Proportioning Systems

69 Proportioning Systems Now you know the benefits and uses of water additives, especially Class A foam. So how do we get the concentrate into the water? The following reviews various proportioning technologies along with capabilities and limitations of each

70 A bigger sweet spot Why Clubs And Racquets With Larger Heads?

71 The Proportioning Sweet Spot The range in which the proportioner can deliver acceptable performance –Flow range –Pressure range –Proportioning rates –Foam viscosity –Desired accuracy Every proportioner has a sweet spot –Size varies by type of system

72 NFPA Accuracy Requirements 6% 30%20%10%10%20% 30% 3% 1% % LeanRich Ratio Allowable Range 6% % 3% % 1% % 0.5% % 0.2% % For proportioning rates equal or greater than 1%: –- 0% to + 30% or 1 percentage point, whichever is less For proportioning rates less than 1%: –- 0% to + 40%

73 Manual systems Automatic systems Foam Proportioner Design

Manual Foam Proportioners Eductors Around the pump systems Self-educting nozzles

Eductor Systems

76 In-Line Eductors Check Valve Metering Valve Water Pump Foam Concentrate Eductor 200 psi Inlet 130 psi Outlet

77 By-Pass Eductor Shut-Off Closed Water Pump 200 psi 130 psi Foam Concentrate Check valve Metering valve

78 Eductors Capabilities: –Operate over narrow range of flows and pressures Limitations: –35% pressure loss –Sensitive to pressure changes downstream –Must match flow and nozzle –Nozzle height limited to ten feet –Narrow sweet spot (single flow and pressure point)

gpm Eductor Cutaway

gpm eductor 125 gpm nozzle Must Match Flow, Eductor & Nozzle

psi Inlet130 psi Outlet 20" of Vacuum Performance reduction of 35% creates required vacuum Eductor - Correct Pressure & Flow

82 Longer hose lay, increased elevation or nozzle restriction reduces vacuum Eductor - Incorrect Pressure & Flow 12" of Vacuum 140 psi Outlet200 psi Inlet

83 Increasing restriction even more on outlet side can eliminate vacuum Eductor - Incorrect Pressure & Flow 150 psi Outlet200 psi Inlet No Vacuum

Around The Pump Systems

85 Eductor Check Valve Metering Valve Foam Concentrate Shut off Valve Shut off Valve Max. 10 psi. Incoming Pressure Water Pump Foam solution from all discharges Around The Pump Proportioner

86 Capabilities: –Foam solution available to all discharges Limitations: –Maximum incoming pump pressure of 5 to 15 psi –Average operating foam proportioning error of 1 to 1-1/2 percentage points –Pump solely dedicated to foam operation –Narrow sweet spot Around The Pump Proportioner

87 Around The Pump Eductor Eductor To pump suction From pump discharge Foam concentrate

88 Around The Pump

89 Around The Pump Class A foam controlClass B foam control

90 Around The Pump “Incoming pressure less than 12 psi” “When flow stops, immediately turn metering valve off”

Self-Educting Nozzles

92 Metering Valve Monitor Water Pump Control Valve Foam Tank Self-Educting Nozzles

93 Self-Educting Nozzles Capabilities: –Large flows at 1%, 3% or 6% –Lower pressure drop than regular eductors, 10% or less –Increased stream reach –Flexibility in use, not a fixed system Limitations: –Narrow sweet spot

94 Self-Educting Nozzle Foam percentage selection

Automatic Foam Proportioners Balanced pressure bladder systems Balanced pressure pump systems Electronic direct injection systems

Balanced Pressure Bladder Systems Balanced Pressure Bladder Systems

97 Modified Venturi/ Pressure Differential Valve Check Valve Foam Concentrate Pressure Tank with Bladder Metering Valve Concentrate Fill Line Water Dump Line Water Pump Three-way Valve Balanced Pressure Bladder Systems

98 Capabilities: –Requires water flow to operate proportioner Limitations: –Operator does not know how much foam is in bladder –Must shut down to refill –Water flow up to 350 gpm and discharge pressure restrictions –Medium Sweet Spot Balanced Pressure Bladder Systems

99 5 Gallon Portable

100 Differential Valve

101 Panel Mount

Balanced Pressure Pump Systems Balanced Pressure Pump Systems

103 Check Valve Foam Tank Concentrate Pump Metering Valve Check Valve Modified Venturi or Ratio Controller (one per discharge) Water Pump Pilot-Operated Balance Valve orororor Balanced Pressure Pump Proportioners

104 Capabilities: –Foam concentrate flow to over 300 GPM –Plumbed discharges capable of foam or water –Ability to vary foam concentrate % rates by discharge Limitations: –Water flow limits –Discharge pressure restriction –Low flow and low percentage operation –Medium sweet spot Balanced Pressure Pump Proportioners

105 Metering Valve ADJUSTING KNOB POINTER PLUG STEM CONCENTRATE FLOW TO DISCHARGE PROPORTIONER

106 Balanced Pressure Pump System Metering/Shut-Off Valve

107 LOW PRESSURE AREA CONCENTRATE INLET FLOW BLENDING AREA WATER FLOW Ratio Controller

108 2” Modified Venturi Cut-Away Foam capabilities of 60 to 200 GPM Water flow and pressure restrictions

109 Balanced Pressure Pump System Parts Cut-Away Ratio Controller (venturi) creates a pressure drop allowing the foam concentrate to be pumped into the water way Metering/Shut-off valve sets amount of foam concentrate entering the system by percentage selected

110 Duplex Pressure Gauge Balanced Pressure Pump System Panel Controls

111 Balanced Pressure Pump System Plumbing Modified venturi or ratio flow controller (one required per discharge) Crowded pump compartment

112 Balanced Pressure Accuracy Test

113 FOAM SYSTEM OPERATING PARAMETERS FOAM CONCENTRATE TYPES(S): CLASS A OR CLASS B SYSTEM OPERATING PRESSURE RANGE: PSI DO NOT EXCEED 200 PSI OPERATING PRESSURE SYSTEM PROPORTIONING AND FLOW RATES: SOLUTION FLOW RATE (GPM) NOMINAL RATE PROPORTIONER SIZE % 3% 6% Balanced Pressure Pump System Capabilities

114 Balanced Pressure Pump Proportioners GPM Friction loss 0 0 psi 5010 psi 7512 psi psi psi psi psi psi psi psi Pressure drop through venturi

Electronic Direct Injection Electronic Direct Injection

116 Water Tank Water Pump Multiple Discharges Line Strainer Foam Tank Check Valves Flow Meter FoamPro Single Point Direct Injection Proportioner Digital Display Control

117 Multi-Point, Electronic Direct Injection Proportioner

118 Electronic Direct Injection Capabilities –Extremely accurate –No flow or pressure restriction –Indifferent to changes in flows and pressures –Easy to operate –Re-supply foam without interruption –Dual foam capability with automatic presets –Commences operation immediately –Ideal CAFS interface –Broad sweet spot

119 Commences operation with the push of the RED button… Or throw of a switch Operation

120 How Accurate?

121 No restriction permits maximum flow Flow Comparison Balance Pressure & Electronic Direct Injection

122 What To Consider-Proportioners Required range of flows and pressures Proportioning percentage rates Foam capable discharges Foam viscosity Allowable pressure drop Operating conditions –Hose length, elevations, etc. Accuracy requirements