Oxford Flow helps calm Northumbrian waters
Northumbrian Water Limited (NWL) operates in the north-east of England, supplying 650 million litres of water daily to people and businesses in the counties of Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Durham and parts of North Yorkshire.
To tame pressure in a demanding district metering area that was exhibiting high demand at peak usage periods during the day, falling to minimal demand at night, Oxford Flow had to provide a valve that managed water pressure effectively during peak and low periods to help manage leakage.
Oxford Flow’s IP Series PRV provided the answer. Smaller and lighter than traditional PRVs, the IP Series was supplied along with a matching spool to enable quick and easy replacement of the existing PRV without the need for pipework modifications.
Fitting of the PRV was complete in just 20 minutes. Weighing just 4 kg meant manoeuvring the valve into position required just one hand compared to the three technicians it took to lift the existing PRV from the pit.
To closely monitor the performance an enhanced logger was deployed with the monitoring turned to the maximum 60Hz.
This enabled a greater visualisation and highlighted what a tough job this PRV needs to manage.
Christopher Leonard, business director at Oxford Flow, said: “Thanks to the IP series’ innovative design, the piston actuator delivers precise, stable control across the entire operating range.
“When in use, the piston moves inward, reducing the size of the cavity when the downstream demand increases and the pipeline pressure falls below the required outlet pressure.
“As a result flow increases and maintains a stable outlet pressure. The reverse operation occurs when pressure increases downstream as demand falls and the piston moves to the closed position to maintain a stable downstream pressure.”
The results of the Oxford Flow IP Series PRV trial were very encouraging as it appeared that the valve was also mitigating the pressure transients and protecting the downstream system from further shock and stress.
Peter Wilson, network performance co-ordinator of Northumbria Water, added: “Like many other water companies, we are faced with maintaining steady supply pressures in our network whatever the customer demand, a big challenge. The valve from Oxford Flow seems to have resolved this problem and should give us another tool to help us in our goals of maintaining customer supply while reducing leakage.”
To tame pressure in a demanding district metering area that was exhibiting high demand at peak usage periods during the day, falling to minimal demand at night, Oxford Flow had to provide a valve that managed water pressure effectively during peak and low periods to help manage leakage.
Oxford Flow’s IP Series PRV provided the answer. Smaller and lighter than traditional PRVs, the IP Series was supplied along with a matching spool to enable quick and easy replacement of the existing PRV without the need for pipework modifications.
Fitting of the PRV was complete in just 20 minutes. Weighing just 4 kg meant manoeuvring the valve into position required just one hand compared to the three technicians it took to lift the existing PRV from the pit.
To closely monitor the performance an enhanced logger was deployed with the monitoring turned to the maximum 60Hz.
This enabled a greater visualisation and highlighted what a tough job this PRV needs to manage.
Christopher Leonard, business director at Oxford Flow, said: “Thanks to the IP series’ innovative design, the piston actuator delivers precise, stable control across the entire operating range.
“When in use, the piston moves inward, reducing the size of the cavity when the downstream demand increases and the pipeline pressure falls below the required outlet pressure.
“As a result flow increases and maintains a stable outlet pressure. The reverse operation occurs when pressure increases downstream as demand falls and the piston moves to the closed position to maintain a stable downstream pressure.”
The results of the Oxford Flow IP Series PRV trial were very encouraging as it appeared that the valve was also mitigating the pressure transients and protecting the downstream system from further shock and stress.
Peter Wilson, network performance co-ordinator of Northumbria Water, added: “Like many other water companies, we are faced with maintaining steady supply pressures in our network whatever the customer demand, a big challenge. The valve from Oxford Flow seems to have resolved this problem and should give us another tool to help us in our goals of maintaining customer supply while reducing leakage.”
