A chemical manufacturing company have been using an AKO Pinch Valve within their free flowing solids application for one and a half years. They were previously using slide valves (also known as knife gate valves), which were not sealing very well. The company needed a better seal, which is why they switched to AKO Pinch Valves.
The free flow solids within this application, including metal powder, are travelling through the pinch valve at gravity flow, with 5 BAR being used to shut off the rubber sleeve. The pinch valve is held in the normally closed position, and carries out 6 cycles per day.
This application is at potential risk of explosive gas or air mixtures in the atmosphere, and so the pinch valve needed to comply with EX regulations for EX Zone 1.