The Benefit of Electronic Fail-Safe Function in a Cooling Tower

Belimo butterfly valves are designed for various applications, including chilled water, hot water, and steam. The valves are available in a range of sizes and materials to meet the needs of your application. Safety is always a top priority; in the case of chillers and cooling towers, it's essential to have a fail-safe function in place in case of emergencies. Heating valves are usually fail-safe "normally open" to prevent the coil from freezing.

The innovative electronic fail-safe control technology is a result of the Supercapacitors (SuperCaps), which are electrochemical condensers that are faster in response and more reliable than conventional rechargeable batteries. The capacitor return uses a capacitor to store energy and electrical operation to provide full torque to open or close. This energy storage technology enhances energy efficiency and the functionality of complex safety solutions. SuperCaps absorb energy quickly and discharge it immediately, offering more extended service life with greater cycle resistance than rechargeable batteries. Belimo developed and patented a SuperCap energy management algorithm that is part of the actuator microprocessor controller. The algorithm will safely charge and discharge the SuperCap energy to deliver a reliable long service life (estimate of 15 years or >100,000 full charges). Short power failures from 0 to 10 seconds can be ignored without an interruption in the operation of the system and without any loss of comfort in the building. Time and cost to return the system to normal operation are avoided in many cases.