Thermal Actuator

2024 ThermOmegaTech Year in Review

/ 0 Comments / in News, Product, ThermOmegaTech / by Christine Tarlecki

Thanks to our customers, 2024 was a fantastic year. Let’s celebrate ThermOmegaTech’s successes and read our 2024 Year in Review!

ThermOmegaTech 2024 Year in Review

EXPANSION NEWS

ThermOmegaTech manufacturing expansion

  • We announced the expansion of our manufacturing facility. This expansion added 23,000 square feet and incorporated new manufacturing, R&D, and office space for the company’s growing divisions.
  • We installed 3 new CNC turning centers and lathes and have integrated automation into our some of our operations with a Cobot robot.
  • In our Electronics area we expanded our production space by 40% and increased inventory capacity by 350%.
  • We also installed new equipment such as a 13-zone oven with nitrogen atmosphere capability for superior soldering, a new stencil printer with an accelerated 15-second print cycle and automated cleaning function, and a second aqueous cleaner to accommodate increased production volume.

NEW HIRES

  • Ken Kramer joined the sales team as our Industrial Specification Manager.
  • Josue Vazquez joined our CircuitSolver® team as our Eastern Region Commercial Plumbing Sales Manager.
  • Steve Morehead joined our CircuitSolver® team as our Western Region Commercial Plumbing Sales Manager.

NEW PRODUCTS AND CERTIFICATIONS

  • STVM washdown with welded componentsWe added a new version of the STVM®: A stainless steel washdown option with welded components. This unit offers superior strength and leak-free sealing for the most demanding applications.
  • We introduced the Thermal Bypass Valve with Pressure Relief (TBV-PR), which integrates temperature control and pressure relief into one valve.
  • ThermOmegaTech® obtained NSF/ANSI 61 certification on our pump thermal relief valves and various other industrial valves.

FEATURED CONTENT & VIDEOS

We created several new content pieces:

  • We created a new presentation, Thermal Actuated Valves: Enhancing System Efficiency and Reliability, which is accredited by the ACEC and offers PDH credits for in-person events. Contact us to set up a session!
  • We published a White Paper on Thermal Actuators in Aerospace and Defense: Enhancing Efficiency and Reliability in Critical Systems. Download it on Tech Briefs.com.
  • The world of thermostatic balancing valves was explored in a webinar presented by Tom Ruggierio, Director of Sales for Commercial Plumbing.
  • We launched a new video about how our Freeze Protection valves protect equipment when temperatures plummet.

We debuted several product blogs this year, starting with:

We published several case studies:

  • We published Case Studies highlighting the reliability of our automatic thermostatic balancing valves with UH St. John’s Medical Center Maternity Wing, Twin Lakes Assisted Living Facility, and Canyon’s Edge Apartments.
  • Our distributor in South Carolina , Eastern Industrial Supplies, worked with us on a Case Study demonstrating how our Freeze Protection valves protected their equipment and solved an ongoing problem.
  • Our distributor in Arizona, Krue Industrial, launched an unboxing video of ThermOmegaTech products.

IN THE NEWS

  • We released a feature, Five Ways To Ensure Plant Safety in Processing Facilities, in Plant Engineering Magazine.
  • Our TBV-PR valve was featured in Plumbing and HVAC magazine.
  • Safety+Health published two features on the safe use of emergency stations and trends in workplace solutions.
  •  PCB Directory published a Q&A with our Director of Strategic Accounts in our Electronics division, Tom Krol.
  • Several publications published our expansion news, including EHS Daily Advisor, Pumps & Systems, Manufacturing.net, Plant Engineering, Pennsylvania Business Report, Valve World, HVAC Products, and more.

TRADESHOWS WE ATTENDED

  • The CircuitSolver® team kicked off 2024 with the AHR Expo in Chicago in January, then attended the CMPX 2024 Expo in March at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
  • ThermOmegaTech’s Electronics Division exhibited at the D2P Expo in Uncasville, CT in April.
  • In August, we exhibited our industrial product line at the ASSP Safety Show in Denver, CO.
  • In September, our Railroad team exhibited at the RSI Expo in Chicago, IL, and attended the ASLRRA Conference in Kansas City, MO.
  • In October, we exhibited at the ASPE Expo in Columbus, Ohio, and debuted our new Demo Unit, which shows how our thermostatic valves work in real time. Watch the demos!
  • Our Aerospace and Defense team attended the AUSA Expo in Washington, DC. in October.

UPCOMING IN EARLY 2025

  • Don’t miss us at the AHR Expo in Orlando in February 2025 at Booth #3375!
  • We’ll be attending the 2025 Satellite Show in Washington, DC, from March 10-13. Look for ThermOmegaTech’s Booth #2460!

 

Thank you for participating in our journey and reading our 2024 Year in Review.

We wish you a happy and safe holiday season and a happy New Year. We look forward to working with you in 2025!

Guide to Water Pipe Freeze Protection

/ 0 Comments / in ThermOmegaTech / by Christine Tarlecki

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. It can also protect 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.

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

/ 0 Comments / in Product, ThermOmegaTech / by Christine Tarlecki

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

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 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, making it 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! Contact us here for questions.