Flush Valve Research Articles

Building Augmented Reality Integrated Automated Supervisory Flush Valve Testing System

The plastic manufacturing industry, like many other manufacturing industries, is going through great and rapid changes since the 4th industrial revolution. In addition to more conventional innovations such as factory automation, this industry has started to experience more advanced technologies like Internet of Things, augmented reality,... This article presents a case study on the applicability of automation and several technologies from the 4th industrial revolution to the plastic manufacturing industry. To be more specific, the article will demonstrate the process of building a semi-automated flush valve testing system to replace the manual testing process and integrating monitoring, data acquisition, and augmented reality technologies into the above system. The results compared with the manual testing process at a sanitary accessory manufacturing in Vietnam show that the application of those technologies is possible and can solve many issues commonly found in the manual testing process.

Too Much of a Good Thing: Iatrogenic Pediatric Pneumothorax from Engagement of the Oxygen Flush Valve.

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Standardization of Fixture Units for Modern Flush Valves by Optimizing Water Demand Using Modified Hunter’s Curve

AbstractPlumbing planners and architects choose to use the 1940s Hunter curve that articulated domestic demand to solve the complex and multifaceted difficulties they found in the probabilistic pro...

Flush valve malfunction of a central venous pressure transducer causing inadvertent excessive fluid administration

Flush valve malfunction of a central venous pressure transducer causing inadvertent excessive fluid administration

Installation of improved technical facilities for further development of gas-bearing formations at the drilling process

As a result of developed new methods of researching gas wells for stationary and non-stationary gas inflows to the bottom of the well, a new prospect looms in one actually worked out study mode. It consists in the fact that research can be performed not only in cased wells. This, to a certain extent, brings the study closer to testing formations while drilling. Practically, this idea is still far from being realized. Although this does not mean that one should not strive to approach her. Indeed, such attempts are already known and they were successful for shallow well depths. These attempts have identified the needs and indicated the direction of improvement in terms of technological methods and technical means. The equipment quality itself also plays an important role. As deeper depths require better quality equipment. Because we can talk about unstable reservoirs and possible high pressures of gas products. Naturally, such problems should be addressed in a comprehensive manner. That is, both technological approaches and technical means to meet their needs shall be considered simultaneously. It is clear that it is impossible to take into account all these needs in one publication. Therefore, the goal was to touch upon the issue of improving technical means for the study of gas wells in the process of drilling. The quality of technical equipment shall satisfy the conditions of reliability not only when working in a high pressure environment. It should provide the ability to perform tasks assigned to the technical means on the one hand. On the other hand, to obtain reliable research results. Because the requirements for the actual data of one tested study mode are very high. Since the subsequent processing of the research data will provide an opportunity to obtain the gas-hydrodynamic parameters of studied formations. And on their basis, the question of productive characteristics and prospects of the objects under study will be decided. This publication proposes an improved drillable packer and flush lock-off valve as advanced equipment. They belong to the underground equipment complex. Together with other test equipment, they provide testing of gas-saturated formations in the trial operation mode.

SOSTAUGA project: reduction of water consumption and evaluation of potential uses for endogenous resources

PurposeThe University of A Coruña (UDC) elaborated the SOSTAUGA project, aiming to reach a higher sustainable level of its water management. SOSTAUGA defined four priority points of action: the restoration of the natural courses on the campus; the adoption of an ecological sanitation model; the sustainable management of urban runoff; and the reduction of water consumption in university facilities and activities. This paper aims to present the methodology, the actions and the results related to the reduction of water consumption and the potential for the use of endogenous resources.Design/methodology/approachThe agents involved were the senior management of the centres, the committees of the Green Campus, the scholarship students and the Office for the Environment. Several actions have been experienced: audit of water consumption in sanitary services; flow reduction in washbasin taps by means of valve adjustment (and repair of the valves when necessary); replacement of tap aerators with other more eco-efficient ones; replacement of faucets; introduction of dual-flush (DF) in cisterns; and information to users (eco-label).FindingsWater audit reached 68% of the total number of washbasins and tanks in the UDC. Efficient aerator installation covered 16% of taps and valve adjustment covered the further 33.5% and provided flow reduction of 42%. Another 20% of valve units required repair. The current situation in toilets combines tankless flush valves and cisterns with single flush mechanisms. The introduction of DF mechanisms was assessed and proposed. The cost of these actions was very low, as evidenced by the investment return period while showing a high potential for user awareness.Originality/valueBoth from the environmental (water saving) and from the economic and social points of view, this study shows that similar projects aimed at the efficient and rational use of water are applicable to the universities and other public and private schools, with potentially positive results on sustainability and people awareness.

Case study: Noise reduction of a vacuum-assisted toilet

Flushing a vacuum-assisted toilet generates noise levels that can be disturbing both to users and those nearby. Peak radiated noise levels correlate with the time when the valve opens and closes, while the noise levels when the valve is com- pletely open are also relatively high. Significant noise ranges between 300 Hz and 3000 Hz. It was hypothesized that increasing the in-tube distance between the flush valve and the bowl in addition to increasing the bend radius of the tube would reduce radiated noise levels. These modifications resulted in a reduction of about 14 dB in the radiated noise during the valve opening and closing in ad- dition to a reduction of about 5 dB while the valve is completely opened. Inter- mediate results of varying the tube length and bend radius are presented to show their effects on the radiated sound levels. Two tube inserts were designed to fit (1) underneath and (2) behind the toilet in a compact manner. They were tested to show that they maintain noise control performance without modifying any other part of the toilet.

Analysis of water consumption in toilets employing Shewhart, EWMA, and Shewhart-EWMA combined control charts

The objective of this article is to statistically analyze and apply process control on water consumption in toilet flush devices in a public university building using Shewhart, EWMA and combined Shewhart-EWMA control charts. Data such as water volume, number of activations and flush-time duration were collected utilizing Smart-Meter sensors. A script was developed in R language to perform the appropriate statistical analysis, such as finding control charts control limits and transforming the obtained raw data into key variables: total volume per day, average flush volume, flush duration, and number of flushes per day. During the data gathering period, the regular single-flush equipment was replaced by a dual-flush model. The control charts Phase 1 is based on the collected data before the installation of the dual-flush devices, while Phase 2 is based on after replacement. After installing the new dual-flush devices, all control charts displayed visible changes based on the key variables. The replacement of the flush valves brought about a considerable reduction in water consumption in both male and female restrooms. There was a 21.72% reduction in average water consumption and a 12.09% average reduction in flushing time duration. The equipment replacement resulted in an evaluated Internal Rate of Return of 0.73%. Periodic monitoring of Shewhart Control Charts proved useful for observing large shifts of data, while EWMA control charts were more useful in locating small but constant data shifts. All chart models proved useful in identifying water consumption reduction and events such as leakages and water supply cutoffs occurring during the data gathering period.

Going real time in water conservation – the Singapore experience

Abstract Traditional, mandatory water efficiency requirements such as maximum allowable flow rates for taps and showers, as well as water efficiency labelling for water fittings and appliances (taps, mixers, dual flush low capacity water closets (LCWCs), urinals and urinal flush valves, and washing machines) have helped achieve remarkable reductions in per capita household consumption over the years. To further boost domestic sector water conservation efforts in line with the vision for a Smart Nation where people are empowered by technology to improve living, PUB will seek to gain a deeper understanding of household water use patterns and habits, as well as what motivates water-saving behaviours. This will enable programmes to be designed and implemented in a more targeted manner. This paper shares the key findings and experiences from two projects – the Smart Shower Programme and the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) WaterGoWhere Project – whereby smart devices provide the technological means of modifying user attention to achieve greater water conservation.

Development and hydraulic performance evaluation of gravity drip system of irrigation for precision kitchen gardening

Gravity drip system of irrigation is a cheap, efficient and precised way of providing irrigation water for the kitchen garden. The system is simple to develop, install, operate and very much cater to the need of urban as well as rural kitchen gardening and needs of small and marginal farmers under Badi system of cultivation. It is especially suitable for un-electrified as well as unreliable electric supply area. However, its hydraulic performance needs to be assessed before being used in the kitchen garden for smooth and precise application of water and nutrient. In this study a gravity drip system of irrigation was developed and its hydraulic performance has been evaluated. The system was developed with a platform supported by a frame of 2.55 m height, an overhead tank of 750 liter, 20 m sub main of 63 mm diameter, 200 m lateral of 16 mm with 1.3 lph rated discharge, control valve, flush valve, 10 nos. lateral filters, 10 nos. lateral valves, end caps etc. for a plot of 100 sq. m. (20m × 5m). Hydraulic performance of the system was then evaluated on levelled field at Department of Soil and Water Engineering, IGKV, Raipur, in terms of effect of pressure (head) on discharge, manufacturing coefficient of variation, mean flow rate deviation, uniformity coefficient, application efficiency and distribution efficiency at the falling head of 3.55 m to 2.60 m from the emitting surface. Coefficient of variation, emitter flow variation, uniformity coefficient, application efficiency and distribution efficiency was found to be 4.77%, 14.54%, 95.23%, 91.21% and 95.97% which are in the acceptable limits.

A-41 洗浄弁内臓節水型大便器の排出性能・器具排水特性・搬送性能に関する研究

A-41 洗浄弁内臓節水型大便器の排出性能・器具排水特性・搬送性能に関する研究

Measuring water use, conservation, and differences by gender using an inexpensive, high frequency metering system

We present an inexpensive, open source, water metering system for measuring water use quantity and behavior at high temporal frequency. We demonstrate this technology in two high-traffic, public restrooms at Utah State University before and after installing high efficiency, automatic faucets and toilet flush valves. We also integrated an inexpensive sensor to count user traffic. Sensing restroom visits and water use events allowed us to identify fixture malfunctions, average water use per person, variability in use by fixtures (faucets versus urinals and toilets), variability in use by fixtures compared to manufacturer specifications, gender differences in use, and the difference in use after retrofit of the restrooms with high efficiency fixtures. The inexpensive metering system can help institutions remotely measure and record water use trends and behavior, identify leaks and fixture malfunctions, and schedule fixture maintenance or upgrades, all of which can ultimately help them meet goals for sustainable water use.

The performance of a mobile air conditioning system with a water cooled condenser

Vehicle technological evolution lived, in recent years, a strong acceleration due to the increased awareness of environmental issues related to pollutants and climate altering emissions. This resulted in a series of international regulations on automotive sector which put technical challenges that must consider the engine and the vehicle as a global system, in order to improve the overall efficiency of the system. The air conditioning system of the cabin, for instance, is the one of the most important auxiliaries in a vehicle and requires significant powers. Its performances can be significantly improved if it is integrated within the engine cooling circuit, eventually modified with more temperature levels.In this paper, the Authors present a mathematical model of the A/C system, starting from its single components: compressors, condenser, flush valve and evaporator and a comparison between different refrigerant fluid. In particular, it is introduced the opportunity to have an A/C condenser cooled by a water circuit instead of the external air linked to the vehicle speed, as in the actual traditional configuration. The A/C condenser, in fact, could be housed on a low temperature water circuit, reducing the condensing temperature of the refrigeration cycle with a considerable efficiency increase.

Failure Analysis of AISI 302 Steel Compression Spring Used in Flush and Purge Valve of Liquid Engine

AISI 302 stainless steel is used for making compression springs for launch vehicle programmes. One such AISI 302 stainless steel compression spring used in flush and purge valve of liquid engine of a satellite launch vehicle failed during testing. The failure was at the second round of spring and it failed in a slanted type fracture. Detailed metallurgical analysis indicated that the failure was due to fatigue.

IDENTIFICAÇÃO BACTERIOLÓGICA EM BANHEIROS DE UNIDADES BÁSICAS DE SAÚDE DE MUNICÍPIOS DO NOROESTE PAULISTA, BRASIL

As infecções relacionadas à assistência em saúde (IRAS), que são aquelas adquiridas durante a prestação dos cuidados de saúde, são um dos principais problemas de saúde pública não apenas no Brasil, mas no mundo. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo o isolamento e identificação de espécimens bacteriológicas em superfícies de banheiros de Unidades Básicas de Saúde (UBS) localizadas em municípios do Noroeste Paulista, Brasil. As coletas foram realizadas em Maio de 2014, por meio da fricção de swabs estéreis embebidos em solução salina, abrangendo maçanetas, torneiras e válvulas de descarga de 16 banheiros situados em quatro UBS, totalizando 48 amostras. Das 48 amostras coletadas, foram identificadas 79 cepas, diferenciadas em 14 tipos de microrganismos, com prevalência de bacilos Gram positivos (49%), Staphylococcus aureus (13%) e Serratia rubidae (12%). Dentre as superfícies analisadas, as torneiras apresentaram o maior grau de contaminação. Além disso, foi constatado que os banheiros mais contaminados foram os destinados ao uso exclusivo de colaboradores. Essas evidências mostram a necessidade da conscientização de boas práticas de higienização pelos profissionais da saúde e da comunidade, a fim de minimizar o risco de transmissão de patógenos.

Election Supervisor, Bosnia

Election Supervisor, Bosnia Susan Rich (bio) I don’t remember the name of the city or who was shooting at whom. Instead, I see the shimmer of the toilet bowl, its pearl-like shine. Eighteen years after the fact, I’m still on the floor trying to curl my shoulders behind white porcelain. A foreign correspondent once told me that bathrooms are the safe houses of war. The tiled walls and windowless interiors create an explosion-free zone; at least, this was his theory. I insert a prayerlike mantra and keep repeating to myself not this way, not here, not in a hotel, not now. My two electoral companions, Tonko and Bornfree, are neither friends nor lovers, and they stay somewhere down the hall from me, where it is silent. In time, my head leaning against the bowl becomes as natural as pressing against a lover. If only room service were available, I might take up residence forever by this tank with its flush valve and floating arm. The gunshots aren’t directed at me, but bullets have minds of their own. For now, the three of us remain huddled up against the toilet, our thoughts focused on gunfire. I begin to weigh safety against stuffed chicken breasts, against puff pastry. I know that no matter what else happens, dinner will be served in the dining room. Finally, hunger trumps fear and pulls me off the floor. The rituals of eating and drinking won’t stop in the wake of minor catastrophe. I retrieve my upper arms from behind the toilet, cross the threshold, and head down the hall, wishing I could take the toilet seat with me as a shield. The maître d’follows the universal rule of maître d’s everywhere: studied nonchalance. He leads us to a table not far from where a cluster of old men sing off key. Tonko’s there, and he grimly informs me they’re singing the anthem of the Ustaše—these are Nazis, the real deal. Brown leather jackets and pointed shoes. I can’t bring myself to look into their faces. On the television screen behind me, President Clinton gives a speech [End Page 50] surrounded by solemn blue suits. Something about nuclear war or nuclear proliferation treaties. I can’t hear him over the Ustaše’s drunken singing. And I wonder if this is what the end of the world will sound like: waiters darting table to table, the beat of machine-gun fire, and this terrible, terrible singing. [End Page 51] Susan Rich Susan Rich is the author of four collections of poetry, most recently Cloud Pharmacy and The Alchemist’s Kitchen. The latter was a finalist for the Foreword Prize and the Washington State Book Award. She has received awards from the Times Literary Supplement of London, Peace Corps Writers, and the Fulbright Foundation. Individual poems appear in the Antioch Review, New England Review, Poetry Ireland Review, and Southern Review. She is coeditor of the anthology The Strangest of Theatres: Poets Crossing Borders. Rich lives and writes in Seattle, Washington. Copyright © 2013 University of Nebraska Press

Internal leakage of oxygen flush valve

setting was 2% but at the gas analyzer was 1.2%). In addition, the oxygen analyzer indicated that oxygen concentration was higher than the setting: oxygen was delivered at 50%, but the oxygen concentration measurer indicated the delivery of 60% oxygen). Suspecting a malfunction of the vaporizer, at first, we checked whether or not the sevoflurane vaporizer was properly set up, but could not detect any particular problems. Then, we attempted desflurane for the inhaled anesthetics, but the issue was not resolved. In case the anesthetic depth may be lower than intended, fentanyl 25 μg was intravenously provided. Because the operation was close to completion, we proceeded with the operation, while the sevoflurane vaporizer setting increased to 3 vol%. After completion of the operation, we requested a repair on the machine to the manufacturer, and they discovered a leak in the oxygen flush valve. At the follow- up visit, following anesthesia, no awareness during general anesthesia was observed and he was discharged without any complications. The oxygen flush valve is a device to allow direct communi -

세척밸브 급수제어장치 설치에 따른 경제적 효과 분석

The amount of water resources that can be used tend to be decreased gradually. In contrast, the rapidly increasing water consumption is a problem that need to be addressed. Renovation and equipment replacement to improve energy efficiency and to reduce expenditure for building usage is required. But the excessive initial investment cost and the prolonged of pay back period may be uneconomical choice. Water usage for cleaning the toilet bowl accounts for 27%of the total water usage. Water-saving valve that can select the amount of water for cleaning toilet bowl can be reduced expenditure. After installing water-saving valve, analysed the economic effects. Water-saving valves compared with flush valves, and researched the amount of water usage. Then analyzed for the economic effects. Water-saving valve was used 5.6 <TEX>${\ell}$</TEX>/time for cleaning toilet bowl. In contrast, flush valve was consumed 8.4 <TEX>${\ell}$</TEX>/time. Water-saving valve's water-saving rate was 33.3%. The initial payback period for Water-saving valve was 459.5 days. By a small investment in water saving valve, the economic benefits can be obtained.

Numerical study of cavitating flow inside a flush valve

In water supply installations, noise pollution often occurs. As a basic component of a system, a flush valve may frequently be a source of noise and vibration generated by cavitation or high turbulence levels. During valve closing or valve opening, cavitation can be a problem. In order to decrease the noise and to improve the design inside a flush valve, some experimental and numerical analyses were carried out in our laboratories. These analyses led to some improvements in the design of the valves. Cavitation occurrence was more specifically addressed, using numerical simulation, and this is the main aim of the present paper. Particularly, the use of a simplified numerical test without cavitation model is compared with one using a cavitation model. In order to define potential cavitation risks in some parts of the valve, it has been found that a simplified approach provides an accurate overview. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations of cavitating flow of water through an industrial flush valve were performed using the Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations with a near-wall turbulence model. The flow was assumed turbulent, incompressible and steady. Two commercial CFD codes (Fluent 6.3 and Star CCM+ 3.04.009) were used to analyse the effects of inlet pressure as well as mesh size and mesh type on cavitation intensity in the flush valve.

Oxygen flush is an effective means to eliminate obscured vision by fogging during intubation using the Airtraq® optical laryngoscope

To the Editor, The Airtraq optical laryngoscope (Airtraq) (Prodol Meditec S.A., Vizcaya, Spain) is a new disposable tracheal intubation device with an anatomically-shaped blade that contains two parallel channels, the optical channel and the guiding channel, which accommodates the endotracheal tube (ETT). The image is transmitted to a proximal viewfinder, and the distal viewing lens allows visualization of the larynx and advancement of the ETT. In addition, the Airtraq has a warming element at the blade tip. According to the manufacturer’s manual, the Airtraq light should be turned on at least 30 sec before use to allow heating of the viewing lens and to prevent fogging. Despite the Airtraq’s anti-fog mechanism, we have observed that visualization of the laryngeal inlet can be obscured by fogging on the viewing lens, especially when tracheal intubation time is prolonged in patients with difficult airways. To resolve this issue, and in view of previous experience with another optical laryngoscope (Truview laryngoscope, Truphatek International Ltd, Netanya, Israel) and the fibreoptic laryngoscopes, we tested the effectiveness of using highflow oxygen to eliminate fogging during laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation using the Airtraq. After receiving local ethics committee approval and written informed consent, we recruited 321 children (aged three months to 17 yr) and 283 adults (aged 18-75 yr) into the study. All of the patients were American Society of Anesthesiologists’ physical status I-II patients who were scheduled for elective plastic surgery in our hospital from March 2009 to June 2010. All procedures called for general anesthesia requiring tracheal intubation. Exclusion criteria included patients with a limited mouth opening that precluded insertion of the Airtraq and refusal to participate in the study. All intubations were performed by anesthesiologists who had been trained in the use of an Airtraq in a short-term airway management program and who had performed tracheal intubations using this device in more than 20 patients prior to this study. Induction and maintenance of anesthesia were not standardized but were left to the discretion of the staff anesthesiologist to use either a propofol or sevofluranebased technique with or without neuromuscular blockade. Before orotracheal intubation, an appropriately-sized ETT was loaded into the guiding channel of the Airtraq, and the ETT tip was positioned at the right side of the viewing lens. When performing nasotracheal intubation, the ETT was inserted via the pre-selected nostril until its tip passed through the posterior naris. The Airtraq was then passed into the patient’s airway over the tongue in the midline. Once the Airtraq blade tip was positioned in the vallecula with the glottis in the centre of the viewfinder, the ETT was passed by the glottis and advanced downwards into the trachea. Obscured vision during laryngoscopy and intubation was defined as fogging on the viewing lens that impeded continuous observation for airway structures and ETT advancement. Whenever this problem occurred, an assistant immediately attached the anesthesia circuit to the ETT. By intermittently pushing the oxygen flush valve of an anesthesia machine, a high oxygen flow was transported via the ETT to the distal end of the Airtraq to eliminate the fogging (Figure). The efficiency of de-fogging was assessed using a three-point scale (inefficient = no Fu Shan Xue, Jian-Hua Liu contributed equally to this work.