General Questions

About Knife Gate Valves

What is the difference between type A, B, and C guillotine valves?

The type A gate valves are the most frequently used gate valve type. Type C is specially intended for discharging solids beneath silos/containers. Please contact our sales department for individual consultation.

What is the difference between your type A guillotine valve and a guillotine valve with sealing on two sides?

The type A guillotine valve seals at maximum operating pressure only in the direction of flow and pressure, while in turn, the guillotine valve with sealing on two sides seals at maximum operating pressure in both directions.

What are the outstanding features of the AKO type "A" guillotine valve?

The type “A” guillotine valve is designed for universal usage, both for liquids and for solid media. The gate is rounded and the valve seat acts one-sidedly.

Can I also use the type "A" guillotine valve as a silo gate valve?

Due to its diversity and efficient design, the type “A” guillotine valve can also be easily used for silo locking. Rinsing connections can be optionally added on request.

How does the AKO type "C" guillotine valve differ from the type "A" version?

The type “C” guillotine valve is primarily used in the silo area. The gate is more solidly designed and can handle heavier loading. The greater overall height ensures a significantly better flow pattern, particularly for solids, and a correspondingly lower risk of clogging. Two additional rinsing connections are standard.

Is the type "W" guillotine valve generally preferred over the type "A" gate valve in wastewater applications?

Due to its special two-sided sealing, the type “W” wastewater gate valve has a higher sealing capacity with respect to liquids. This increases the risk of clogging, however, when a high portion of solids is present and for this reason the one-sided type “A” sealing gate valve would be preferable for this application.

Where is the Type "B" guillotine valve used?

The type B guillotine valve was specially designed for the blocking of pulp in the paper industry. Its non-stop gate, however, can also be highly advantageous for other media having high consistencies.

What is the advantage of a handwheel-operated guillotine valve with a non-rising spindle as opposed to a rising spindle?

Due to the missing spindle protection tube, the guillotine valve with a non-rising spindle has a lower construction height as compared to the rising spindle design, making the operation of a guillotine valve with a non-rising spindle more ergonomic. The smaller handwheel of the guillotine valve with a non-rising spindle up to DN200 can be additionally supplemented by a ball handle, making it even more easy and fast to operate.

How can I reduce the wear on a guillotine valve used for abrasive media?

The additional installation of a “B” wear protection ring in the passage prevents wear on the gate valve housing. The rings can be replaced according to wear. Subsequence installations are not recommended due to a very high expenditure. The type “C” deflector can be used any time as a wear protection ring and can also be retrofitted.

Are the guillotine valves completely sealed against the loss of gas, compressed air or vacuum pressure?

Wafer valves in the “soft sealing” design are highly leak-tight against liquids, but not absolutely gas-tight. Minor pressure losses can therefore occur.

When do I purchase a B wear ring?

Wear ring B (stainless steel) is typically used to reduce costs due to wear because only the ring must then be replaced and not the entire housing.

What effect does the usage of a deflection cone have in connection with the guillotine valve and when do I use one?

A deflection cone protects the housing sealing against wear and provides the medium with almost no possibility of penetrating the seat of the guillotine valve housing.

What can be done to prevent the guillotine valves from clogging?

Clogging of industrial fittings is usually caused by the application. Discuss your application with our sales department and we will work with you to find a suitable solution and remedy.

Do you also have guillotine valves for operating pressures greater the 10 bar?

Yes, on request. Please ask our sales department about them.

Do you manufacture the guillotine valves yourself?

We have a collaboration for this. The gate valves are specially manufactured for us.

Must anything in particular be noted when installing large guillotine valves?

We recommend using a support for the drive (bending torque) for guillotine valves DN250> when installing them in the horizontal position.

Do you also offer the guillotine valve made completely from stainless steel?

Yes, with the exception of the drives; please contact our sales department for more information.

Are guillotine valves also available with special coatings?

Yes, special coatings can be provided at a corresponding additional charge.

Are guillotine valves available with a FAIL SAFE function? (spring to open/close)?

Yes, both spring to close and spring to open pneumatic cylinders are available for the guillotine valve types A, B, and C.

Can the guillotine valves be started up in interim positions?

Yes, they can. Any desired number of proximity initiators can be installed on the guillotine valve’s support plate for interim positions.

How high is the maximum allowable operating pressure for your guillotine valves?

The maximum operating pressure of the guillotine valve types A, B and C is 10 bar depending on the nominal width and drops as the nominal width increases. Please see our data sheets for the maximum operating pressures of the larger nominal widths.

Are the guillotine valves pressure-tight from both sides?

Yes, but the guillotine valve side opposing the flow direction is only conditionally pressure-tight. Please see the data sheets for this pressure or contact our sales team with this specific question.

Which drives are available for the guillotine valves?

Single and double acting pneumatic cylinders, electrical actuators, hydraulic cylinders and automatic drives are available.

Which guillotine valves should I use and when?

Unfortunately no general answer can be provided here since various guillotine valve designs are available depending on the application and requirement. Please contact our sales team for consultation on your specific application.

Can air pressure also be applied to the spring-loaded side of the guillotine valve (gentle motion)?

Air pressure can also be applied to the spring-loaded side of the cylinder to dampen the movement.

Does a temperature change occur from the medium to the proximity switches?

The temperature drops considerably up to the proximity switches. Precise values must be determined on site.

Accessories

Which solenoid valves are used for controlling air-operated guillotine valves?

Pneumatic gate valves with double-acting cylinders are controlled by a 5/2-way valve, and those with single-acting by a 3/2-way valve.

Starting at which guillotine valve size should I use a 1/2" solenoid valve?

We recommend using 1/2″ 5/2- or 3/2-way valves starting at guillotine valve size DN250.

Do expansion options exist for the guillotine valves? (Solenoid valve, proximity switch, pneumatic positioner, etc.)

Yes, we offer diverse components for controlling the guillotine valves such as diverse solenoid valves, proximity switches, pneumatic positioner, electrical actuators, pressure regulating valves, etc.

Fields of Application

What is the maximum thermal load which can be applied to a stainless steel guillotine valve?

We offer “metallically” sealing stainless steel guillotine valves for up to 600°C and soft sealing stainless steel guillotine valves for up to 250°C.

What is the maximum temperature at which I can use grey cast iron guillotine valves?

Generally up to 200-250°C. Depending on the usage conditions, the operating pressures additionally play a major role here.

Can your guillotine valves also be used as "end fittings"?

Guillotine valves are available which can be used without counter/loose flanges as end fittings. Please ask our sales team about the “lug-type” design.

Can the guillotine valves also be used at vacuum pressure?

Due to their design, the guillotine valves can be used only conditionally for vacuums and are only conditionally vacuum-tight. Please contact our sales team with your individual case.

Are ATEX-compliant guillotine valves available?

Yes, please specify the corresponding EX-zones.

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