Valves for Railway Sand Dispensing Vessel

Over 30 years working with a reliable valve solution

An Original Equipment manufacturer specialising in technologies for weighing, feeding, conveying, milling & grinding, and filtration have been using AKO Pinch Valves for over 30 years, and have recently commissioned various systems involving Pinch Valves at a tram maintenance depot on a sanding system. The application is about filling sand boxes on trams, used for traction to prevent the trains skidding.

The vessel is on a verge that the train pulls up to. A flexible hose is attached to a sand dispensing gun that functions similar to a petrol pump where a trigger is released to release the contents in a steady flow. The OEM told us at AKO UK:

A closer look at the application

Media passing through the valve: Sand

Temperature of sand: Ambient

Pressure of Sand: 2 bar

Frequency of operation: Valves are normally closed, and are opened/closed 5 times a day, 180 days per year during nightshifts. They are typically only in use for six months of the year.

Number of Pinch Valves per SDV: 6 black plastic VMP Valves, and one aluminium flanged VF Valve as a vent.

Number of SDV’s on this site: 6 currently

Pinch Valve used within this application: VMP025.03XK.72

VMP model, air operated, black POM plastic body & BSP threaded ends, natural rubber sleeve.

Valve Technology on a SDV

All positioned vertically, every Pinch Valve is positioned higher up on the SDV as shown. This is due to placement with how it is positioned. It would have too high a pressure if it was positioned at the same height as the other valves so it is fed up and down through some piping to equalise the flow.

The 50mm white aluminium flanged Pinch Valve is used to de-pressurise the Sand Dispensing Vessel.

All valves are closed at the same time during operation. There are no indicators on the vessel or panel to show if the valves are open or closed, instead it is through the PLC that this is monitored on pressure switches.

The OEM will be providing Pinch Valves from AKO UK for other customers and the product forms part of their standard range for Sand Dispensing Vessels.