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Auto Drain Valve

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What's The Auto Drain Valve?

An automatic drain valve is device which help to remove the mixture of water and compressor lubricant gathered in the air tank or the air water trap. It mainly includes two models, one is the Electric Auto Drain Valve, other is the Ball Floating Auto Drain Valve.

It is important equipment for air supply system. The fully-functional drain valve helps in avoiding maintenance work and eliminates the need to manually extract liquid from the air compressor tank.

They ensure your aftercooler, dryer, air receiver, and other essential equipment are functioning at optimum level.

How Mnay Types The Auton Drain Vavle There Are?

Normally there are three types auton drain vavle, they are :

Electric auto drain valve

Ball floating auto drain valve

Pneumatic Zero Pressure Drain Valve

The electric auto drain valve include two model, one is timed solenoid drain valve, other is the timed electric motorized ball valve.

Regarding to the Ball floating auto drain valve, there are also two type. One is the normal ball floating auto drain valve, other is the zero pressure loss ball floating auto drain valve. It’s a new improved model. The advantage is no any air loss in the drain process.

Electric Auto Drain Valve

These drains are the most widely used drains on the market. They are controled by a timer. The drain valve will open in the certain time interval. And keep the open status in a set time to release the water mixture. The valves opening time and the interval can be adjusted manually by operate the timer dials. Normally, the interval time(Shut Off) could be adjusted from 0.5-45 minnutes, the drain time is from 0.5 -10 seconds. That depending on humidity and duty cycle.

The Component Of Electric Auto Drain Valve

The electric auto drain valve include two model, one is timed solenoid drain valve, other is the timed electric motorized ball valve.

Timed solenoid drain valve: Composed of a Timer, a two ways solenoid valve and a combination of ball valve and drain filter. Normally, the valve body is made of brass.

The Timed electric motorized ball valve: Composed of a Timer and a two ways motorzied valve. The valve body are available in a range of materials including Brass, Bronze, Stainless Steel and Cast Iron which can be used depending on the application and environment.

Timed solenoid drain valve

Timer For Solenoid Valve

Timer Specification

•Interval Time: 0.5 – 45 Minutes
•Discharge Time: 0.5 – 10 Seconds
•Supply Voltage: 115V
•Current Consumption: 4mA Max
•Environmental Protection: NEMA 4
•Case Material: ABS Plastic FR Grade
•Connection: DIN 43650A ISO4400/6952
•Operating Temperature: 34°F to 140°F

Solenoid Drain Valve

It’s a valve that uses solenoid coil to drive a movable iron core with a embedded seal forehead to open or close a orifice which the medium will get through. This is the basic process that opens or close the valve.

Two ways solenoid valves eliminate the need for manual in a fluid control system and only require an electrical input to operate, this makes them easy to program and integration. So they are installed in a wide variety of applications

Solenoid Drain Valve-Model A

Specification

•Type: 2-Way Direct Acting Valve
•Operating Temperature: 2 to 55 °C (34°F to 130°F)
•Valve Body: Machined Brass Bar
•Maximum Working Pressure: 230 PSI
•4.5 MM Orifice
•Insulation: Thermal Group H
•Environmental Protection: IP 65/NEMA 4
• Mounting: Any Position

• Port Size: 1/4″, 3/8″, 1/2″

Part List

1. Timer 2. Iron Core Tube 3. Solenoid Coil

4. Iron Core Top Spring 5. Iron Core 6. Valve Orifice Seat 7. Drain Port 8. Particle Discharge Port Cap 9. Strainer 10. Ball Valve 11. Ball Valve Handel 12. Femal Input Port.

Solenoid Drain Valve-Model B

Specification

•Type: 2-Way Direct Acting Valve

•Operating Temperature: 2 to 55 °C (34°F to 130°F)

•Valve Body: Machined Brass Bar

•Maximum Working Pressure: 230 PSI

•4.5 MM Orifice

•Insulation: Thermal Group H

•Environmental Protection: IP 65/NEMA

•Mounting: Any Position

•Port Size: 1/4″, 3/8″, 1/2″

Part List

1. Male Inlet Port 2. Teflon Seal 3. Ball Valve 4. Strainer 5. Discharge Port Cap 6. Valve Orifice Seat 7. Iron Core 8. Drain Port 9. Female Thread 10. Iron Core Tube 11. Iron Core Top Spring 12. Solenoid Coil 13. Timer 14. Time Setting Knob 15. Terminal Box.

Consideration

First, It is important that you choose the right thread so that your drain valve easily connects with your air compressor or water traps. Look for a ½” male NPT inlet as it goes well with most air compressors. If needed, you can use a reducer so that it works properly.

Second, consider the discharge time and internal time of the auto drain valve.

The discharge time determines the duration of how long the drain valve will remain open while the internal time determines how often will the drain valve open. Look for a discharge time between 0.5 and 10 seconds while an internal time between 30 and 45 seconds.

Another thing to ensure is that the auto drain valve operates at the same levels as the maximum pressure of your air compressor. Look for anything above 200 PSI.

And don’t forget to pick the right body for the auto drain valve. We highly recommend looking for brass as the body material because it is known to be durable and can withstand high pressures and temperatures. It is also resistant to corrosion.

Timed electric motorized ball valve

Elcetric Motorized Ball Vlave

Component-1: The Combination Of Motor And Timer

Component-2: 2/2 Way Full Bore Valve-Stainless Steel

These valves have electric motor to actuate the ball valve to shut off . The time of staying open or closes could be set by the timer which combined on the top of the motor. The open and close status could be kept for months or years on small batteries.(Ideal for remote control)

Motor Protection Grade :IP62

Valve Body: Stainless steel. Brass mateiral Available.

Pressure: 0-10 Bar

Medium temperature: 2 to 95 °C(35-203°F) Voltages:AC/DC9-24V and AC110-220V(See Specific Stock Item)

Port Size: 1/2″

Floating Auto Drain Valve

What's the float drains valve?

It is a device used to drain water from water trap, air lines or compressor tanks.

1. Water Trap Floating Auto Drain Valve

It’s a small auto drain valve, normally aseemble in the bowl of the water trap or water separator.

Open Process

1. Float Lever 2. Brass Seat 3. Piston Spring 4. Y seal 5. Filter Element 6. Bleed hole 7. Column Seal 8. Water trap bowl 9. Float 10. Piston Chamber Air Inlet 11. Piston Chamber 12. Strainer 13. Float Piston 14. Gasket Seal 15. Condensate Exhaust Screw Nut

Step 1: NBR foaming float with the device that normally seats on a small orifice. When liquid enters the drain the float rises off its seat, the lever lift the brass seat②

Step 2: The exposing the orifice⑩ allow the compressd air get in a piston chamber⑪, and push a movalbe piston to slide downward. The inner release from Bleed Hole⑥.

Step 3: A column⑦ which a O ring seal assembled on it’s end is integrated on the piston will move downward together and then the o ring sealed port will open, fianlly discharge the water.

Shut Off Process

Step 1: As the liquid level drops, the float re-seats the orifice⑩.

Step 2: The piston reset under press of compressed air. The inner air exhaust from the bleed hole⑥. Therefore inner pressure of the chamber ⑪ reduce to barometric pressure level.

Step 3: The piston in the chamber recover under the resultant of a spring and compressed air. Finally Column O ring⑦ sealed the drain port. These drains operate only when a sufficient quantity of condensate is present.

As shown in the image above, here's how a float drain works

1. There is a plastic “float” that sits atop an orifice

2. As liquid enters the drain, the float rises off it’s seat

3. When the float reaches is max height, the exposed orifice allows compressed air get in the chamber and push a piston downward to drive the sealed column head to open the drain port.

4. As the liquid level drops, the float re-seats and seals the orifice. And chamber press come down to the barometric pressure. That lead to the piston drawn back under the resultant of a spring and compressed air. Finally seal the discharge port.

5. The process repeats itself automatically, for eternity!

Ball Floating Auto Drain Valve

Float drains contain a float ball assembled with a lever sealing device that normally seats on a small orifice. When liquid enters the drain, the float ball rises off its seat, exposing the orifice and allowing the condensate discharge from the orifice.

Inner structure

1. Water Discharge Hole

2. Seal Of Water Discharge Hole

3. Valve Shell

4. Ball Float Lever

5. Ball Float

6. Condensate Inlet

7. Particle Drain Valve

8. Strainer

9. Trigger Valve

10. The Condensate accommodate chamber

11. Air exhaust valve

12. Strainer

13. Condensate Inlet

14. Inlet tube

15. Y strainer body

16. Y strainer inlet

Working Process

Float drains contain a ball float within the device that normally seats on a small orifice.

Step-1: When liquid enters the Condensate accommodate chamber ⑩.

Step-2: The condensate reach a certain level the ball float⑤ rises.

Step-3: The Seal Of Water Discharge Hole ② rise off, and exposing the orifice and allowing liquid to discharge through the stem.

Step-4: As the liquid level drops, the float re-seats and ②seals the orifice. These drains operate only when a sufficient quantity of condensate is present.

What should we pay attention to when installing ball float auto drain valve?

When install the ball floating auto drain valve, we should pay lot of attention to the valve’s horizontal position. As inappropriate posture may lead to the air choke. That mean the air in the valve can’t be exhausted, and the air block the path that water flow into the drain valve. Some ball float drain valve assemble a water filling nozzle and a air vent valve on the top of it.

How to choose the auto drain valve?

Timed solenoid drain valve: Installed on the samll or medium-sized air compressor tank. Need power suppy. Normally this kind of valve will release some compressed air when discharging the condensate.

Timed motorized ball valve: Installed on the large air compressor tank. Need power suppy. Will lost some compressed air therefore depressurize the air tank.

Water Trap Floating Auto Drain Valve: Instanlled in the water trap or air filter bowl. No need power supply. Almost no air lost in the drain process. The water trap mostly installed on the lowest place of the air line as a auto drain device.

Ball Floating Auto Drain Valve: Suitable for air lines, medium-sized and large air compressor tank. Need power suppy.No air pressure loss when draining!

When being used as your primary drain on your compressor, the drains usually have a manual override which allows for drainage of the system on demand or during cleaning.

Most float-operated drain valves leave a small amount of condensate in the reservoir when discharging; this prevents the loss of valuable compressed air. However, this small amount of moisture can still degrade your tank

Dg-pneitc Auto Drain Valve

Plastic Float Drain Valve

Timed Solenoid Drain Valve

Timed Motorized Ball Valve

402 End Auto Drain Valve

Caution

1. Be sure you well know the installation direction and the flow direction. And assemble them according to the specification!

2. Once you have to adopt the electric auto drain, please choose the right power voltage and pay enough attention to the insulation work.

3. The choosed auto drain valve is suitable for working presssure range. Otherwise may lead to accident.

4. Pay attention to the working temperature. As the in Sub-zero conditions, the condensate may freeze, that may resault in the failing drain work

5. The regular inspection is necessary. So the disabled auto drain component could be found in time, therefore avoid the loss caused by the stuffed condensate.

FAQs

Where does the condensate line drain?

The drain line should be located at the lowest point of the compressed air system for the condensate to be drained.

How do you clean a clogged condensate drain?

Turn off power, locate the drain, and unclog it with a brush/vacuum or cleaning solution like vinegar. Flush with water to confirm it’s clear.

Why does a condensate drain need a trap?

The condensate valve has traps to block the flow of air to allow for the proper condensate drainage.

What happens if condensate line is clogged?

The water stays in the drain line, which can leak or overflow from the drain pan and cause damage to the facility causing molds or water damage. This water in contact with electrical equipment can lead to a fire hazard.

Technical Resources

Support & Tech Advice

Blog

What's The Auto Drain Valve?

Table of Contents

How Mnay Types The Auton Drain Vavle There Are?

Electric Auto Drain Valve

The Component Of Electric Auto Drain Valve

Timed solenoid drain valve

Timer For Solenoid Valve

Timer Specification

Solenoid Drain Valve

Solenoid Drain Valve-Model A

Specification

Part List

Solenoid Drain Valve-Model B

Specification

Part List

Consideration

Timed electric motorized ball valve

Elcetric Motorized Ball Vlave

Floating Auto Drain Valve

What's the float drains valve?

1. Water Trap Floating Auto Drain Valve

Open Process

Shut Off Process

As shown in the image above, here's how a float drain works

Ball Floating Auto Drain Valve

Inner structure

Working Process

What should we pay attention to when installing ball float auto drain valve?

How to choose the auto drain valve?

Dg-pneitc Auto Drain Valve

Caution

FAQs

Where does the condensate line drain?

How do you clean a clogged condensate drain?

Why does a condensate drain need a trap?

What happens if condensate line is clogged?