Pinch valves are used in industries where fluid control is needed. But it is important to choose the right pinch valve for your application. Some of the factors you need to consider when choosing one are the system requirements, conditions you are operating the pinch valve in and the type of fluid in question.
You need to understand
The requirements of your application to get in-depth knowledge about the features of the pinch valve you are looking for. Think about the fluid you are dealing with. Is it a slurry or is it abrasive? If you are dealing with slurry,there are Ventomat slurry valves that you can look into. Some fluids are corrosive. Also, the temperature of the fluid along with the flow rate has to be considered. The purpose of the valve can also vary when it comes to the application. For example, you may need a valve for throttling or one to control the flow between on and off. By having a good idea of the unique requirements of your application, you can start to narrow down on the design and materials for the pinch valve. The critical component in a pinch valve is its sleeve and this will pinch and release in order to control fluid flow. And you need to choose the material of the sleeve carefully so that it is compatible with the fluids that you are handling.
There are different rubber compounds for the sleeve and they also come with different properties.
They will vary when it comes to temperature tolerance, chemical and wear resistance. You need to choose a sleeve material that can handle the properties of the fluid without sustaining damage. There are also different sizes of pinch valves depending on the flow rates. You need to choose a size that corresponds with the required flow rate for the application. However, you need to make sure that there is some flexibility when it comes to the flow rate. If the valve is too small for the task, there will be a lot of wear and tear. And the application can experience a drop in efficiency. However, if you choose a valve that is too big, you will not be able to achieve precise control that you are hoping to have over the fluid.
Check the operating pressure for the system
And whether the pinch valve can withstand maximum pressure that is exerted by the fluid. It should be able to resist this without sustaining damage. When looking for pinch valves, you can check their pressure rating to ensure that its properties align with the requirements of the application. In situations where this is not the case, you will see failure in the system or leaks. You can find pinch valves with different connection types such as clamp style, flanged, threaded etc. You need to check which connection type matches the existing piping system or the requirements of the installation. By ensuring compatibility, you can easily install the valve.
