Importance

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Abstract

A valve system that affords up stream isolation and recirculation of fluid flowing along a flow path, while simultaneously enabling a purge process to be performed is provided. The valve system allows recirculating fluid flow on a supply side thereof, while enabling componentry on a load side thereof to undergo maintenance, for maintaining the temperature and flow rate of supply side fluid. Upon completion of maintenance, setup or initialization time is reduced, since the supply fluid is continuously recirculating. Fluid flow rate and temperature are constant on the supply side, for reducing wear on temperature control devices. The supply side is preferably mechanically isolated from load side componentry during maintenance for eliminating contamination of critical components on the supply side, so that the system is suited for use with process equipment. The valve system includes a switch for switching the system from a normal position where fluid flows through the system, to a bypass position to isolate the load side from the supply side. In the bypass position, the supply fluid flow is recirculated, so that maintenance may be performed on load side componentry. Fluid in the load side may be discharged through drain means in the system. The switch preferably includes a purge activation control for controlling the purge process. The purge control admits a purge media into the load side under pressure for purging unwanted matter from the load side componentry.

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First Claim