Proportioner

A proportioner simply meters the amount of water, surfactant (soap), and chemical (sodium hypochlorite) that can be drawn by the pump. You adjust the proportioner to change the ratio between each chemical for the specific use case on various cleaning projects. A proportioner can be broken down into five major components; the intake connectors, check valves, ball valves, blending manifolds, and output connectors. 

The intake connectors are simply how the proportioner is connected to the hoses that lead to the water or chemical tanks. In most cases, these connectors will be simple plastic or metal barbs. In other cases, they can be cam and groove connection locks.

Next are the check valves. These components allow water or chemical to flow only one way. Check valves are important as they prevent tanks from cross-contaminating each other if a liquid begins to back feed.

Ball valves are the component that regulates the flow of the liquid passing through the proportioner. Typically, these will be specialty components called metering ball valves, which are designed to deliver a more predictable amount of liquid passing through. Other times, they may be simple ball valves that only offer an “on/off” option.

Once the liquid passes through the ball valve, it will enter the blending manifold. This is simply the section of the proportioner in which all the water, soap, and chemicals combine.

Lastly is the output connector. This will be similar to the intake connectors, except there is typically going only to be one output connector leading directly to the pump.

Proportions can create a variable sodium hypochlorite dilution strength that ranges between  1-12% based on the position of the valves.

Want to build your own proportioner?

3 x GF Signet Metering Ball Valve, 1/2"

3 x Inline Poppet Check Valve 1/2" FPT

6 x Banjo Short Nipple, 1/2" NPT

1 x Banjo Cross, Schedule 80, 1/2" NPT Female