|
|
(2009) The last of 50 totally-enclosed hydraulically operated
pinch valves delivered to Anglo Platinum's Amandebult mine, Northwest Province,
for tailings flow control have been commissioned. The valves, supplied by local
manufacturer Atval, are installed at the tailings handling pump station and at
Tailings Dam Three, part of the mine's ongoing expansion programme. All valves
are 350mm nominal bore models from Atval's heavy duty KE-Series, developed
specifically for high-pressure, high-abrasion duty. At the pump station, they
are controlled by a hydraulic power pack that receives command signals from a
programmable logic controller.
Around the slimes dam, where the valves are at a considerable distance from an
electrical source, they are operated by a manual hand-pump mounted either
directly on the valve or on a plinth attached to the pipework. According to
Atval managing director Ted Atkins, Atval has over time deliberately and
successfully adapted its valves to match the changing requirements of tailings
disposal. He said that, in recent years, this process had displayed a tendency
towards tailings dams of greater height and smaller area, as well as a move
towards thicker, more abrasive slurries. The result of this was a significant
increase in the operating pressures that the valves were expected to withstand,
Atkins explained.
"Pressures today are sometimes up to four times the operating pressures
generally expected just five to ten years ago," Atkins said. "We test the Atval
KE-series to withstand pressures 150% higher than the operating pressure, so
that this product is one of very few valves on the market that can deliver the
twin benefits of high pressure performance when closed, and unrestricted flow
when open," he said.
Atval KE-Series valves are characterised
by a simple yet versatile full-bore, full-flow design that accepts all forms of
powered, automated and remote actuators without costly modifications. This,
together with a design that manages very high working pressures of up to
8000kPa, makes the range ideal for tailings dam duty. An easily replaced,
moulded reinforced elastomer sleeve ensures smooth flow and longevity even when
used with highly abrasive flow media. Sleeve flanges are metal reinforced to
ensure rigid and leak proof connection to pipe flanges, while internal sleeve
slots ensure bi-directional drop-tight closure over the entire pressure range.
Manufacture is to ISO 9001/2000 quality standard, with each sleeve subjected to
rigorous quality checks and an individual test prior to despatch. A test
certificate accompanies each completed sleeve. Besides slurry applications in
mining, KE-Series pinch valves are widely used in power generation, sewage
treatment, and chemical and other aggressive industrial applications where
abrasion resistance is needed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Media Enquiries |
|
G. Sellars |
|
Intamarket Communication and Marketing Solutions |
|
Toll Free: 0800 110 679 |
|
E-mail: greg@intacom.co.za |
|
|
|
|
|
NEED MORE INFO ON OUR PRODUCT RANGE? Please complete the form below and our
sales team will contact you. |
|
|
|
|
|