Low blocking valves of the pinch-close type comprise of a very simple design that offers high reliability in a wide range of applications across many industries.
The flexible tube embedded inside the housing of the valve enables it to achieve the pinching mechanism, which helps in controlling the flow of media mechanically or through external pressure.
Low blocking valves are known for their high versatility, full bore design, and low maintenance, and are preferred over other types of valves, such as butterfly, gate, ball, and several others.
Low Blocking Valves in Operation
The main working element of these low clogging valves is an elastomeric sleeve or tube, also known as a clamp valve, which is squeezed in the middle section through mechanical force or fluid pressure to obstruct the flow path of the media. The full closure of the flow path is achieved when the tube or sleeve walls are fully pinched together.
These valves can be used for on and off function, as well as throttling, which refers to the partial closure of flow path to achieve a specific flow rate and pressure.
The maximum operating pressure that has been found ideal for pinch valves for a longer service life is between 3 and 40 Bar. The effective range of throttling is mosty between 95 percent and 10 percent of the flow capacity of the system.
The optimal flow control is achieved at 50 percent of the stroke. This is because resilience of the liner and the smooth walls do not experience a considerable pressure drop until the half stroke point.
The pinching mechanism of a low blocking pinch valve can easily be operated through a screw mechanism, where the tube is squeezed from only one side. It can also be operated through differential screw controlling where two pinching mechanisms are working simultaneously in vertical opposition.
For further information including case studies & references, and application details, please visit low blocking valves.
