Pinch valves are designed for the control of flow in various types of materials, including liquids, gases, and vapors. These valves are able to withstand extreme temperature variations and stresses, making them suitable for demanding applications. AKO is a world leader in pinch valves, with a range of valves to suit a wide range of applications. It also offers a wide range of hygienic pinch valves to handle food applications.
Applications
Pinch valves are used in various industrial sectors for a variety of purposes. Typically, they are used in applications where service pressures are low. However, they can also withstand higher pressures and temperatures. Some common applications of pinch valves include the chemical process industry. Here are some of these industrial applications.
Pinch valves are typically made of rubber. This material has good abrasion resistance. It is also corrosion-resistant. Depending on the media to be filtered, a pinch valve may be made of natural rubber, butyl rubber, or EPDM. It may also be made of aluminum, plastic, or Viton. Pinch valves are very versatile and can control the flow of almost any fluid or gas.
Design
Pinch valves are used in a variety of processes, including water treatment and sewage treatment. Their unique design makes them ideal for controlling the flow of corrosive or abrasive media. They feature a liner to keep all moving parts outside of the go to the website flow stream. They are also very effective at trapping large particulates without causing a leak.
One of the most important factors when choosing a pinch valve is the materials used. Pinch valves can be either internal or external. External pinch valves usually use one material for the wetted section, while internal pinch valves typically feature more than one material. Internal pinch valves are harder to adjust and require special tubing connectors.
Selection
When selecting pinch valves, a few factors are important to consider. One of the most important considerations is the type of media being handled. There are various types of media, including liquids and gases. Some of these media are highly corrosive, so choosing a pinch valve that will be able to handle such a media is critical.
For instance, the Chester Water Authority needs a valve that can handle lime. Lime is a common substance used in the municipal water industry, but it can be difficult to handle within process piping systems. Therefore, a pinch valve’s sleeve must be carefully chosen to prevent leakage and minimize damage to other equipment. The material should be abrasion-resistant and durable.
Operation
In a pinch valve, the pressure at the pinch head changes depending on the closed position. In order to study the effect of the valve closing position, the pressure at the pinch point was measured before and after the valve closed. When the valve was 85% closed, the pressure decreased slightly. The pressure change is more linear from 85% to 100% than when it is 75% closed. This is due to the additional force created by the biasing component 88.
Operation of pinch valves may be proportionally controlled or a purely manual process. The proportional control allows the valve to be controlled to the application specific path of opening and closing. Alternatively, the valve may have a pre-set or tuned program that is configured to control its operation.