A global chemical manufacturing company have replaced a ball valve with a Pinch Valve within their ferric sulphate manufacturing process, and are much happier with the results. Being a leader in sustainable chemical solutions for water-intensive industries, it is important for the company to be using reliable equipment within their systems.
Valve for Magnetite Slurry
The media passing through the Pinch Valve is a magnetite slurry, which is ambient in temperature. Performing approximately 10 cycles on average per 24 hours, the valve is opened using compressed air.
The normally closed valve is positioned at the bottom of a conical tank. When the end user went to install the valve, they queried whether they could install it in a vertical pipe, and wanted to know if the flow direction was important. We at AKO UK assured the end user that the valve can be installed in any position, any way around, and works in the same way whichever position it is installed in.
Air pressure is used to open the valve and when the air is taken off, the valve closes in the fail safe position. When open, the Normally Closed Pinch Valve allows full unobstructed flow.
After 6 years of good service, the valve began to leak. The maintenance supervisor on site ordered a new valve and also a spare replacement sleeve.
Ball Valves Vs. Pinch Valves
The chemical manufacturing company had previously used ball valves for this application, but due to the abrasiveness of the magnetite (iron ore), the ball valves did not last long before they had to rebuild them, and they would block up if left idle for too long.
In comparison, the Pinch Valve has now been in operation for a successful 6 years with no issues, until a replacement was required.
Pinch Valve used within this application: OV150.03.30.PA2
OV model, air operated, fail safe (normally closed), aluminium body, aluminium flanges PN10/16, natural rubber sleeve.
Pinch Valve for Magnetite Slurry Satisfaction
When we asked the maintenance supervisor at this chemical manufacturing site about his overall satisfaction with the Pinch Valve for magnetite slurry, he replied with:
“The Pinch Valve has a trouble-free function. It has been great, with zero issues in 6 years. There is a big advantage of not having any issues with the valve.”