Pinch Valves are better suited for use with slurry because the sleeve is able to seal around the grit component without clogging. After a review of available Pinch Valves, the Plast-O-Matic Series HSA was selected for a municipal wastewater treatment system for its relatively longer cycle life, ease of sleeve replacement, and corrosion resistant 100% plastic construction.
The municipal wastewater treatment system used Actuated Ball Valves to feed slurry into its filtration cells, but after a short time the Ball Valves would clog and bind due to the thick slurry. The Ball Valves were replaced with Air Operated Diaphragm Valves, but the results were the same. This is when they decided to use the air operated pinch valves from Plast-O-Matic.
Prior to wastewater being released into the system, the HSA Air Operated Pinch Valve is used to introduce the slurry mix into each filtration cell. Once the cells are filled, the Pinch Valves are closed and the wastewater is released onto the system where the water is filtered and purified. Use of a Pinch Valve permits the system to run for a long period of time without any concern of clogging or having a valve that will not open or close.
Image credit: Plast-O-Matic Valves, Inc.