Brian Venn, TBE, CxA, Mechanical Testing, Inc. and AABC Industry Partner Bob Walker, Belimo published “Commissioning PI Valves in Commercial Hydronic Systems” in HVAC Plumbing Product News, Fall 2021.
In today’s highly competitive valve industry, new technology or sequences of operation are constantly emerging. As a Test and Balance Engineer, we are tasked with working on various valve types; Traditional Circuit Balancing Valves, Cartridge Auto-regulating Valves, Auto Flow Controlling Valves, and PICVs (Pressure Independent Control Valves), some sweated and some threaded, just to name a few. Over two decades, we have often been asked what our preference is? The answer is the most responsible version, energy-wise for the application – just like you don’t practice favorites with your kids!
Traditional Balancing Valves have their place and are very effective at what they do, balancing circuits. Today’s energy responsible facility operators and building owners need balancing valves that are both effective and energy conservative, adapting to the pressure changes that may occur in a system moving back and forth from peak to moderate demand. PICV’s accomplish this when installed correctly and appropriately and are independently validated in the field for performance by a trained and hopefully certified Test and Balance Field Tech.
This article is an extension of a May 2021 AABC TAB Talk Webinar presented by AABC Board Member Brian Venn, CxA, TBE, of Mechanical Testing, Inc. and Bob Walker, Belimo as they discuss pressure independent control valve characteristics and how they relate to hydronic coil performance, valve sizing and valve authority, and how these elements affect the equipment’s operation in the central energy plant. Read full article here.
