Sluice Gate Materials of Construction

[tawabiaf]

What is the best materials of construction shall I specify for sluice gates to be installed in wastewater treatment plant, Cast Iron or fabricated 316 Stainless Steel.

 

[ashtree]

Either if well constructed will give satisfactory service. You also need to consider the sliding and seal face material.
Various nylon compounds are often used now.

Regards
Ashtree
"Any water can be made potable if you filter it through enough money"

 

[RSD90]

Usually the Material Of Construction (MOC) for used for Sluice Gates in wastewater treatment plant are as follows:

1. Untreated Wastewater - SS 316 (MOC)
2. Primary Clarified Wastewater - Cast Iron (MOC)
3. Treated Wastewater - Cast Iron (MOC)
4. Sludge Streams - SS 316 (MOC)

In addition to the above also consider the seating arrangement and seals which again varies with respect to the material stream.

Sarvesh Rahate
Water & Wastewater Engineer

 

[gerhardl]

It will never be wrong to use the best: 316SS.

 

[QualityTime]

It is not the gate material that is the issue. It is the sealing material. Rubber seals, nylon seals etc do not last. I prefer cast iron gates with metal seats. They will last forever and seal forever. Nothing to maintain or replace. That is what municipalities want. No ifs ands or buts. You get what you pay for

 

[gerhardl]

Hi tawabiaf,

Above variations in answers might seem contradictive, but please note:

Both metal constuction materials and sealing materials might vary depending on wastewaters chemical composition and temperature.

Variabels might also be source/input, mixture with wastewater from streets and other sources, envionment (arctic or tropical. Technical will be size, pressure, art of operation (hand or motor), electrical, pneumatic, oil or water hydraulics. Obviously there is no single best answer, and the variations in response indicates this.

In my experience from Scandinavia, following have been used:

Gatevakves DN50 to DN1500, pressure PN10, from around DN300 usually limited to PN4 or lower, with SS or cast steel housing, gates 316 or 304 special alloys, fully open throughlet, no hidden pockets, rubber sealings with nylon or similar for sliding, DN50 to DN1200. all possible operating devices, for pipeline or open waterways with rounded bottom. Higher pressures: on demand.

For rectangular gates, same material solutions. Sizes usually from 200x200mm up to (say) 2000 x 4000mm. (Larger would tend to be special units). Pressures on demand, usually limited for surface down to 5m (0,5 bar) but can be constructed on demand for higher dams. Pressure will influence sliding properties and construction.

Note: Slides and time of operation is essential. Long time for opening and closing opens for gearing down and for instance smaller el. actuators. Hand operation might have unpractical long operation time with larger gates. Large gates might require parallell,tandem operation. Constructions with slides pressing gate to frame last few centimeters will require larger force for opening.

Nylon sliding guides (or similar and high grade plastics) sliding will under Scandinavian conditions give no problems, if construction is protected against abrasion. SS316, special stainless alloys and care in material choice if sea or brackish water or chemical composition requier will give lasting constructions.


Good luck!

 

[bimr]

Without knowing anything about the water quality, go with 316 Stainless Steel.