Pinch valve manufacturers manufacture pneumatic, hydraulic, and electric pinch valves. These valves are used in a variety of applications such as wastewater treatment, power plants, mining, chemical processes, and other industries.
These valves are available in a wide range of styles and materials to meet different application requirements. They are suitable for both manual and automatic throttling.
They are widely used for handling abrasive, tough slurries, dry solids and corrosive fluids in process industries as well as chemical processes such as sewage treatment, lime sludge and carbon sludge handling. They are a cost effective and reliable alternative to conventional mechanical type valves which often jam due to particles.
Some of the leading pinch valve manufacturers include AKO Armaturen and Separationstechnik GmbH, Cla-Val, Emerson Electric Co., Festo, Flowrox, Penn-Troy Manufacturing, Inc., RF Valves, Inc., and WAMGROUP S.p.A.
The most common pinch valves feature a molded sleeve made of rubber or other synthetic material. The sleeve acts as the pinching mechanism and is also reinforced with fabric to reduce vibration in the line.
These sleeves can be made of natural or synthetic rubbers such as EPDM, NBR, GRS, Neoprene, butyl, buna-N, PTFE, and FDA as well as plastics. The sleeve material must have good abrasion resistance and be lightweight so that it is easy to handle and install.
The sleeve also needs to be able to handle the pressure difference between opening and closing as well as be able to withstand the application’s minimum and maximum temperatures. These factors are important in ensuring that the pinch valve will open and close properly.
Other considerations for pinch valves include the size of the sleeve and the type of actuation. The sleeve should be sized to fit the application’s tube and not too large or too small. The sleeve should also be designed to prevent the pinching mechanism from bending or extending too far.
In addition to these factors, the sleeve should be made of a material that is resistant to high temperature applications as well. This is necessary because these pinch valves are frequently used in hot water and steam systems.
AKO’s sleeve material is manufactured from a heavy duty, highly resistant reinforced rubber that is designed to last a long time in harsh conditions without developing a memory and allowing the pinch mechanism to no longer open the sleeve fully.
Many sanitary-grade pinch valves are also made of stainless steel to provide a corrosion-resistant finish. This makes them ideal for the pharmaceutical and food industry where hygiene and safety is a top priority.
The pinch mechanism is located inside of the sleeve and is pressed inward against the liner wall to open and close the sleeve. This creates a gentle turn in the media which minimizes turbulence and line vibration.
These pinch valves are used in a range of industries including waste management, power plants, mining and oil and gas. They are used to control, meter, and regulate the flow of abrasive, tough, or corrosive liquids.