Pneumatic systems
Pneumatic systems: key features
Known for their safety, simplicity and reliability, pneumatic systems are widely used across industries for air, gas or fluid control. In this article, the benefits of using pneumatic systems and the key components are explained.
By KCI Editorial
Pneumatic systems use compressed air to control and operate equipment such as valves and actuators. The valve in a pneumatic system controls the flow, direction and pressure of air, fluid or gas within the system. An actuator in a pneumatic system opens or closes the valve, using the compressed air to create the movement. As a whole process, the compressed air powers the actuator, the actuator the moves the valve, with the valve then controlling the flow of the medium being transported through pipelines.
Benefits of pneumatic systems
Pneumatic systems are often found in applications where reliable, precise flow control is required. One of the main benefits of pneumatic systems is that they are extremely safe. The systems use air, which eliminates the risk of fire or explosion, especially in severe environments. Pressure can also be safely vented when systems reach capacity, unlike electrical systems. Another benefit is the simplicity of pneumatic systems. The pressure and amount of compressed air can be easily adjusted, and fewer moving parts leads to easier maintenance. Further benefits include the reliability of pneumatic systems as they are able to function well in harsh environments and the longevity of these systems as they can withstand multiple cycles without significant wear.
Key components
There are essential components that make up pneumatic systems, including the air preparation units, such as compressors, filters, regulators
Pneumatic control valve in a steam heating system
and lubricators; control valves that deal with pressure and flow control; and the actuators such as cylinders, rotary actuators and air motors. The types of valves that are commonly used in pneumatic systems include ball valves, butterfly valves and diaphragm valves. Ball valves: use a spherical ball for flow control and are known for their quick and reliable shutoff ability. These qualities are useful in pneumatic systems where quick control and action for opening and closing airways are necessary. With their durable and tight-seal nature, they’ re ideal for handling pressure in pneumatic systems. Butterfly valves: have a disc that rotates for flow control and a quick and simple open and close operation. With these characteristics and their lightweight structure, they are useful for pneumatic systems in regulating air flow. Diaphragm valves: have a flexible diaphragm that provides a tight seal in flow control. In a pneumatically actuated diaphragm valve, the compressed air is what moves the diaphragm.
New pneumatic valve systems Emerson has released the latest stage of its next-generation AVENTICS series XV pneumatic valve systems with new flow rates, configurations, accessories, UL certifications and more. After launching the AVENTICS series XV03 in most world regions in July, Emerson has now released the popular XV03 valve for US markets, as well as globally released the larger series XV05 and a bottomported version of the XV03. The XV03 provides flow volumes up to 350 litres per minute in normal conditions( NL / min), and the XV05 provides up to 1000 NL / min. In addition to new flow rates and configurations, series XV valves are also available with UL certifications and more accessories. Both the XV03 and XV05 are designed for compliance with UL429 and UL61010 for quality and safety. New and existing accessories provide greater functionality and include separators, blank stations, pressure supply plates, sandwich pressure supply and sandwich pressure exhaust. There is also a custom toolbox that contains the most important tools to assemble XV systems. The next phase of the staged XV release will see the continued launch of new accessories as they become available, as well as greater connectivity. Additional fieldbus protocols will be launched throughout 2025, including Powerlink, CanOpen in mid-2025 and AS-I in late 2025. The valve systems currently support Profinet, Ethernet / IP, EtherCAT, Modbus TCP, Profibus DP and IO-Link.
42 Valve World May 2025 www. valve-world. net