Including liquid evacuation valve with cluster eases LP gas withdrawal

New from the Cavagna Group, a liquid withdrawal valve integrated into the body of the company’s underground multi-service valve is easier to reach while offering more function in less space.

“The key feature is that the liquid evacuation valve is included with the cluster valve,” says Matt Gimmer, LPG sales manager.

“This integration eliminates the need for an additional orifice in the tank and allows access for liquid evacuation at the riser,” he reports, adding that the firm’s always been active in improving its products for the propane industry.

“Even with the evacuation valve now on the cluster, Cavagna’s engineering has managed to maintain a compact design that has a field-proven liquid evacuation rate of 16 gallons per minute,” says Gimmer, as he outlines the included features:

■ Integrated service valve with double o-ring valve stem
■ Double back-check filler valve suitable for all filling requirements, and that can be replaced without having to evacuate the tank
■ Vapor equalization valve with excess flow device
■ Pressure relief valve
■ Fixed liquid level gauge
■ Float gauge port, “Junior” to accommodate all sizes
■ Liquid evacuation valve

“Debris, dirty water, and mud and snow are no longer issues in tank evacuation,” Gimmer says.

Safety was a key factor in the development of the unit, which is constructed of brass. In an emergency situation, it can quickly be located, the hook-up accomplished and the propane withdrawn.

“In talking with tank manufacturers, field service personnel and emergency responders,” Gimmer says, “they all suggested that having the liquid evacuation valve included with the cluster would be an advantage and enhancement.”

The product has found wide acceptance among new-tank providers and refurbishers.

“Since its introduction about a year ago, it’s been consistently gaining market share,” he notes.

Service people on the job at a customer’s property can easily make the change as well.

“In a retrofit, you pull the old valve off and put the new one on,” Gimmer says.

“It’s a convenience feature for our [propane marketer] customers if they need to withdraw propane from the tank,” says Tom Aikens, vice president of sales at Trinity Containers.

“Now it’s at the same level as the other parts of the valve – everything’s in one spot instead of in two locations. It provides easier and more convenient access.”

Aikens says his firm adopted the technology “because there was demand from the marketplace” for this type of innovation.

For more information, visit www.cavagnagroup.com.