23.05 Where are solenoid valves used and how do they work?

Solenoid valves are electric actuated valves that use an electric coil to raise the valve seat and allow flow. The valves are available as normally open or normally closed.costs

Solenoid valves have the benefits of (a) fail safe close operation for normally closed valves, (b) fast acting, (c) relative low cost, and (d) simple wiring. Potential problems are : (a) failure with extended use, (b) fast close action can induce fluid hammer problems in piping, (c) dirty or deteriorated seat surfaces allow fluid leakage, (d) general lack of position feedback to controllers.

Solenoid valves are commonly used at the inlet of day tanks for flow control. A normally closed valve is used for normal day tank fill. A normally open valve is sometimes used in series to activate as high level stop valve.

Solenoid valves are also used as (a) anti-siphon valves, (b) tank fill pipe overfill prevention valves.

We do not recommend solenoid valves for tank selection, especially for filtration / polishing systems. The reason is that fuel leakage through dirty or deteriorated seating surfaces can cause tank overfills.

We also do not recommend solenoid valves that operate in a normally energized state.

A critical aspect of solenoid valve application is installation of a strainer (recommended 100 mesh) immediately upstream of the valves. Piping debris can damage seating surfaces or obstruct proper seating to allow leakage through the valve.