FAQ's
General FAQ's:
Product FAQ's:
1. Who is VoV Enterprises Inc.?
VoV Enterprises, Inc. is an innovator in Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) using SCADA operated flow control. We manufacture the VoV and VoSmart (V-Smart) Valves, hydraulically operated flow control valves designed to eliminate the entrainment of air with operations using injection or ASR wells.
2. What are the benefits of using your valves?
Elimination of Cascading Water: At startup and during recharge, the valve is set in the closed position allowing the drop pipe to fill with water. The air in the pipe is evacuated through an air-vacuum valve at the well head ensuring the elimination of cascading water. Elimination of Air Entrainment: Air entrainment in recharge or injection wells leads to air fouling of the formation, increased bio-fouling and calcite formation along with the costs of well rehabilitation. The correct operation of this valve effectively eliminates air entrainment. Near Linear Flow Control: The recharge rate may be set using a manual or electric hydraulic control valve with local and/or SCADA control. Flow may be adjusted using a null loop, a dead band, a magnetic flow meter and the dynamic water level along with a PLC to control the water flow through the "D" ports for near linear control. Shock Reduction: The V-Smart Valve is designed to smoothly start a recharge well, adjust the flow linearly, place the water into the formation gently under laminar conditions.
3. Where do you do business?
Throughout the world, VoV
Enterprises Inc. helps contractors and water districts find technology
solutions to water management issues either domestically or internationally.
In addition to our unmatched experience and size, VoV Enterprises Inc. offers
one of the most open, flexible solutions in the industry and exceptional
technical support throughout the installation process.
4. When did your business start?
1993. VoV Enterprises, Inc., is incorporated in Nevada and California, specializing
in valves for flow control and down hole flow control for dedicated recharge
wells, salt water barrier wells, water banking wells, plus aquifer storage and
recovery (ASR) wells. Research and development was started in 1993 with a
prototype installed in November 1993. During testing and analysis the
patenting process was instituted and subsequently completed in April 1996. VoV
(Variable Orifice Valve) Enterprises, Inc. has focused product development on
hydraulically-operated flow control valves designed to eliminate the
entrainment of air in injection or ASR wells. Presently the valves are covered
by U.S. Patent #5,503,363, #5,618,022, #5,871,200, #6,073,906 and #6,338,466,
Canada Patent #2,293,391
with 23 International Patents Pending.
5. Why do companies use this service?
To
economically and cheaply store a valuable resource, Water (Water Banking).
Nearly every water district faces the daily dilemma of water management and
perishable water inventory. Water production facilities may run below
capacity. Ground water is one of the Nations most important natural resources.
It is the principal source of drinking water for about 50 percent of the
United States population, providing approximately 96 percent of the water used
for rural domestic supplies and 40 percent of the water used for public
supplies. In addition, more than 30 percent of the water used for agricultural
purposes is withdrawn from wells. Ground water also is a significant, but
often unrecognized, component of the Nations surface-water resources. Much of
the flow in streams and the water in lakes and wetlands is sustained by the
discharge of ground water, particularly during periods of dry weather.
6. How can I contact your business?
To contact VoV Enterprises Inc. directly call 714-638-1774 between the business hours of 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday PST.
7. Are the materials of construction compatible with aggressive water chemistry?
Yes. The materials used in the valves metals are 316L stainless steel, 304L stainless steel or Nitronics 60,
Titanium, Delrin AF and polyurethane seals. The valves are manufactured domestically.
1. Yes. Keep the hose fittings closed except when connecting fittings or bleeding air from the hydraulic fluid. 2. Maintain a positive slope from the valve to the power unit during the time of bleeding air from the system. This enables the bubbles to return to the power unit reservoir.
3. At each column pipe coupling (20
feet) install a stainless steel strap around the pipe and hoses.
4. A seal must be provided between the hoses and the well plate. We recommend a strain relief fitting.
Installation instructions are provided with each valve.
Yes. Air entrainment can promote
Air Fouling and Bio-fouling (providing additional oxygen). Calcite formation
from water falling in the drop pipe is another side effect that is promoted by air entrainment. This condition slowly closes the openings in the well screen as well as reducing the permeability of the aquifer.
Yes in some cases, and to some degree by a stripping action provided during pumping the well. The process in not totally reversible. In general these effects tend to be accumulative with repeated start up cycles with reduced permeability for each starting cycle.
Yes the Drilling Contractor normally installs the Valves, Hoses, Hydraulic Components and Power Units.
On site supervision is available on a time and materials basis. This is a
separate line item along with Field testing and start-up.
12. When was the first installation of your valve? The first valve was installed in the fall of 1993.
13. How can I get application assistance?
Call (714) 638-1774 or Email
(gwallace@vovvalve.com) VoV Enterprises, Inc. Glenn Wallace
A good starting point is the pumping rate or estimated pumping rate of the
well times 1.5. And final rate from the injection rate established during injection testing. A number of considerations are taken into effect and we size the valve based on
drop pipe size, well casing size and injection rate required. We ask for information
listed on our Project Data Sheet. This data is used to provide you with a flow curve for
your specific well based on this information. A final curve will be provided
when injection testing is complete.
The VoV and V-Smart Valves are started in a closed position. This allows the air in the drop pipe to be evacuated or released through an air/vacuum valve at the well head. This starts the system with a full pipe. Then the valve can be modulated open slowly starting the recharge operation smoothly and gradually. The recharge rate may be adjusted to a desired rate or modified at any time to meet optimum conditions. The result, NO AIR ENTRAINMENT.
Air in the form of fine bubbles is carried into the aquifer and binds to the sand/gravel particles. This forms a condition called air fouling. Air fouling slowly reduces the permeability of the aquifer, effectively closing off the ability to recharge water.
A pilot operated locking feature of the solenoid valve automatically hydraulically locks the position of the valve in position. The hydraulic fluid remains locked until the solenoid valve is operated or shifted to an open or closing position.
The secondary feature on the V-Smart valve is the static seal pressure between
the seals and the fixed section of the valve. When the valve movement stops
this friction locks the valve in position. It requires hydraulic pressure to
overcome this friction to move the valve to a new setting.
The solenoid valve is a 3 position 4 way valve operated by a manually controlled pendant switch or SCADA control link through a PLC. The
VoV and VoSmart Valves are adjusted hydraulically through high-pressure hoses
by an electrically driven power unit.
Every time the valve is removed from the well, but no longer than 5 -10 years.
We have installations that control the flow within 5 GPM at 550 GPM flow rate
without surging. On repeatability this falls within the dead band zone established by the SCADA unit. Should the flow rate move beyond the dead band zone due to surges or other system changes the valve will automatically adjust and return to its set position.
21. In a saturated zone recharge well, at what level should the valve be set?
We recommend that the valve be set at least 20-30 feet below the static water level.No. While the pump is rated for continuous duty, we recommend the power unit be shut down if flow adjustments intervals are over 15
- 30 minutes.
The angles of the V-Smart orifices are designed to direct the cavitation away
from the valve surfaces should cavitation occur.
The VoV Valve is normally 8-10 weeks ARO. The VoSmart Valve is normally 12 -14 weeks,
depending on shop work load. Flow characteristics of these units is near linear. Specific curves are provided for each application.
VoV
offers installation and startup on a time and material basis. Travel time is an additional cost and may be required depending on the location and specific requirements. Separate
line items are listed and are provided as desired.
Air entrainment in a recharge well is the same effect as seen in a water fall. In starting a well this condition occurs in the drop pipe and continues until the pipe is full.
1. The power unit is powered up.
2. The adjustment is made to the flow rate either manually or by the SCADA unit.
3. The power unit is powered down. With the SCADA unit this operational sequence is automatic.
Two fluids are available.
1. Food Grade Mineral Oil which we recommend and supply with the valve and
power unit. Our standard fluid as used with vertical turbine
pumps.
2. A biodegradable
vegetable oil
No problem. It is safe in potable water applications.
With velocities in the drop pipe
below 20 feet per second we see velocities in the range of 60 to 140 feet per second through the orifice. The velocity is in direct relationship to the dynamic head, pressure at the well head and the size of the orifice. This information is included on a site specific basis with the Flow Graphs provided for each valve.
31. Why can't I just use a control valve above the well or at the well head to control the recharge rate?
You cannot eliminate the air entrainment by placing a control valve at the
well head. When the valve is opened you will have cascading water or a
waterfall and the associated problems of air entrainment.
This follows recommendations of several contractors for ease of installation, plus the ability to salvage the hose should the valve or pump need to be removed. We have found this to be a valuable and prudent recommendation due to the ease in handling the hoses verses the stainless steel tubing. We recommend a hose with a working pressure rating of 10,000 PSI,
this virtually eliminates any problems with volumetric expansion. The inner hose is nylon tube with an intermediate layers of high strength steel wire braid and a elastomer cover. During installation we purge the hoses and valve of all air and conduct a functional test before going down hole with the valve. The hoses may be disconnected and capped to maintain a full condition. Connecting the hoses then is a straight forward process and air in the system is non-existing or minimal at startup.
We do use SS tubing for runs from the well head to the control unit that are
placed in 3/4" conduit lines.
© Copyright 2000-2002 VoV Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved.
U.S. Patents #5,503,363, #5,618,022, #5,871,200,
#6,073,906 and
#6,338,466,
Canada Patent #2,293,391,
Australian #748767
Plus 23 International Patents Pending.
