How To Install a Direct Acting Float Valve

Installing a Bermad ATHENA valve for water control

Colin Kirkland
Colin Kirkland
Air Valve Product Manager / Technical Training

June 2017

ATHENA

Colin Kirkland shares best practice when installing CSA’s ATHENA direct acting float valve. Used in filling control applications, its unique ability to regulate without minimum operating pressure sets the valve apart.

An introduction to the ATHENA

The ATHENA valve is a direct acting, self-cleaning control valve designed to fill reservoirs, tanks and channel applications. The ATHENA’s flexible design allows it to be installed and adapted for a diverse range of fill controlling applications.

The valve is designed to modulate inlet flow, to maintain a constant water level in a tank or reservoir. One of the benefits of the ATHENA valve is its ability to regulate the inflow, regardless of inlet pressure. The direct acting float mechanism is internally balanced, and does not require a minimum operating pressure to open and regulate.

The ATHENA valve is available from 25 to 300 mm in size, in both threaded and flanged configurations.

Product features

  • Body and cover made from ductile cast iron GJS 450-10.
  • Float and rod made from stainless steel.
  • Internal body of the valve made from stainless steel.
  • Utilises self-cleaning piston technology.
  • Valve body has two outlets in the supply direction, allowing for flexibility in the application’s direction of flow.

Best practice for optimum performance

When installing the ATHENA direct acting control valve, it’s important to isolate the product. This can be achieved using an inlet isolation valve or butterfly valve during maintenance and inspection. There are many factors that contribute to effective pipeline design, some of these include:

  • If the application is likely to contain large solids in the water, a strainer is a good option to prevent debris from blocking the valve and affecting performance.
  • If the valve is installed at a high point or location, the inclusion of an air release valve helps prevent water hammer and potential bouncing within the application.
  • If the inlet pressure exceeds 500Kpa, an inlet pressure reducing valve should be installed prior to the ATHENA. This is to help prevent cavitation in the ATHENA valve.

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Tips for installing the ATHENA

During the installation process, the ATHENA valve can be mounted directly inside a tank. Alternatively, the valve can be mounted outside the tank, with the arm entering the vessel. This is made possible due to the flexibility of the valve design – the inlet valve can be rotated in 45 degree increments to suit a variety of tank assemblies.

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When the flow rate exceeds the value of a single ATHENA valve, there is no problem with mounting several units in a single tank installation to achieve a higher flow rate.

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View the animation below of the ATHENA valve in action, or visit the Bermad YouTube channel. The valve’s unique design is explored to educate installers and operators on its function and features.

Learn more
If you require further information on CSA’s ATHENA valve, or are interested in using it for your next project, please do not hesitate to contact your nearest Bermad office. Visit our online product page for engineering data, auto-cad drawings, manuals and more.

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