Winter's coming--use freeze protection valves to keep lines flowing

These valves save piping, fittings, and equipment from freeze up and potential damage. Here are selection guidelines and calculation methods for sizing.

Freeze protection valves are effective in preventing freeze damage in process lines. Unlike steam or electric tracing, which require power and can cause water to overheat, freeze protection valves operate by simply draining or bleeding water as the temperature approaches freezing.

This prevents the formation of ice that can clog lines, shut off flow, and cause pressure within the line to build, cracking pipes, valves, and fittings, as well as damaging equipment (Figure 1). Damage due to ice formation can incur costs for …