Kemutec Powder Technologies is a world leader in the manufacture and supply of powder process machinery, and has extensive knowledge of flow control valves through its MUCON brand. MUCON product specialist Gerry Wetton has more than 40 years of experience with the company, and here he addresses some important factors that end users should consider when selecting a valve.
How do I know whether I need a flow control valve for my application?
If you can answer yes to any of the following questions, you could well benefit from using a flow control valve in your process:
Do you have slide valves that leak, jam or are stiff to operate?
Do your butterfly valves cause bridging?
Are you a flexible IBC user with no adequate means of regulating the rate of flow, or closing a partially used FIBC?
Are large particles in your process getting trapped during closure, and still not preventing the flow of smaller particles and dust?
Is dust a problem when transferring product from containers to processes?
Does your process require replaceable contact parts to prevent cross contamination between batches?
Is your current valve damaging fragile products?
What should I take into account when choosing a valve?
Choosing a valve is very much dependent on the application that it is being used for i.e. the material characteristics, and the conditions in which the valve is to be installed. Some factors that will affect the choice of valve and diaphragm material are:
Material bulk density
Temperature conditions
Chemical resistance of the product
Pressure and vacuum
Cheaper is not necessarily better for end users. Kemutec has been called to customer sites in the past to replace cheaper copies of the MUCON Iris Diaphragm Valve (IDV) because of problems, mainly to do with the wrong valve having been sold for the application.
Can I fit the valve myself?
Yes you can. MUCON hand-operated Iris Diaphragm Valves are safe and easy to handle, and valves are supplied with comprehensive installation and diaphragm fitting instructions. However, Kemutec does advise that an experienced electrician should install electrically operated valves.
How can I extend the life of my valve?
As with any piece of process equipment, regular maintenance and servicing is the easiest way to extend the life of a valve. Depending on the application and frequency of operation, regular maintenance of your valve can make them last decades. Kemutec has recently taken an order for a replacement diaphragm from a customer in Germany. The original valve was bought back in 1969, a testament to the durability of MUCON IDVs.
Why choose a MUCON valve?
A proven track record with more than 60 years of product quality and reliability
The largest range of valves and diaphragm materials on the market
Customer support from an experienced team with extensive process knowledge
Whatever the duty, whatever the product, MUCON has a valve to suit your application in a range of sizes and diaphragm materials. Iris Diaphragm Valves are the ideal choice for any filling, weighing or bagging off application. They are also suited to specialist applications such as a sealing gland on cooling baths for extruded pipe or cable, fish transportation tanks, a restrictor in a canning line, or for the centering of pipes in a welding jig.
