Pneumatic Float Valves

How Pneumatic Float Valves Work

Pneumatic float valves from O’Keefe Controls Co. consist of a buoyancy-style level sensor and a pneumatic output valve separated by the solid wall of the units pressure vessel. This packless design provides a float on one end of an arm and a magnet on the other. This arm is on the wet side of the sensor housing and is exposed to the liquid being sensed. As the float rises with the rising liquid level the magnet drops on the other end of the pivoted arm. As the float falls with a falling liquid level, it pivots the magnet upward. A magnetically actuated sensor on the outside of the solid metal housing reacts to the inner magnet movement. The movement shifts a 3-way air valve.

Benefits of Pneumatic Float Valves

Our pneumatic float valves feature rugged stainless-steel floats and wetted bodies for long-lasting performance. Other features include:

These pneumatic float valves can be utilized in level sensing applications with liquid temperatures up to 180 degrees Fahrenheit and liquid pressures up to 200 PSIG. Their non-electric output valve can handle pressures from 30-85 PSIG and ambient temperatures up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Often employed in applications located in hazardous atmospheres, our pneumatic float valves provide liquid level monitoring and control. They have been used successfully in industrial applications such as:

O’Keefe Controls’ Pneumatic Float Valves Product Offerings

Our pneumatic float valves are available in several variations with accessory options to provide customized solutions for your liquid level application.

Pneumatic Float Valves — Horizontal & Vertical Mounting

Our magnetic float valves detect liquid levels inside closed or vented vessels. We offer four models:

• OKC-1536-2: This side-mounted pneumatic float valve features a normally closed output (normally non-passing). Normally closed pneumatic float valves provide a pneumatic output on liquid level rise.
• OKC-1570-2: This top-mounted pneumatic float valve features a normally closed output (normally non-passing). Normally closed pneumatic float valves provide a pneumatic output on liquid level rise.
• OKC-2250-2: This side-mounted pneumatic float valve features a normally open output (normally passing). Normally open pneumatic float valves provide a pneumatic output on liquid level fall.
• OKC-2271-2: This top-mounted pneumatic float valve features a normally open output (normally passing). Normally open pneumatic float valves provide a pneumatic output on liquid level fall.

Pneumatic Float Valves — Level Indicators and Controls

Indicator panels display either high or low liquid levels, while controls provide a pneumatic output to control liquid level between two points. Our offering of pneumatic float valve level indicators and controls include:

Indicator Panels

• OKC-2289 High Level Indicator: This panel indicates if a high liquid level condition exists when used in conjunction with our normally closed pneumatic float valves. It is an all pneumatic device. It is for indication purposes only.
• OKC-2290 Low Level Indicator: This panel indicates if a low liquid level condition exists when used in conjunction with our normally open pneumatic float valves. It is an all pneumatic device. It is for indication purposes only.

Control Panels

• OKC-2291 Wide Band Level Control “Pump Up”: This panel provides a pneumatic signal to control a fill valve or air operated pump to maintain a liquid level between two sensing points. It uses a normally closed float valve (OKC-1536-2 or OKC-1570-2) to detect the high liquid level point and a normally open float valve (OKC-2250-2) to detect the low liquid level point. The pneumatic output is active when the liquid level falls below the low level sensor. A local indicator provides status of the output pneumatic signal.
• OKC-3171 Wide Band Level Control “Pump Down”: This panel provides a pneumatic signal to control a drain valve or air operated pump to maintain a liquid level between two sensing points. It uses a normally closed float valve (OKC-1536-2 or OKC-1570-2) to detect the high liquid level point and a normally open float valve (OKC-2250-2) to detect the low liquid level point. The pneumatic output is active when the liquid level exceeds the high level sensor. A local indicator provides status of the output pneumatic signal.
• OKC-2292 Narrow Band Level Control: This panel controls a liquid level within the deadband of a single pneumatic float valve. It can be configured for pump-up or pump-down control when used in conjunction with a normally closed pneumatic float valve (pump down) or a normally open pneumatic float valve (pump up). The dead-band of the pneumatic float valve is approximately ¼” – ½”.

Pneumatic float valves connect to indicators and control panels. For your convenience, O’Keefe Controls offers a variety of fittings, tubing, and connectors to do this.