Emerson VAREC Series, VAREC 180, VAREC 181 Installation, Operation And Maintenance Instructions

VAREC SERIES 180/181 DOUBLE PORT REGULATOR

InstallatIon, operatIon and maIntenance InstructIons

Before installation these instructions must be read fully and understood

DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES

The contract between the seller and the buyer
states the entire obligation of the seller. The
contents of this instruction manual shall not
become part of or modify any prior or existing
agreement, commitment or relationship
between the seller and buyer. There are no
express or implied warranties set out in this
instruction manual. The only warranties that
apply are those in the existing contract between
the seller and buyer.

The Varec 180/181 Series double port
regulators have not been tested under all
possible operational conditions and Emerson
does not have all the data relative to your
application. The information in this instruction
manual is not all inclusive and does not and
cannot take into account all unique situations.
Consequently, you should review this product
literature in view of your application. If you have
any further questions, please contact Emerson
for assistance.

LIMITATIONS OF SELLER'S LIABILITY

In the event that a court holds that this
instruction manual created some new
warranties, the seller's liability shall be limited
to repair or replacement under the standard
warranty clause. In no case shall the seller's
liability exceed that stated as Limitations of
Remedy in the contract between the seller and
buyer.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Read and understand this instruction manual
before installing, operating or performing
maintenance on Varec 180/181 series double port
regulator. Follow all precautions and warnings
noted herein when installing, operating or
performing maintenance on this equipment.

Safety precaution definitions:

CAUTION

Damage to equipment may result if this
precaution is disregarded.

WARNING

Direct injury to personnel or damage to
equipment which can cause injury to personnel
may result if this precaution is not followed.

GENERAL

Varec Series 180/181 regulators are diaphragm
operated and weighted lever controlled, highly
sensitive gas control valves. The regulators
are designed for maintaining a constant
downstream pressure automatically. They are
used widely in vapor recovery systems and gas
blanketing systems to maintain a slight positive
pressure on the tanks.

Use of parts that are not manufactured or
supplied by Emerson voids any Emerson
warranty and relieves Emerson of any
obligation to service the product under
warranty. Emerson recommends the use of
only Emerson manufactured or supplied parts
to maintain or service Varec Series 180/181
double port regulators.

This document, or any part of, may not be
reproduced by any means without written
permission of Emerson.

33-11023 Rev.D

valves.emerson.com VCIOM-03189-EN 17/05

© 2017 Emerson. All Rights Reserved.

VAREC SERIES 180/181 DOUBLE PORT REGULATOR

InstallatIon, operatIon and maIntenance InstructIons

CONSTRUCTION

1. Standard materials of construction include
a cast aluminum body and galvanized steel
diaphragm housing, reinforced NBR rubber
diaphragm and 304 stainless steel plugs,
seats and other trim. Special materials such
as cast iron or cast steel valve bodies or
PTFE diaphragms are also available.

2. Connections are NPT threaded on sizes
½" through 1½". Connections are flanged,
drilled to 125 PSI ANSI requirements on
sizes 2" through 8". Aluminum or iron valve
bodies are provided with flat face flanges,
while steel bodies are provided with raised
face flanges.

INSTALLATION

Series 180/181 regulators must be installed in
an upright position in a horizontal pipeline, as
shown on the reference drawing. Flow through
the valve must be in the direction indicated by
the arrow on the valve body. The valve should
be located free of contact with any adjacent
equipment or pipelines. Connection piping
should be fitted accurately to be gas tight
without strain on the valve body or diaphragm
housing.

Unboxing and handling

Particular care should be exercised in unboxing
and handling regulators. Bending of control
mechanism, strain to diaphragm or changing
position of balance weights will result in
unsatisfactory operation.

When handling, grasp and support only by
the valve body. Do not handle by grasping the
diaphragm housing, linkage mechanism or
weight arm.

After unboxing, inspect to insure against
presence of dirt or other foreign matter. Also,
check valve seats and plugs for cleanliness and
freedom of operation.

Adjustment

Varec Series 180/181 regulators are shipped
from the factory fully assembled and preset
to operate at the customers specified setting.
Further adjustment should not be necessary.
However, if it should become necessary to
change from the factory setting, the procedure
detailed on page 3 should be followed.

It is recommended that stop valves be installed
in upstream and downstream piping and in the
control line to the regulator to permit taking
the regulator off the line for maintenance
purposes. Regulators having screwed
connections should have all pipe lines fitted
with ground joint unions located between the
stop valves and the regulator.

Control line piping should be 2” size and
should be connected to downstream piping
as far downstream as possible, preferably to
the location at which the pressure control is
desired. Minimum should never be less than
10feet from the regulator. Control piping
should be fitted accurately to be gas tight
without strain on the diaphragm housing and
should be supported firmly.

All upstream, downstream and control pipe
lines should be cleaned thoroughly prior to
installing the regulator.

2

VAREC SERIES 180/181 DOUBLE PORT REGULATOR

InstallatIon, operatIon and maIntenance InstructIons

NOTE

For identification of parts referenced, see figure below.
Connect suitable manometer or pressure gauge to
diaphragm control line.

Diaphragm housing

Spring housing

Drain

1. Minor adjustments

Shifting position of weights (items 1 and 2)
on weight arm (item 3) and position of weight
arm on pivot clamp (item 4) will satisfy minor
adjustments. The maximum minor adjustment
is attained when both weights are positioned at
the furthermost possible position on the weight
arm at the opposite side from the diaphragm
and with the arm at its furthermost position
on the pivot clamp at the opposite side from
the diaphragm. The arm must be kept free of
contact with the diaphragm housing to permit
full swing from closed to full open position
of the regulator. As the weights and arm are
shifted toward the diaphragm side of the pivot
clamp, the setting is lowered.

Control line connection
(2" NPT)

2. Major adjustments

In the event it is not possible to attain the
desired setting by the method described for
minor adjustments, it becomes necessary to
make further adjustments by means of a spring
provided for that purpose. Prior to adjusting the
spring, it is desirable to locate the weight arm
and weights in a position as shown in the figure
above to allow minor adjustment in either
direction later if necessary.

Having positioned the weights and arm,
remove cover (item 5) exposing adjustment
nut (item 6). If the desired setting is lower
than the factory setting, tighten up the spring
adjustment nut (clockwise) until the resulting
desired setting is attained. If the desired setting
is higher than the factory setting, back-off on
the spring adjustment nut. Having reached an
approximate desired setting by means of the
adjusting spring, make final close adjustment
with the weights. Replace cover.

3

VAREC SERIES 180/181 DOUBLE PORT REGULATOR

InstallatIon, operatIon and maIntenance InstructIons

OPERATION

1.

Line pressure as sensed through control
line piping is applied to one side of the
diaphragm. This pressure acts against
balance weights to open and close (regulate)
the plugs within the double ported valve body.

2. As line pressure upstream of the regulator
begins to rise above or fall below the set
point of the regulator, the valve will 'throttle'
as required to maintain this set pressure.

MAINTENANCE

Regulators require very little attention.
Periodically the cover over the linkage should
be lifted and the parts inspected for ease of
operation by observing the action when the
weight arm is moved manually. Performance of
the regulator can be checked by observing the
system pressure when in operation.

REPLACEMENT PARTS

When ordering replacement parts, specify
regulator parts by model number and pipe size.
Identify replacement parts by description and
part number where possible.

Item description ½” size 1” size 1 ½” size 2” size 3” size 4” size 6” size 8” size

Upper and lower body gasket B2194-046 B2194-046 B2194-046 B2194-046 B2244-046 B2222-046 D900-046 B11545-046
Bonnet gasket B2195-046 B2195-046 B2195-046 B2195-046 B2195-046 B2195-046 B2195-046 B2195-046
Bonnet cover gasket D3928-046 D3928-046 D3928-046 D3928-046 D3928-046 D3928-046 D3928-046 D3928-046
O-ring P14-10 P14-10 P14-10 P14-10 P14-10 P14-10 P14-10 P14-10
Diaphragm
PTFE B1527-094 B1527-094 B1527-094 B1527-094 B1527-094 B1527-094 C809-194 C809-194
NBR B1527-074 B1527-074 B1527-074 B1527-074 B1527-074 B1527-074 C809-074 C809-074
FKM B1527-087 B1527-087 B1527-087 B1527-087 B1527-087 B1527-087 C809-087 C809-087

4