Challenge:  The valves must be capable of sealing fine powder.

Features:

• Oversized, double-acting air cylinder actuator. Air cylinder is equipped with a magnetic piston, to be used with magnetic reed switches for gate position indication.
• Diverter body constructed from aluminum.
• Blade, inlet/outlet weldments & material contact areas constructed from 304 stainless steel.
• PET pressure plates are backed with compressed natural rubber load seals. The standard nylon pressure plates were replaced with PET to prevent polymer swelling from environmental moisture in the outdoor application. Otherwise, blade actuation issues may occur.
• Blade is electropolished for outdoor installation.

Results:

In the client's railcar unloading operation, railcars are pneumatically pressurized using a positive displacement blower. This allows the kaolin clay powder to convey into one of two storage silos. Previously, a manual switching operation was required to route material to another silo.

In addition to improving their process efficiency, the client also desired the flexibility to route materials to alternate locations within the facility. Specifically, the ability to convey from the railcar unloading system into either storage silo, as well as directly into day bins – located inside the plant.

Kaolin clay is a common application for Vortex Wye Line Diverters. The diverter valves have been installed for several years and have required virtually no maintenance. The valves not only increased efficiency, but allowed the client to accommodate expansion by simply adding additional diverter valves.

Currently, the client is considering replacing butterfly valves in the unloading line with Two-Way Straight Vortex Wye Line Diverters. Because butterfly valves contain a rotating disc which is directly exposed to the material flow stream – whereas the Wye Line Diverter features a sliding blade with a full bore, unobstructed orifice – the decision to replace would eliminate line obstructions, therefore improving unloading rates.

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