Van der Ende Group introduces the Envalve VK22 Smart, a new generation of motor-driven butterfly valves with independent control. As an expansion of the existing Envalve line, this innovation addresses the growing need for greater precision, flexibility, and control within water and dosing processes in greenhouse horticulture.
Smarter control, more flexible installation
The Envalve VK22 Smart is the first butterfly valve on the market to offer simplified and highly accurate control characteristics thanks to its Smart control system. This enables growers to control the EC value of the irrigation water with much greater precision.
What makes this development unique is that the butterfly valves are no longer mechanically linked but are controlled electronically in a fully independent manner. This allows installers to position the valves freely, providing greater design freedom and flexibility in the installation. The smart PCB, the “brain” of the system, connects both actuators and can be easily linked to any climate computer. The PCB offers extensive configuration options, including operating times, various control modes, valve position feedback, and multiple control signals (3-point, 0-10V, and 4-20mA). One of the available control options is 200% control, which allows the full Kv value of the valve combination to be utilized.
With the VK22 Smart, we have fundamentally redesigned a standard component, the butterfly valve. Growers can now control water quality much more precisely, while installers benefit from greater freedom in design and installation. That makes this innovation small in size but big in impact.
Joey van Leeuwen
Product & Business Development Manager at Van der Ende Group
Part of the updated Envalve line
At the same time, the existing butterfly valves within the Envalve line have been equipped with new actuators, further improving performance and reliability.
The product line now consists of:
- VK11: for shutting off and regulating a single fluid flow
- VK21: double butterfly valve with mechanical coupling for standard mixing applications
- VK22: double butterfly valve with independent control for maximum control
In addition, Van der Ende Group is introducing the Basic, Digital, and Smart functionality levels, allowing the desired control level to be selected for each application, ranging from simple on-off applications to highly precise process control.
Future-proof solution
With the updated Envalve line, Van der Ende Group offers a future-proof solution for applications where precise control, flexibility, and reliability are key. The combination of modular design and smart control makes the product line suitable for both standard and advanced control processes.