Pinch valves are non-contacting valves used to process sludge, slurries, abrasives, and other abrasive materials in many industries. An external device is known as a “pinch valve” can be used to close a flexible tube with a diameter similar to that of the pipe to control flow in a piping system. These Proportional flow valves can be operated mechanically or pneumatically (manual).
Pinch Valve Design:
Assemblies of pinch valves typically include an actuation mechanism, flexible pinching sleeves, and external pipe elements. They are appropriate for operations in which direct contact with the process media is undesirable, as there is no seal or packing between the actuator and the valve closing sleeve. Pinch valves can be controlled and shut down. Due to its size, heavy-duty pinch valve pneumatic often includes two bars that pull together to squeeze the flexible sleeve flat against the valve center and therefore prevent any fluid movement.
Pneumatic cylinders and handwheels are the most prevalent actuation mechanisms. For bigger, less frequently used valves, a single bar can be utilized to compress the sleeve just from one side. The cylinder can alternatively be collapsed using air pressure applied directly to the sleeve, removing the need for a cylinder in smaller versions. Shell-and-tube valves are simple to make and are becoming more common because they just move the sleeve.
Applications of Pinch Valve:
When employing pneumatic or vacuum conveyors to move dry powders or materials, pinch valves are advised. These valves control the discharge of the hopper. It is possible to use pinch valve pneumatic for applications that might otherwise clog other valves. Due to the valve’s elasticity, deposits can be slaked off when the valve is operated. Due to its resistance to clogging, pinch valves are widely considered to be better suited for handling a wide range of materials.
Proportional pneumatic valves are used in medical and biopharmaceutical applications to control the flow of tubes. For example, pneumatic or solenoid-driven pinch mechanisms may be used in conjunction with a flexible tube. Pinch valves pneumatic is frequently referred to as clamp-on pinch valves because of the way they straddle tubing. Changing the valves from one product to another does not necessitate cleaning them first. As a result of its resistance to setting and capacity to tolerate repeated flexing, silicone tubing is widely utilized for clamp-on valves. It is possible to make these tiny pinch valves with tubing that is part of the valve itself, as well. Pinch valves can be utilized in non-contact applications such as food processing, medical manufacturing, and sewage treatment.
Advantages:
Corrosive compounds, such as acids and bases, are transported through pipelines that use these seals. Electric proportional control valves are widely used in laboratories and the pharmaceutical industry, and they may be placed without interrupting production. In comparison to other valve types, valve bodies have fewer material alternatives due to their non-contact design. Metals such as stainless steel, aluminum, and polyamide mixes are the most commonly used for the bodies.
Future fluid-contact sleeve material options will be more varied. It is possible to achieve a more linear control curve using pinch valves for control applications by using conical sleeves. In order to provide feedback to the control loop, pinch valve pneumatic can be fitted with switches or sensors. Valve pinches. Examples of this include the Hall effect, mechanical snap action, and optical devices.
Considerations:
Electric proportional valves are easier to size than other types of valves because they have no flow resistance in the open position. Pinch valves can be specified to fail open or close automatically. In order to assist specifiers in finding the right pinch valve, some manufacturers offer selection programs. pinch valve pneumatic are frequently considered as an alternative to the diaphragm and seal gland-free applications.
Typical specifications include valve types, actuation methods, pressure classes, flange requirements, and body and sleeve material criteria. It is possible to fit standard pipe diameters and flange dimensions into a wide range of sizing options.
Conclusion:
However, proportional valve solenoids have a few downsides, such as their high resistance to wear. As a general rule, the maximum pressure and temperature allowed are both 300 psi and 200°F. The same limitations apply to every elastomeric valve. As a proportional valve solenoid closes, the amount of force necessary to do so grows with the diameter of the line, which limits its usefulness.