Production Line Sanitation

As 2020 crawls towards a close and we continue to battle COVID-19, the importance of thorough and effective sanitation is clearer than ever before. Facilities throughout the country have doubled down on cleanliness and washdown procedures, with a spotlight on human-staffed production line sanitation of consumer items.

Inadequate cleaning and sanitation in food production facilities can lead to a buildup of microorganisms that carry bacteria, molds, yeast, viruses, parasites, etc., which can spread contamination and food-borne illness to consumers. In a world already enduring a global pandemic, the elimination of preventable hazards is vital to ensuring the public’s continued health.

Sources of Production Line Contamination

Food production facilities are often exposed to hazardous contamination’s which is why sanitation procedures are critical and must be applied in production facilities. These facilities need to be aware of any hazards present that can potentially lead to contamination and food-borne illnesses. These typically include but not limited to:

• Food Production Residue
• Liquid & Airborne Contamination
• Transient Soil from Workers
• Detergent Residue
• Microorganisms

Benefits of Washdown Stations

Conventional industrial hose stations that use old pressure balancing technology and rely on many moving parts, are prone to premature failure due to mineral deposits and scaling. The maintenance required to keep these units running safely and efficiently is time consuming and costly.

ThermOmegaTech®’s innovative washdown stations include a variety of high-temperature sanitation and maintenance equipment that benefits industrial facilities for top-notch cleaning:

• Reduction of maintenance and labor
• Easy installation
• Minimizes scaling
• Quiet Operation
• Economically Friendly

Premium Washdown Solutions

ThermOmegaTech® offers a variety of washdown stations to effectively clean and sanitize food processing equipment.

Our washdown product line offerings include the STVM® steam and water washdown station, the HCX hot and cold water mixing washdown station, and the single-stream HCS washdown station. Along with stations, washdown guns, hoses and other equipment are available to ensure proper cleaning and sanitation.

As we approach the frigid winter months and temperatures begin to fall, industrial plants are preparing for their annual pipeline freeze protection procedures to protect their water-bearing systems from freezing.

What Happens If Pipelines Freeze?

Water-bearing piping must be appropriately winterized before temperatures drop to keep temperature-sensitive processes and equipment functioning optimally throughout the freeze season.

Without a pipeline freeze protection solution, piping can rapidly freeze when exposed to frigid temperatures leading to interrupted systems, burst piping, and inevitably lengthy and costly repairs.

What’s The Solution

To prevent freeze damage, many industrial facilities repurpose an existing steam supply to heat trace their piping.

While an effective freeze-deterrent, conventional steam tracing systems often feature a manual control method which can quickly accumulate hefty costs. Traditionally, plant maintenance personnel would turn the steam supply on at the beginning of the freeze season, and only turn it off once warmer, Spring weather arrived. Although this does effectively prevent freezing, the unregulated steam supply does not account for periods of time when the temperature is above freezing resulting in wasted steam and bloated operation costs.

To both conserve steam and significantly reduce tracing expenses, ThermOmegaTech® offers several thermostatic steam tracing solutions that automatically control the flow of media through traced lines by sensing ambient or surface temperatures and turning off to conserve steam when temperatures are above freezing.

Ultimate Steam Tracing Solutions

Accurate and reliable, our thermostatic, self-actuating steam control valves automatically regulate a heat tracing’s steam supply according to variations in ambient or surface temperature – turning steam on when below freezing, and turning it off when above. Innovatively designed to both prevent freezing and reduce the costs associated with manually controlled systems, you can trust ThermOmegaTech’s® steam control valves to keep your facility freeze-free all winter!

We offer several thermostatic steam control valves to satisfy a variety of system designs and needs:

TV/SCA – Ambient Sensing
Used to regulate steam, air, gas or liquid flows in response to ambient temperature changes to protect lines from freezing.

US/S-X & TV/US-X – Surface or Fluid Sensing
Regulates the flow of heating media in response to the process temperature or the pipe’s surface temperature.

HAT & TV/HAT
Acting as steam traps, these valves eliminate live steam loss by discharging condensate well below the steam temperature.

Winter is just around the corner, meaning temperatures are going to drop and railroad operators need a reliable freeze protection solution for their winterization procedures to prevent costly damages and delayed schedules.

ThermOmegaTech®’s GURU® Plug and GURU PC® valve are designed to automatically monitor and respond to temperature variations. Mechanically operated, the GURU® valves require no outside source of electricity, meaning when the power is out, the valves are still working at maximum efficiency.

Locomotive Freeze Protection

When diesel locomotives are not in use, the water in the cooling system is not being heated from the engine and will freeze if temperatures drop too low, this can cause cracked pipes and tanks, or worse case, an engine freeze up resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage.

You can prevent this by installing a GURU® Plug at the lowest point of your engine coolant system to continuously sense the water temperature in the tank. Should the temperature reach the set-point of the valve, either 35°F (1.7°C) or 40°F (4.4°C), the GURU® will automatically “pop” open and drain the tank before freeze damage can occur.

Passenger Car Freeze Protection 

Passenger trains’ potable water-bearing systems are at risk of burst piping and tanks from freezing temperatures when the car heat is turned off for switching locomotives, during layovers or a power outage. Not only does this cause damage to the train, but it also disrupts the water supply being used for hand washing, hygiene and food preparation.

Eliminate this risk by installing a GURU PC® valve at the lowest point in a passenger car’s potable water bearing system. This valve monitors ambient temperatures and will automatically drain the system if the air temperature falls to the valve’s set-point, 35°F (1.7°C), preventing frozen tanks and bursting pipes.

GURU Rebuild Program

To maintain optimal valve performance, ThermOmegaTech® recommends you replace your GURU’s every 18-24 months to prevent nuisance dumping. We’ve developed a cost-effective way for you to prepare your fleet each winter with the GURU Rebuild Program. Send us your old GURU® Plugs to be cleaned, refurbished, and retested as part of your maintenance schedule to restore used GURU® Plugs to like-new condition!

Protecting over 95% of the North American locomotive industry and the largest passenger railroad provider in the United States, the GURU® truly is the gold standard in railroad freeze protection. Any winterization procedure without the GURU® is incomplete.

3 GURU Plug Accessories to Stream-Line Maintenance

The North American railroad industry has relied on the GURU Plug to protect its locomotives every winter for more than 35 years. A reliable and easy to use product, the GURU is the industry’s freeze protection standard.

Each time the GURU Plug “pops” and dumps a water storage tank due to falling temperatures, the tank has to be refilled. To streamline refilling the water tank and getting your locomotive back into service quickly, we offer the following GURU Plug accessories:

GURU Flag and Clip

To avoid “tripping” the valve while refilling the tank with cold water, we offer the GURU Flag and Clip Tool. After warming the cartridge nose, the clip at the end of the cable is inserted into the resetting stem’s slot and the tank is refilled.

When the locomotive’s cooling system is back up to temperature, the clip is removed and the GURU is ready to protect the locomotive.

The flag is magnetic and attached on the outer wall of the locomotive as a visual aid, reminding operators that the GURU plug is disarmed. The flag prevents leaving the clip in the valve stem, compromising the valve’s function.

GURU Flag and Key

The GURU Flag and Key tool works with the anti-tamper valve’s domed cap. The tool’s “key” is inserted into the cartridge end of the valve after warming the nose in order to clip the resetting stem.

The stem is not accessible, eliminating the risk of leaving a penny or washer tucked up under it by accident and compromising freeze protection.

Compressor Head Cleaning Tool

Over time, dirt and debris can accumulate in a locomotive’s compressor head, potentially compromising freeze protection.

The compressor head cleaning tool(CHCT) is used to flush out debris from the compressor head and ensure a complete seal.

Steam Tracing Traps That Save You Money

During cold months, fluid-carrying or temperature-sensitive piping must be winterized to keep industrial processes functioning optimally. For facilities that already have systems that use steam, redirecting some of it to heat trace piping during the winter months seems a simple solution.

While an effective method for preventing potential freeze damage, conventional steam traps often result in expensive live steam losses and temperature variations on piping, which may effect the processes that they supply.

When used as a steam trap on steam tracing, ThermOmegaTech®’s TV/HAT valve eliminates these issues. The TV/HAT only drains cooled condensate, eliminating live steam losses and saving money over the freeze season.

Installed on each tubing run, the TV/HAT keeps the entire traced piping at the same temperature, a necessity for temperature-sensitive applications and equipment.

Using leak port flow, the valve constantly bleeds a small amount of condensate to continuously monitor the discharge temperature, allowing for a shorter reaction time to temperature changes.

As the steam in the tracing cools to condensate and its temperature falls to the valve’s set-point, the TV/HAT modulates open, drains the condensate, and closes once the discharge temperature has risen.

Offered in a wide range of set-points, the TV/HAT’s reliable actuator and corrosion-resistant stainless steel body guarantee a long service life.

Protecting your piping during the winter with steam tracing shouldn’t empty your pockets – implement the TV/HAT for reliable and efficient steam tracing control. For more information on the solutions ThermOmegaTech® offers, click here to visit our website.

Should you have any questions about how the TV/HAT valve can benefit your facility, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

The GURU Plug is a self-operating, thermostatic freeze protection drain valve. Designed to monitor engine coolant water temperature and drain before any freeze damage can occur, this compact device has protected millions of dollars in railroad investments from freeze damage for more than 35 years.

Are you ordering GURUs for a new locomotive? Read on for the 3 most important factors to consider when choosing the appropriate GURU Plugs for your locomotive.

1. Drain Rate

The GURU is offered in two standard sizes: the GURU DL and the Magnum GURU, with their respective bore sizes: 1″ and 1.25″. While the size difference may seem insignificant, they have considerably different drain rates. The GURU DL drains an estimated 300 gallons in 28 minutes, and the Magnum GURU will drain approximately 300 gallons in 14 minutes.

The GURU DL utilizes 1.25″ NPT thread and requires thread sealant upon installation, while the Magnum GURU utilizes an SAE straight thread o-ring design which does not require a sealant. This makes the Magnum GURU easier to service when rebuilding your current plug with the GURU Rebuild Program.

2. Temperature Set-Point

The GURU Plug is offered in 35°F and 40°F set-points. The “pop” temperature is entirely up to preference, but it is important to consider maintenance as a factor since a 40°F GURU will likely trip more frequently than a 35°F GURU, which could result in higher fuel costs due to the locomotive idling in between dumps.

3. Location, Location, Location

For GURUs installed on the main drain, you will likely require a standard Type T GURU. A flanged style may be selected depending on the set-up. We offer three different flange options: Type FL (with grooves), Type-FL-GX (without grooves), and Type-FL/FL-GX (with and without grooves). These are a direct replacement for the Prime Electric valve.

When the GURU is installed on the compressor head, the style selected will depend on the compressor style and manufacturer:

• Type CH – water-cooled air compressors
• Type CHS – Gardner Denver, WLA, and WNA water-cooled air compressors
• Type S – installed in the manifold, this valve acts as an air vent to decrease drain time

To learn more about implementing the GURU into your new or existing locomotive, click here. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

As always, thank you for your continued support.

The Therm-O-Mix Station is an industrial tepid water delivery system for safety showers and face/eyewash stations. The station uses a facility’s existing steam and water supply to instantaneously deliver tepid water and requires no source of electricity, making it ideal for explosion-proof environments.

Check out some frequently asked questions about this product below:

 

A3: No. The Therm-O-Mix is designed for intermittent use, making it unsuitable for a continuous supply recirculation system.

Q4: Can I capture the steam condensate? 

A4: No. The drain line must be unobstructed and free-flowing for the unit to operate correctly. No steam trap should be used on this line; the addition of a steam trap or restriction may result in a scalding hazard. The drain line must be piped so that there is no back pressure restriction. Do not tie other drain lines into drain pipe.

Q5: I have an existing safety shower setup, can I use the Therm-O-Mix?

A5: Of course, the Therm-O-Mix has a small footprint and doesn’t require a water tank or extensive piping, making it easy to retrofit on existing safety shower and face/eyewash stations.

To learn more about this tepid water delivery station, check out our YouTube video here.

For more information on the Therm-O-Mix Station or our other tepid water delivery options, we invite you to click here to visit our website.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

GURU Plug test: The effect of extreme cold on the GURU Plug

The Study

On January 6, 2020, ThermOmegaTech conducted an environmental exposure test to determine if extremely cold air temperatures could cause the GURU Plug to nuisance dump when engine coolant water temperature is above the valve’s release set-point.

The test was performed at ThermOmegaTech’s Warminster, Pennsylvania headquarters in an on-site lab and was supervised by a qualified design engineer.

Conditions

A GURU DL 2.1 Type-T valve was installed in a Tenny Environmental Chamber and exposed to 3MPH winds at -60°F (-51.1°C) in an attempt to trigger a nuisance dump.

To simulate engine coolant, the test was conducted with 55°F (12.7°C) water flowing through the valve tee at 1GPM. Coolant temperature was monitored at the inlet and outlet of the environmental chamber and flow was adjusted to keep the inlet and outlet temperatures relatively consistent at 55°F (12.7°C).

To ensure environmental conditions were constant throughout the test, the temperature chamber door remained closed. To accurately determine if a valve release occurred, a leakSMART® sensor was placed inside of the chamber underneath the GURU Plug.

Conclusion

After two hours of exposure, the GURU remained closed. There were no instances of nuisance dumping above the GURU Plug’s set-point due to the extreme cold air temperature or wind exposure.

This test confirmed that 55°F (12.7°C) engine coolant flowing at 1GPM will provide sufficient heat/energy for the GURU DL 2.1 to remain closed despite environmental conditions. The test also confirmed the benefits of sensing the coolant fluid’s temperature, compared to sensing the ambient air temperature. Due to the GURU’s fluid-sensing design, it is able to operate in environments where ambient sensing products cannot.

The test results were verified by removing the 55°F (12.7°C) coolant flow, leading the GURU to release.

GURU Rebuild Program FAQs

ThermOmegaTech recommends replacing your GURU Plugs every 18-24 months to prevent nuisance dumping as the valve ages. The GURU Plug Rebuild Program is a great way to get your used valves refurbished for about half the price of a new valve.

Below are some commonly asked questions about the Rebuild Program:

Q1: What is the purpose of the colored caps?
A1: The colored caps serve as a visual indicator of what year the valve was built. There are five colors that rotate, each associated with a year. For example, 2018’s color is white. In 2019, the maintenance crew can easily determine that the white capped GURU Plugs will not need to be rebuilt for another year. The manufacture date is also laser marked on the top of each cap as a second reference (MM/YY).

Q2: How does the rebuild program work?
A2: All you need to do is send ThermOmegaTech a rebuild purchase order and your used GURU Plugs (be sure to include a copy of the purchase order with your shipment). We disassemble the valve, scrap and replace the internal components, and clean up the cartridge body and hex nut. The reassembled valve is then cartridge tested (heat soaked and air cooled), leak tested, and pop tested before being returned to the customer. We also offer a UTEX program for orders of 50 pieces or less, so you can get your GURU plugs back even quicker.

Q3: Where do we send our used GURU Plugs?
A3: The same place they were originally built, tested, and distributed – our headquarters! Please ship the valves to this address:

ThermOmegaTech, Inc.
Attn: Rebuild Program
353 Ivyland Road
Warminster, PA 18974

To prevent damage to the cartridges and hex nuts, be sure to ship them with plenty of packaging material to keep them from bouncing around while in transit, and cover each hex nut with the blue thread protectors that originally came with the valve. If you do not have the thread protectors, add extra packing material to avoid damage to the hex nuts.

Q4: Do I need to return the hex nut, or just the cartridge?
A4: We recommend to send both the cartridge and the hex nut back to be rebuilt to ensure that the hex nut seat area is cleaned, as dirt and debris can build up and compromise the plug’s freeze protection.

For more information on the GURU Plug Rebuild Program and how it can help protect your locomotives all winter long, visit our website at: www.thermomegatech.com/guru-rebuild-program.

If you have any questions about these GURU Rebuild Program FAQs or the refurbished GURUs, please do not hesitate to give us a call. As always, thank you for your business and I look forward to working with you.

Choose the HAT/FP for your condensate line freeze protection needs!

As the freeze months settle in to stay, winter-proofing seems natural for some systems in your facility – make sure the emergency shower doesn’t freeze, the break room faucet still gives water, and that the bathrooms don’t turn into skating rinks.

You’ve got everything covered, but what about your industrial system’s steam condensate line?

The valve can alternatively be installed in a reverse flow position, in which case it would continuously monitor and modulate based on the condensate temperature.

The HAT/FP valve functions completely mechanically, automatically modulating in response to temperature changes. It can act as either the condensate line’s primary freeze protection or as a backup to heat tracing.

Don’t wait for frozen condensate lines to disrupt your industrial system, install a ThermOmegaTech HAT/FP valve before temperatures drop! For more information on the freeze protection solutions ThermOmegaTech offers, click here to visit our website.

Should you have any questions about how to integrate our HAT/FP condensate line freeze protection valve into your facility, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

The GURU PC valve provides passenger car freeze protection for on-board kitchens and bathrooms.

The GURU technology you trust to protect your locomotives from freeze damage could be protecting your passenger cars, too!

Any passenger car that has a water bearing system, typically for toilets or kitchens, is in danger of suffering freeze damage during the winter months. Water in non-operating cars can easily burst pipes and tanks, taking the car out of service and resulting in expensive and lengthy repairs.

To protect your investments and equipment, ThermOmegaTech offers the GURU PC valve, a thermostatic, self-modulating freeze protection valve for passenger train cars.

Installed in a passenger car’s water bearing system, the GURU PC continually senses the ambient air temperature outside of the car. When the temperature falls to the valve’s set-point, it opens and drains the system before the water can freeze, preventing thousands of dollars in damage from a dip in temperature.

When the passenger car is restarted, the valve reheats and automatically modulates closed, allowing for the tank to be refilled with water. This valve takes the worry out of passenger car freeze protection, no matter how cold the weather becomes.

Refill and start-up time can be shortened by using the GURU PC  valve with Heater Assembly. After the GURU PC has opened and drained the system and power is returned to the car, the heater assembly activates and heats the valve, quickly returning it to a closed position so that the tank can be refilled with cold water, after which the car can be returned to service.

The GURU PC valve is easy to install and has a high flow design for rapid draining of your passenger cars. With no power requirements for the valve to operate, there are minimal maintenance requirements. The GURU PC is NSF 61 certified for use in potable water systems and has been shock and vibration tested by a third party to ensure that, no matter where your trains go, the GURU PC will always be along for the ride.

For a worry-free winter, trust the GURU PC to keep your passenger cars running on time all winter long.

Water Bearing Systems Most Likely To Freeze.

Consider the following two questions:

1. Which systems use water in your facility? Water supply lines, condensate systems, piping, and safety showers probably come to mind.

2. What happens if those systems freeze? Interrupted systems, overheated equipment, and dangerous working conditions are all possible.

If water-bearing systems are left unprotected, the first cold front could make these worst-case scenarios a reality. Even heat-traced systems are at risk for freezing should electric tracing malfunction.

To ensure that your equipment and processes remain operational all winter long, consider implementing the HAT/FP automatic freeze protection valve.

Safety Shower & Face/Eyewash Stations

Exposed water lines on safety shower and face/eyewash stations are often left unprotected from freezing conditions. Installed at the lowest point on a safety station, the HAT/FP automatically bleeds cold water to prevent freezing and maintain safe working conditions for employees (as well as OSHA compliance).

 

Condensate Systems

An unavoidable by-product of steam heated processes, steam condensate is often recaptured for reuse. As such, steam condensate return lines are omnipresent in production facilities. The HAT/FP guards these often-lengthy return lines from costly damages due to freezing temperatures.

 

Water Supply Lines

Often located in non-temperature controlled environments, water supply lines are particularly vulnerable to cold weather. The HAT/FP valve automatically opens to drain cooled water and closes when warm water back fills to conserve water, eliminating the cost of human error associated with manual freeze valves.

 

Designed and manufactured in the U.S.A., our valves are constructed with stainless-steel for a guaranteed long service life protecting your investments.

No heat tracing system is infallible, and it snows in Hawaii from time to time. For a worry-free winter, implement the HAT/FP freeze protection valve.

For more information on our products and their additional industrial applications, we invite you to visit our website.

The GURU Rebuild Program – keeping your freeze protection functioning at peak performance all winter long.

How old are your GURUs? A simple question, but one that many maintenance managers may not know the answer to.

The GURU Plug relies on a paraffin wax actuator to “pop” and drain water tanks before freeze damage can occur in cold weather. As the GURU ages, there is a tendency for it to lose a small amount of stroke. While this would never compromise your freeze protection, it can eventually lead to nuisance dumping above the valve’s set-point.

To avoid this, we recommend replacing your GURU Plugs every 18-24 months and developed the GURU Rebuild Program to provide an economical and green way to do so.

The GURU Rebuild Program restores used GURU plugs to full functionality. After being sent in to our factory, each plug is disassembled, cleaned, checked, and its interior components are replaced. Each refurbished valve goes through our standard testing procedure to confirm correct operation before being returned to the customer.

Rebuild Program Benefits

Undeniably the most beneficial part of the program, GURU Plugs are processed and returned in like-new condition for about half the cost of a new valve. This has proven to be a significant cost-savings option for locomotive operators who may have hundreds of GURUs installed at once.

An additional program benefit is what it generates less of – waste. Instead of simply trashing used GURUs that are nuisance dumping and purchasing a new one, the rebuild program recycles the majority of the valve’s components. This reduces overall environmental impact, so you can feel good knowing that we at ThermOmegaTech® are protecting both your investments and the planet.

How To Determine Your GURU Plug’s Age

Not sure how old your GURU Plug is? Our valves have a yearly-rotated color cap to easily identify the year it was sold. In addition, each cap is laser marked on the top with it’s month and year of manufacture. As per the below color cap chart, if your GURU isn’t red or white, it’s time to send them back!

For more information on the GURU Rebuild Program, we invite you to visit our website at: www.thermomegatech.com/guru-rebuild-program.

As always, thank you for your continued support.

In warmer months, the sun can easily overheat external water carrying pipes, resulting in emergency safety showers and face/eyewash stations being supplied with dangerously hot scalding water.

To avoid scalding or a dangerous chemical reaction, the HAT/SP scald protection valve monitors and drains overheated water from safety stations to protect workers.

Installed in-line, the HAT/SP monitors ambient or fluid temperatures. When the valve’s internal thermostatic actuator senses that the temperature has reached 98°F (36.7°C), the valve will automatically modulate open and drain. Once the back-filling water temperature has fallen to 95°F (35°C), the valve closes to conserve water.

HAT/SP Scald Protection Valve

Designed and manufactured in the USA, the HAT/SP functions mechanically and does not require a source of electricity to operate.

For more information on the HAT/SP scald protection valve and other products that we offer, click here to visit our website.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

The GURU® Plug protects millions of dollars in railroad equipment every year and is the North American standard for locomotive freeze protection.

To keep your valves functioning at optimal levels and prevent nuisance dumping as the GURU® ages, ThermOmegaTech® recommends replacing them every 18-24 months.The GURU® Rebuild Program offers an economical and efficient way to do so.

Here are frequently asked questions about the GURU® Rebuild Program:

Q1: Where should I send the used GURU® Plugs to?
A1: Send them to our headquarters at:

                ThermOmegaTech, Inc.
                353 Ivyland Road
                Warminster, PA 18974 USA

Q2: Do I need an RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization)?
A2: No. Simply send a copy of the rebuild program purchase order.

Q3: How quickly will I get the GURU® Plugs back?
Q3: Depends on quantity. Orders with 50 or less plugs will be processed upon receipt of the PO by our UTEX program and returned to the customer within a week. For orders with 51+ plugs our factory will wait to receive the GURU® cores and then process the order with the same 1-week lead time.

Q4: Will the refurbished GURU®s work the same as a brand new one?
Q4: Absolutely! Every valve processed through the GURU® Rebuild Program is disassembled, cleaned, checked, and has its interior components replaced. The refurbished valve then goes through our standard testing procedure to confirm full functionality before being returned to you.

For more information on the program, click here.