Problems with a Bruner(R) Softener Multi-Port Valve

Here are some common problems we see with very old Bruner(R), Bruner-matic(R), and Culligan(R) Hi-Flo (TM) multi-port valves. A recent request for help prompted this posting.

Problem:
I have an old Bruner softener with a large cast iron multi-port valve. Here are some of the issues:

Periodically my brine tank overflows

My runs seem to be shorter than before

I seem to be using more salt than before

I replaced the softener resin only two years ago

What could be the problem?

Possible Causes:
The Bruner Bruner-matic and Culligan Hi-Flo multi-port valves are very rugged valves that last for many, many years. Since they are so robust, people tend to forget they need to maintain the valves. The problems described above indicate there may be a problem with the multiport valve. The possible causes are:

Ruptured valve diaphragm

Leaky valve diaphragm

Bad brine valve

Blocked drain line flow control

Clogged pilot feed line or pilot screen

Troubleshooting:
Here is how to diagnose what the problem might be.

Diaphragm Related Problems: Unfortunately, in order to figure out if a valve diaphragm is leaking or ruptured, you need to take the valve apart. Doing so will typically damage the diaphragms. Therefore, you should order a valve replacement kit before disassembling the valve

Brine Valve Related Problems: In order to determine if there a problem related to the brine system, disconnect the brine line from the valve while the valve is in the "Brine Draw" step of the regeneration cycle.

If there is a vacuum, the Bruner multi-port valve is okay, but the brine valve is clogged or has failed.

If there is no vacuum from the multiport valve, check the drain line flow control for blockage. This is most likely the problem.

Pilot Line Related Problems: Check and clean the pilot line strainer. The small screen on the strainer often gets clogged with valve corrosion chips.

Possible Remedies:

Establish a Preventative Maintenance, PM, program for the multiport valves

Replace old valves with a replacement valvenest using valves like the GE(R) Aquamatic(R) type.

Purifying Bio-Diesel After Transesterification

Given the current and projected world-wide energy demands, I have been seeing more literature, newsletter, and journal references to biomass derived energy sources to reduce demand for petroleum-based fuels and be better for the environment. One area of development is the production of biodiesel, but it has a serious downside. As a major ion exchange supplier, we are seeing substantial developments in the purification of biodiesel using specialized ion exchange resins.

Chemical Process:
The process to manufacture biodiesel requires transesterification of a vegetable based oil in the presence of a catalyst and methanol. What results are raw biodiesel (methyl ester), soap, catalyst, glycerol, and methanol. This raw biodiesel needs to be purified to applicable standards, EN14214 or ASTM D6751.

Problem:
The typical purification process uses as many as 8 successive water washings of the raw biodiesel. This transfers water soluble impurities soap, catalyst, glycerol, methanol, and some biodiesel to the water. This results in a huge amount of organic and catalyst contaminated wastewater. So for every gallon of biodiesel produced, you end up with 8 gallons of liquid waste. Not a very environmentally friendly byproduct of biodiesel production.

Solution:
A very elegant solution is available and being used extensively in Europe, a leader in biodiesel production. The raw biodiesel or once washed raw biodiesel is flowed through a tank of a special ion exchange resin. The resin readily removes the glycerol, soap, and catalyst, all corrosive to diesel engine components, and water from the raw biodiesel. It can take the glycerin from 500 ppm down to less than 10 ppm. This is significantly below the standard of 200 ppm. This potentially allows for higher concentration of biodiesel in blends with petroleum diesel.

Results:
From literature and papers published by several ion exchange manufacturers, depending upon the process, 1 lb of ion exchange resin can treat 900 - 2000 lbs of biodiesel. Work is being done to have a way to regenerate the resin to allow for reuse.

How Does a Softener Valve Nest Work?

The "valvenest" for a water softener is made of a minimum of six valves. The easiest way to understand how the water and brine flows through the valvenest is to see this picture.



The top flange attaches to the upper side port of the softener tank. This in turn connects to the top distributor. The bottom flange of the valvenest attaches to the lower side port of the tank. This is connected internally to the hub and lateral bottom distributor.

The regeneration cycle is as follows:

Isolation from Service

Backwash

Brine Draw and Slow Rinse

Fast Rinse

Return to Service

Dual Tank "DT" Softener Product Line Revamped

The Res-Kem Dual Tank, "DT", water softener product line has been revamped yielding a complete line of standard products that can treat flow rates between 4 and 42 gpm continuously, with peaks rates up to 50 gpm. The capacity range is 15,000 to 270,000 grains between regenerations. These automated units are designed to provide continuous soft water 24 hours per day. Perfect for boiler treatment applications. By standardizing the product line, most systems are available for immediate pricing and shipment from inventory**.

A new brochure has been completed and an engineering outline drawing is available.

The DT-Series dual tank softeners are designed based around the Pentair Fleck 9000, Fleck 9001, Fleck 9100, Fleck 9101, and Fleck 9500 valves. The 9000, 9001, or 9500 Series Econominder feature an all brass control valve. With a meter initiated, twin tank alternating design, one tank is in service while the second is held in stand-by. These rugged control valves provide a low maintenance, high flow rate, and quality system able to meet the most demanding needs. A lower cost option is a Res-Kem DT Softener that incorporates the 9100 or 9101 Series non-metallic valves. Depending upon the valve, the meter that initiates the regeneration cycle is either of brass or composite construction.

** The "ET", electronic timer, for the Fleck 9000, 9001, and 9500 valves are a stocked item. The only exceptions are systems with the Fleck 9100 and 9101 valves. The optional "ET", electronic timer, is an non-stocked item.

Duties on Activated Carbon from the People's Republic of China

Effective on October 11, 2006, duties on steam activated carbon from the People's Republic of China will have duties imposed between 13.78% to 228.11%.

What does this mean?
Res-Kem has been visited and/or notified by our suppliers that all activated carbon prices are increasing to a greater or lesser degree.

How can Res-Kem help?
Res-Kem has anticipated that this may occur. Through our buying power and our good working relationships with our key activated carbon vendors, we have options to help reduce the impact of the price increases.

What happened?
On October 4, 2006, David Spooner, Assistant Secretary for Import Administration at the US Department of Commerce, USDOC, issued a "Preliminary Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value and Postponement of Final Determination: Certain Activated Carbon From the People's Republic of China". Click here for the full text of the release.

Why did this happen?
On March 8, 2006, the USDOC, received a petition on imports of certain activated carbon from the PRC from Calgon Carbon Corporation and Norit Americas Inc because they felt the products were being sold at "Less Than Fair Value" a.k.a. "Dumped". This investigation was initiated on March 28, 2006.

USDOC Summary of Determination
"SUMMARY: We preliminarily determine that certain activated carbon from the People's Republic of China ("PRC'') is being, or is likely to be, sold in the United States at less than fair value ("LTFV''), as provided in section 733 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended ("the Act''). The estimated margins of sales at LTFV are shown in the "Preliminary Determination'' section of this notice."

What's Next?
The USDOC will make a final determination early next year.

Res-Kem Re-Certified by Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

On October 23, 2006, the Department of General Services, of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, re-certified Res-Kem Corp as a Woman Business Enterprise.

NASA Water Treatment System and Oxygen Generation

There are many difficult water treatment problems we all deal with on a daily basis. Few are life and death like this application.

I am on a wide variety of email newsletters. Here was an interesting article on how scientists at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) are working on taking all available sources of water in a space craft or space station and reclaiming them for reuse. This includes humidity and urine! Overall they achieve 93% recovery of the water.

The name of the project is Environmental Control and Life Support Systems, ECLSS, and is pronounced "EE-cliss".

What is also interesting is they are using part of the water to generate oxygen by electrolysis. In this way, long term mission on the Moon or to Mars can be feasible. In order for this to happen, they need to increase the recovery closer to 100%

New Calcium Carbonate Brochure From Imerys

Imerys Performance Minerals of Roswell, Georgia just released its first brochure for its extensive line of NSF-certified calcium carbonate media for:
- pH adjustment
- Corrosion control
- Remineralization of desalinated water

Many forms of calcite media are available, but not all are safe for use in drinking water. The Imerys media has been tested and certified by the NSF International to NSF/ANSI Standard 60. There are five different NSF-certified grades of calcium carbonate media:
- 40-200(TM) NSF sourced from Marble Hill, Georgia and Sylacauga, Alabama
- 30-50(TM) NSF sourced from Marble Hill, Georgia
- XO White(TM) NSF sourced from Marble Hill, Georgia
- Z White(TM) NSF sourced from Marble Hill, Georgia
- OZ White(TM) NSF sourced from Marble Hill, Georgia

Res-Kem Corp stocks XO White NSF and Z White NSF for immediate shipment. We can provide the other media grades upon request.

Res-Kem Re-Certified by the WBENC

At the request of many customers, Res-Kem has a yearly audit to insure that we continue to meet the requirements of The Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). The WBENC is the largest, independent, third-party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women in the United States. We are proud to inform our customers that Res-Kem has been re-certified for 2007 as a WBENC-Certified woman-owned business and a leader in residential, commercial, municipal and industrial water treatment systems.

Most importantly, customers do business with Res-Kem because we are great at what we do, providing the highest quality water treatment equipment, filter media, ion exchange resins, replacement parts, equipment service and Service DI, not merely because we are woman-owned. With that said, there are many corporations of various sizes that have internal targets designed to increase opportunities for women-owned businesses to work with them. We can help you meet these targets.

Dow Introduces Two New Dowex Marathon Ion Exchange Resins

In some industry news, The Dow Chemical Company told us two new products were added to Demineralization price list. These ion exchange resins are Dowex Marathon 650C (H) and Dowex Marathon 550A (OH). These resins are used for polishing mixed beds that do not require nuclear-grade specifications, and where good color differential and excellent separation are required.

Dowex and Marathon are trademarks of The Dow Chemical Corporation