Knife Gate Valves and The Basics

by

AKO UK Ltd

The small word valve is one that possesses a number of connotations and meanings. For instance, a valve can play a major role in the continued operation of the human body, controlling the flow of blood in the heart chambers by the maintaining of a regulated pump action . Valves used within industry perform a similar function, from those operated manually in basic installations, to the high performing knife gate valve. The flow of gases, liquids, solids or slurries is controlled by a valve of one description and category, or another.

Valves can often be referred to in the context of pipe fittings, but generally are recognized as being in a category of their own. They are primarily used within a huge variety of applications in a number of fields; including industrial, military, commercial, transport and residential. A wide variety of valves can be found on the market, available for almost every required application from a common household facility to a sophisticated system requiring a

knife gate valve control.

There are certain industries in which the majority of valve applications are found. Among them are those related to oil and gases, generation of power, various mining applications.

Almost every form of appliance that is used on a daily basis is operated by some form of valve. Simply turning a tap, or the control on a gas cooker, washing machine or dish-washer and especially safety devices installed in hot water systems; involve the control of a valve. From the hi-tech knife gate valve, a range of valves exists that are simply innovative pieces of engineering technology. These can be manually operated by using a hand-wheel, a lever or pedal and they may be automatic, driven by pressure, temperature or the flow of a material. The controlled fluctuations in performance may be dependent on a diaphragm or a piston, which activates the valve. The more complex of control systems utilize a system of valves that are automatically controlled by the use of an external input, in which case, an Actuator will be required.

The field of valves is diverse and can be classified by type and process required to activate them; for instance, by hydraulic means, pneumatic, manual, solenoid or motorized. A knife gate valve will be effective in situations calling for an on/off control facility and with a low pressure drop. These applications may involve flowing materials such as slurries or powders and fluids that carry suspended solids. The primary parts of a valve are known as the body and bonnet and form the casing that contains the fluid being processed through the valve. The bonnet is the actual casing, which forms a guide and seal for the stem as it passes through. Associated with these parts is the stem which serves to transmit the motion from the point of control to the disc.

Irrespective of the size or nature of a valve, it has become a major influence within the world of industry. From valves costing only a few dollars, to those costing $1,000 s, they are an intrinsic part of industrial equipment. A knife gate valve is only one such example out of many.

AKO UK stock and distribute Pinch Valves and also offer similar products such as Knife Gate Valves, Pressure Relief Valves, Butterfly Valves and more. For more information please visit our website http://www.pinch-valve.com

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