A leading global supplier of speciality chemicals are using Pinch Valves from AKO within their innovative additives applications. The additives optimize product properties and production and application processes all over the world.
The areas of application of this company include the coatings, inks, plastics and oil/gas industries, the manufacture of care products, the manufacture of adhesives and sealants, and construction chemistry.
The specific media passing through the Pinch Valves of this particular application in operation by the additive manufacturer is acid activated clay particles, with conveyed air. The temperature of the media is between 40-60°C, and it is being transported through the pipelines and Pinch Valves at 3 Barg.
Various VF type Pinch Valves are installed around this site, with each being held in the normally closed position. There is an automatic change over on conveying routes.
Fulacolor is the name given to one of the aggressive slurries used within this application. It is an acid leached phyllosilicate with an exceptional reactivity and fineness to produce reactive and adsorbent paper coatings. Fulacolor is a particularly arduous duty due to the abrasivity of the clay and the sulphuric acid content in the slurry phase.
VF model, air operated, aluminium body, aluminium flanges PN10/16 with mild steel bushings, natural rubber sleeve.
Since the application is particularly abrasive, it was important that an abrasion resistant rubber sleeve material was selected for the duty of this application.
Natural Rubber is one of AKO’s most anti-abrasive materials. rated up to 80°C and reinforced with a 2-fold fabric. Natural Rubber has a strong durability and excellent elasticity, ensuring a prolonged lifetime of the valve for acid activated additives overall.
The company told AKO that they are satisfied with the Pinch Valves currently installed and in operation at this site. When the maintenance engineer on site spoke to us at AKO, he told us that the AKO Pinch Valves for acid activated additives were already on the plant when he took over, and the company have been continuing to use AKO products in excess of 10 years.
There is more than one application using AKO Pinch Valves on this plant, so it is difficult for the engineer to confirm how many replacement sleeves have been booked out for each valve. But within two years the company have ordered 7 replacement/spare natural rubber sleeves for numerous Pinch Valves.
Most applications are fitted with a solenoid and a fast acting vent valve.
