ArmorTek-Coated ACV Helps Florida Municipality Improve System Reliability

What the Customer Needed

A municipal water facility in Florida was relying on a 12-inch Automatic Control Valve (ACV) at a tank and pumping station to maintain approximately 50 PSI of downstream pressure while storage tanks filled. However, the existing valve had never operated as intended and was unable to properly modulate flow. To compensate, operators throttled a downstream gate valve to create the required backpressure. Over time, this workaround generated excessive turbulence and cavitation, damaging piping components and destroying the internal components of the ACV. In addition to restoring proper pressure control, the municipality needed a more reliable long-term solution that could withstand the corrosive water conditions common in the region.

Solution

After evaluating the installation, the project team determined that years of cavitation had severely damaged the existing valve and its internals. A new 12-inch Ames LFM115 ACV equipped with ArmorTek® coating was selected to replace the failed unit. The valve was installed and re-plumbed, and the system was carefully tuned to ensure the ACV could properly modulate and maintain downstream pressure as originally intended. The project team also provided technical expertise and support to optimize the valve's operation, allowing it to automatically open and close based on system demands rather than relying on a manually throttled gate valve. The ArmorTek coating provided an added layer of protection against corrosion, helping extend valve life in an environment known for aggressive water quality conditions.

Outcome

With the new ACV installed and properly configured, the municipality was finally able to achieve the pressure regulation the site had been designed for. The valve now maintains the required downstream pressure while allowing the tank-filling operation to function efficiently, eliminating the need for the damaging workaround that had previously been used. By removing the source of excessive cavitation and turbulence, the system can operate more reliably while reducing wear on critical infrastructure components. The addition of ArmorTek coating also helps protect the valve from corrosion-related issues, supporting longer service life and reducing the risk of performance degradation caused by mineral buildup and harsh water conditions.