CONTROL VALVES
The sliding gate valve Type 8621 with flanged connection in use on the steam line at U . S . Vanadium . The overall length corresponds to that of a globe valve of the same nominal size .
Sliding gate valves : improved process control , easy implementation , greater efficiency
This is due to the basic physical principle on which the valves are designed : two slotted discs that slide over each other and seal against each other . The actuator only has to overcome the sliding friction between the two discs over a valve stroke of just 6 to 9 mm . The required actuating force is up to 90 percent lower than with other valve designs , which is why it is possible to use significantly smaller actuators . Despite the same overall length , sliding gate valves type 8621 are therefore much more compact in design and are easier to handle than comparable globe valves . “ This smaller actuator is also beneficial in terms of energy cost . The shorter stroke and reduced force needed to shut-off or control the valve results in less air needed to actuate the valve ”, explains Davis . “ We installed this valve in a steam line that is used to heat a 50,000-gallon tank of slurry [ approximately 190,000 litres ] where we leach vanadium . This is a continuous process with 100-140 gallons [ about 400 to
550 litres ] per minute of cold slurry going in , and the same amount going out . The leach slurry in the tank is maintained at 95 ° C during this process .” After a short time , it was already clear that the replacement of the previously installed globe valves with a sliding gate valve had a beneficial effect on the process and could significantly improve the efficiency of the manufacture of extremely pure vanadium oxides . “ The new valve has given us tighter control of heat energy into the process , which allows us to match heat energy required for incoming cold slurry , and therefore reduces temperature oscillations ”, says Davis .
Good prospects for the energy change
The upgrade to Schubert & Salzer sliding gate valves is making a significant contribution to the ongoing effort to increase the efficiency of the manufacturing process and to lower operating costs still further . A new plant for manufacturing the electrolytes for the vanadium redox flow batteries has now gone into operation directly next to the improved vanadium oxide production plant . U . S . Vanadium can therefore now cover the entire supply chain for ultra-pure vanadium electrolytes .
About the companies Schubert & Salzer Control Systems develops , produces and distributes highly precise industrial control and stop valves which are applied in process engineering . The valves are used in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry as well as for the production and processing of food and beverages , and also for the manufacture of plastics , steel , paper and glass , as well as in the textile industry .
U . S . Vanadium LLC produces and sells a range of specialty vanadium chemicals , including what it claims is the highestpurity Vanadium Pentoxide (“ V205 ”) in the world . The company is comprised of global leaders and investors in the specialty chemicals and strategic materials sectors , including in the mining , processing , purification and sales and distribution of vanadium specialty chemicals .
50 Valve World November 2024 www . valve-world . net