murray.

Brian with Guru Plug

Luckily for SMS Rail Lines, there’s an easy way to track that!

Each GURU® Plug has a yearly-rotated color cap which is also laser marked with its month and year of manufacture. ThermOmegaTech® recommends changing the GURU® Plugs every 18-24 months, as the GURU® Plug’s actuator loses a small amount of stroke as it ages beyond one year. This stroke loss causes the release temperature and the manual reset temperature to creep upward. While this is a “safe” tendency for freeze protection, the upward creep can eventually cause nuisance dumping.

The colored caps rotate through 5 colors over 5 years and visually indicate the year it was built. Maintenance personnel can compare the cap’s color against our chart to determine when it needs to be sent back for rebuild. SMS has taken advantage of this perk and utilizes the rebuild program yearly.

“We send in about 4 or 5 valves per year for rebuilding to have them on hand. Our cost savings are significant as we have a lot of older GURUs around, so it makes sense to rebuild them,” says GM Murray.

And when they come back, rebuilt, and refurbished, GM Murray says they are good as new, and they’ve never had any issues.

The Result of the GURU® Plug

GURU Plug on locomotive

“In my experience, all the folks at ThermOmegaTech® are genuinely interested in providing to the railroad industry effective, reliable solutions. The staff is always accessible and willing to work cooperatively with the customer to examine the need and suggest the appropriate product,” says James Pfeiffer – Superintendent of Operating Practices.

“Customer feedback is welcomed, technical questions are quickly answered, and the engineering department is seemingly always working on something new and improved. And they do all this while maintaining first-class customer service.”

If you are interested in hearing more about Locomotive Freeze Protection and how the GURU® Plugs can help save you time, energy, and money, we’d love to help. Contact us today.

Read the full GURU® Plug case study here.

Hear how it works with our Talking With TOTS video!

Full Steam Ahead: Sanitizing with Steam and Water Mixing Stations Whitepaper

Washdown stations ensure cleanliness in food processing, dairy, breweries, wineries, chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, and other industrial facilities where a high-temperature washdown is required.

Traditional cleaning methods include soap, hot water, and sometimes chemical disinfectants. These procedures may require breaking down equipment to ensure all components are efficiently cleaned and sanitized. If chemicals are used to sanitize a processing plant, especially in food and beverage, labor costs, the possibility of safety hazards, and the overall sanitization time increase.

Utilizing a Steam and Water Mixing Valve to Sanitize Processing Plants

Sanitizing your facility or plant using a steam and water mixing valve is one of the most efficient ways. Using steam to heat the water is more beneficial than chemical cleansing because it avoids chemical agents and can reduce labor times and water consumption.

Steam and water mixing valve stations provide instantaneous high-temperature steam-heated water with pressure behind it, which can kill bacteria, sterilize, and break down greases and other residues in processing plants. The World Health Organization states that bacteria are rapidly killed at temperatures between 149°F and 185°F degrees.

There’s also less downtime for dismantling and reassembly when utilizing steam-heated water to sanitize manufacturing equipment. Steam is sterile as well as being an excellent carrier of heat. Harmful chemicals are also used less or not at all, allowing for more uptime and a safer environment for personnel; while they are doing their jobs.

Not just anyone can utilize high-temperature steam and water mixing washdown stations. Plant personnel must be trained on proper use to ensure safety because the goal is to sanitize, and the goal of the plant is safety.

STVM® Steam & Water Washdown Station

STVM Steam and Water Mixing Valve Washdown Station

ThermOmegaTech’s STVM® Steam & Water Washdown Station has been designed to put the safety of maintenance operators first. Every STVM® Washdown Station is built-to-last and has two built-in safety features – interlocking ball valves to prevent steam-only operation and an automatic shut-off when output is 15°F over the unit’s temperature set-point (either 150°F or 185°F) or when cold water flow is interrupted.

This Washdown Station also incorporates unique Venturi mixing technology to deliver water at the required temperature quickly, quietly, and on demand.

The ‘ST’ in STVM stands for ‘Silent Type,’ meaning it is quieter than other washdown mixing stations. The Venturi effect mixes water in smoother than other steam-to-water mixing stations on the market, which can cause cavitation downstream of the mixing valve.

The steam-supplied station is a self-contained mechanical control unit, so it doesn’t require external hookups for electrical, instrumentation controls, or compressed air.

Find out how the STVM washdown station can efficiently clean your facility. Read more and download the Full Steam Ahead Whitepaper.

2022: ThermOmegaTech’s Year in Review

2022 was a fantastic year, thanks to our customers! ThermOmegaTech® has been able to meet its goals despite facing industry-wide supply chain issues. Let’s celebrate ThermOmegaTech’s Year in Review!

2022 HIGHLIGHTS

Here are some of the significant accomplishments we are celebrating from our Industrial Market:

  • Andy Reichlin joined our team in March as our Industrial National Sales Manager. Andy has held roles in communications, marketing, and sales, managing national distribution networks for various industrial products, including bearings and pumps, over the last 20 years. His expertise has helped us to grow our distribution network and support our authorized distributors.
  • We hosted our first inaugural Distributor Advisory Council, which included representation from six authorized distributors. This was incredibly beneficial as they were able to tour our facility, and we could share ideas and resources for the upcoming year.
  • We also added two new U.S. distributors, Industrial and Construction Enterprises and Schimberg Co., and two new International distributors, Glotex and Tubes International.

NEW LITERATURE & VIDEOS

  • We launched an eBook with Food Processing Magazine in November ’22 on how sanitizing food processing facilities with steam-heated water provides a simple and efficient way to maintain a sterile work environment. Download it here.
  • We created a whitepaper on the Steps to Developing an Effective Sanitization Procedure in plants and facilities, which you can download here.
  • We also released this application sheet on Thermostatic Control Valves for Cooling Balancing Applications.
  • We were excited to release this video on HCX and HCS Washdown Stations for Breweries, Wineries & Other Facilities Without Steam. To ensure a high-powered wash that guarantees cleanliness in production facilities, ThermOmegaTech® offers the most economical, safe, and efficient washdown systems and equipment.

TRADESHOWS WE ATTENDED

ASSP Expo 2022: Industrial Safety Trade Show

We had a great time networking and meeting associates at the 2022 ASSP Expo.

Here are some of the great accomplishments that we’d like to share with you from our Rail Division:

  • Increased sales steadily as we moved out of the pandemic and remained the leader in locomotive freeze protection for all the Class I’s in North America.
  • Significant growth in the passenger car freeze protection market thanks to a big focus on the GURU PC® with its electric heater assembly to ensure prospects are aware of the need for freeze protection and options available for passenger cars.
  • Dana Logue, Engineering Project Manager, and Glenn Quinty, Senior Engineering Product Specialist, participated in RT&S Railway Age Virtual Conference: Winter Preparedness. Watch it on demand here!

Here are some of the outstanding accomplishments that we’d like to share with you from our Commercial Plumbing Division, CircuitSolver®:

  • We launched the new CircuitSolver Union Cold Water balancing valve (CSU-CW). This valve automatically and continuously balances a cold water recirculation system to discourage Legionella bacteria colonization and reduce stagnation.
  • Project Manager Eric McTee of ME Engineers details his experience specifying CircuitSolver® over the last few years in this testimonial.
  • We released two new videos, a How it Works video on CircuitSolver® and one on the new Cold Water CircuitSolver® valve.
  • Read more about CircuitSolver’s Year in Review on the CircuitSolver® website.

Here are some of the great accomplishments that we’d like to share with you from our Aerospace and Defense Division:

  • We hired Josh White as our A&D Business Development Manager and are excited about his work in the Aerospace and Defense Division. Josh is a former Air Force One pilot with over 20 years of operational military aviation experience. His expertise and skills in the aerospace industry will help us to develop new processes and streamline our strategies to serve our customers better.
  • We have brought on a new A&D rep J.D. Technologies Global, who works with high-quality, complementary manufacturers of products and services that serve the aerospace, military & defense, medical, and industrial markets. We are very excited about this partnership and proud of the work we’ve done with them in 2022, and looking forward to 2023.
  • Read more about our A&D Division’s Year in Review on the Aerospace & Defense website.

Looking Forward

Our Electronics Affiliate, TJM Electronics, has merged with ThermOmegaTech® and will now operate under the ThermOmegaTech® brand as our Electronics Division! Read about this breaking news here!

Thank you for being a part of our journey, and have a happy New Year! We look forward to working with you in 2023!

Protect Your Employees From Freezing with Thermostatic Valves

Thermostatic Freeze Protection: Winter is the time to protect your pipes and personnel.

Water-bearing piping must be appropriately winterized to keep temperature-sensitive processes and equipment functioning optimally throughout the freeze season. When water lines to cooling and condensate systems, safety showers, and eyewash or facewash stations are left exposed to the elements, or their heat tracing fails, freezing temperatures can cause frozen or burst piping. This can lead to overheated equipment and severely dangerous working conditions for your employees, which can interrupt systems, burst piping, and cause lengthy and costly repairs.

If safety shower, eyewash, or facewash station water lines freeze, personnel could be at significant risk of being unable to cleanse after contamination exposure. Condensate drain lines are also in danger of freezing even if it is electrically heat traced and the tracing malfunctions or the facility loses power.

ThermOmegaTech’s self-actuating temperature control valves are the ideal water line freeze protection solution.

HAT/FP Freeze Protection Valve

The HAT/FP valve is designed to sense the water temperature in the pipe or ambient temperature, depending on installation. The valve will gradually open to bleed off the cold water when temperatures approach the valve’s set point, typically 35°F (1.6°C).

Once the flow is initiated, the valve will remain open until the discharge water temperature is 5 degrees above that, typically 40°F (4.4°C). Once the freeze danger passes, the valve will modulate closed again to conserve water and reduce wastewater disposal costs.

These 100% mechanical valves require no power source to operate, eliminating the human errors associated with manual valves. They can also save you thousands on your water or energy bills.

Result: Guaranteed freeze protection and water savings because of the reliable and automatic HAT/FP thermostatic valves.

Read the feature on HAT/FP valves in the latest issue of Plant Engineering.

TJM Electronics to Merge with ThermOmegaTech

TJM Electronics Merger Announcement

Electronics manufacturer to merge with affiliate company.

(Warminster, Pennsylvania) TJM Electronics is pleased to announce that it will merge with its affiliate company, ThermOmegaTech. Effective January 1, 2023, TJM will operate under the ThermOmegaTech brand as their electronics division.

TJM Electronics has been leading the way in electronics contract manufacturing since 1989. TJM became one of the first automated SMT companies certified to MIL-STD-2000 on the East coast. Since then, TJM has provided high-quality PCB assemblies utilizing cutting-edge technology to the aerospace, defense, medical, industrial, LED lighting, and non-commodity consumer electronics markets.

In 2019, TJM was purchased by Logue Family Holdings, the parent company of ThermOmegaTech, a leading thermostatic valve, and actuator design and manufacturing corporation. For almost 40 years, ThermOmegaTech has been creating temperature control solutions for a wide range of applications and currently services the railroad, commercial plumbing, aerospace, defense, and an array of industrial markets.

Last summer, TJM moved from its Bristol location to its current facility in Warminster, PA, located in the same building as ThermOmegaTech’s manufacturing plant and office space.

“This merger is a huge strategic advantage for TJM as it will help streamline processes and improve communication channels throughout the organization,” said Jim Logue, Jr., President, CEO of ThermOmegaTech and TJM Electronics. “Combining ThermOmegaTech’s mechanical design and manufacturing capabilities with TJM’s electrical manufacturing abilities will open the door to new opportunities and help to continue growth in our current markets.”

This partnership is also expected to result in greater efficiencies and eliminate redundancies in their systems, such as combining the AS9100D certification for both companies into one.

As with all important business decisions, ThermOmegaTech will work closely with its customers and employees to make the integration process as smooth as possible. Beyond the name change, customers should not see any major changes in the products and services they receive from both companies.

 

About ThermOmegaTech, Inc:

For almost 40 years, ThermOmegaTech has been a leader in designing and manufacturing self-actuated thermostatic technology valves and actuators. Founded in 1983, ThermOmegaTech is a privately held small business with 40,000 square feet of manufacturing and office facility located near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The company provides innovative solutions for various applications, including freeze & scald protection, mixing & diverting, steam tracing control, thermal bypass, tepid water delivery, washdown, balancing, drain tempering, and many others applications where temperature control is critical. Key industries it serves include railroad, commercial plumbing, aerospace & defense, and industrial.

ThermOmegaTech specializes in manufacturing prototype/small volume and highly engineered custom products utilizing phase-change thermostatic actuator technology to satisfy individual project needs.

ThermOmegaTech’s R&D, manufacturing, assembly, testing, inspection, sales, and customer service departments are all located in one facility for maximum efficiency and effective communication. Its QMS is certified to AS9100D standards demonstrating the focus on quality, and its products are distributed and used worldwide.

ThermOmegaTech and Grundfos Announce Partnership

This month, ThermOmegaTech and Grundfos announced a partnership, bringing together two industry leaders to simplify and enhance domestic plumbing systems and installations for contractors throughout the United States.

Beginning in late Q1, the partnership will offer a new packaged solution featuring ThermOmegaTech’s CircuitSolver® product line with the appropriate pump from the Grundfos MAGNA Series.

“We are excited about growing our relationship with a well-respected worldwide company like Grundfos,” said Tom Ruggierio, national business development manager at ThermOmegaTech. “Having two companies with innovative, synergistic products working together will bring optimized solutions for domestic hot water systems that will serve the plumbing community well.”

The partnership supports the companies’ shared goals of enhancing the accessibility and conservation of water, our most precious resource, by providing solutions that exceed energy and efficiency standards. “Working together allows us to save time for contractors who no longer need to source the appropriate pump style and size,” said Ruggierio. “The CircuitSolver® solution will now come with an expert-recommended pump, allowing contractors to focus their efforts on what they do best — the installation.”

“We continue to be impressed by the innovation of our ThermOmegaTech partner. Joining forces is a win-win opportunity for both companies as well as our manufacturer representatives, contractors, and the homeowners,” said Barry Nauss, Grundfos vice president of HVAC OEM. “When used together, our products greatly minimize water consumption and increase energy efficiency by optimizing the recirculating flow rate. This ensures the precise amount of water and power are utilized as water rotates through the system versus flowing down the drain. We’re proud to offer our new, sustainability-focused packaged solutions to the market.”

Grundfos and ThermOmegaTech will also offer expert training sessions together in 2022 with the goal of increasing awareness of the benefits their product portfolios bring to a domestic hot water system.

ThermOmegaTech’s 2021 Year In Review

2021 was a busy year for ThermOmegaTech! Thanks to our loyal customers, supporting partners, and highly trained and dedicated staff, we met our goals while delivering on-time, quality products throughout the year! Check out our most significant accomplishments and industry highlights in 2021 in this Year In Review blog!

INDUSTRIAL HIGHLIGHTS

In 2021, we welcomed three new industrial distributors to support ThermOmegaTech in representing our industrial products.

Centro, Inc.

Centro Inc. was brought on in Q1 as one of our industrial distributors representing ThermOmegaTech’s products in Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Kentucky, & Florida Panhandle.

Cooney Brothers, Inc. 

A big welcome to Cooney Brothers, one of our recent local industrial
distributors representing the Philadelphia tri-state area – Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania.

In early October, Cooney Brothers visited our facility to learn about ThermOmegaTech’s products and capabilities to help them bring awareness to their territories.

Pipe Valves, Inc.

Representing the Buckeye State of Ohio, Pipe Valves, Inc. is our newest industrial distributor serving Ohio and surrounding areas. We are excited to see what’s to come as we kick off the new year!

RAILROAD HIGHLIGHTS

We released a new Guru product design – a valve tee with JIC adapters.

Launched our Talking with TOTs (TWT) web series to touch on ThrermOmegaTech’s products and processes:

Continued our partnership with Tubes International, our international representative in Poland, for our line of railroad freeze protection products for locomotives and passenger cars. Remained the leader in locomotive freeze protection across all the Class I’s in North America.

PLUMBING HIGHLIGHTS

We had a record-breaking sales performance for the CircuitSolver product line and developed a new product to be released in early Q2 of 2022.

We welcomed additional Manufacturer Representative partners to the team:

  • Mid-America covering Iowa and Nebraska
  • Big Rivers Marketing covering Kansas, Missouri, Southern Illinois, and Western Kentucky
  • BDA covering Indiana and Eastern Kentucky

Obtained 3 video testimonials for ThermOmegaTech’s products through our rep channel:

Attended ASPE Tech Symposium and presented cold water recirculation as part of a joint panel discussion with other industry stakeholders and  BOMA (Building Owners Management Association) International Conference in Boston in October:

AEROSPACE & DEFENSE HIGHLIGHTS

Worked on custom designs of thermal control actuators and valves for:

  • A space application
  • Fuel oil heater for an aircraft engine
  • Hydraulic and avionics system liquid cooling programs for various aircraft
  • Cooling for ground-based radar systems

We presented in a Tech Briefs webinar on Thermostatic Control Valves: When Precise Thermal Management Matters Most. Missed it? No worries! Click here to watch it online. We also presented in an Aviation Week webinar on why thermal bypass & thermostatic control are critical in A&D applications. Watch the webinar below:

We developed 2 technical papers about utilizing thermostatic technology in Aerospace and Defense applications.

We relocated our sister company, TJM Electronics, to ThermOmegaTech’s headquarters in Warminster, PA, to increase efficiency and effective resource sharing while allowing us to offer PCBAs, Box Builds, and other electronic contracts manufacturing services under one roof.

Logue Family Holdings also produced 2 new videos: LFH Facility Tour & Production Capabilities, to highlight how our companies can help our customers!

 

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