Valve selection

[pumped]

I'm looking to replace a few 6" pinch valves (one manual and one automated). The material being conveyed is nickel chips (approx. 17-25mm in diameter and approx. 3-5mm thick, density of 8.9g/cc @ 300K). The rubber internals are wearing out (gravity feed piping system @ 40 degrees off of a 80T storage bin) and we need to replace them with metal. I was looking at a full port ball valve for the manual and either a knife gate/plug valve for the auto. I'd appreciate any and all comments on the suitability of these valves in this type of service. Thanks.

TP

 

[Ashereng]

You may wish to move this posting to

Valve engineering Forum
(9485 members)
forum408

 

[pumped]

K. Moved it to valve forum. Thanks.

TP

 

[Cockroach]

Go through the valve history, you are trying to replace a pinch designed valve, heavy slurry environment.

So Butterfly is out, then Ball, Globe, Check, Gate. You have an option with Knife Gate, but risk slurry chips getting wedged between Seat and Gate. This is failure to close which would make your line dysfunctional.

I think you're back to a Pinch style valve, simple elimination of other design possibilities.

Kenneth J Hueston, PEng
Principal
Sturni-Hueston Engineering Inc
Edmonton, Alberta Canada