Valves distributor Kerr Valve & Industrial Supplies has sold only a small number of TA Hydronics thermostatic circulation valves over the past six months to several hotels in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, owing to the lack of familiarity with the product by a large portion of the market.

Kerr Valve & Industrial Supplies sales engineer Richard Frankiskos notes that the valves were launched in the first half of the year to service commer- cial hot water systems.

Further, he says Sweden-based manufacturer and expert in hydronic distribution systems and room temperature control TA Hydro-nic is well known globally.

“We are attempting to educate local contractors about the benefits of using the thermo- static circulation valves by inviting them to our premises in Johannesburg to view the valve,” says Frankiskos, who adds that the company is considering exhibiting the valves system at the next Pumps, Valves and Pipes Africa trade exhibition and/or the SA Industry and Technology Fair.

This thermostatic valve for automatic balancing in commercial hot water systems features a stepless temperature setting, saving energy through reduced delay time for hot water. The shut-off function enables simplified maintenance, while the temperature control feature delivers safer operating procedures.

The thermostatic circulation valves are available in 15 mm and 20 mm British Standard Pipe (BSP) sizes.
Moreover, he states that the valve body is made from Ametal, which is a TA Hydronic-patented alloy that is resistant to dezincification, which is a form of corrosion.

“The zinc in the brass is preferentially dissolved, leaving a brittle, porous copper body. It is the most difficult form of corrosion on plumbing fittings to deal with,” explains Frankiskos.

Moreover, he points out that the factors that affect the occur- rence of the dezincification process include the chemical composition and crystal structure of the alloy, the manufacturing process, the ability of the alloy to form a protective layer and the corrosive nature of the water.

Ametal also has good mechan- ical properties, he says, adding that it also possesses a lower content of casting porosity, as it is die-cast.

“Ametal’s excellent resistance to dezincification is the result of a carefully developed combination of alloying constituents with a high copper content and the addition of silicon,” he notes.

Frankiskos states that the thermostatic circulation valve is a PN16 presettable angle-threaded BSP screwed valve, which opens and closes mechanically at temperatures of between 35 ˚C and 80 ˚C, and can be preset as required.
“Most new larger buildings have domestic hot water circulating systems to reduce the delay time for the water to run hot at the taps. The thermostatic circulation valve opens mechanically when the temperature of the domestic hot water upstream of the valve is lower than the set temperature and closes when upstream temperature exceeds the set temperature. This valve helps reduce water wastage, thus making it both financially feasible and environ- ment friendly,” he explains.

Kerr Valve & Industrial Sup-plies has been the sole distributor in Southern Africa for TA Hydronics products since 1995.