Valve replaces a plug valve in a metal starch application.
Jim Shirley was in a bit of a bind in more ways than one.
As General Manager of Aqua Sol, a manufacturer of metal starches for the textiles dyes industry in Pineville, NC, Mr. Shirley was having difficulties in production with his Plug Valves.
The material, as it goes through the process, is pasty and gooey in consistency, which is tough on most valves but as it dries it turns to a solid mass, making it a very difficult application. The Plug Valves in Aqua Sol process could not open and close under this demanding process.
“The valves would bind, which would require the operator to take them out of service 3 to 4 times a day for cleaning.” Mr. Shirley said, “ The operator would have to remove 4 bolts, clean out the valve and put it back into service. This cost us a couple of hours a day in lost production.”
Aqua Sol’s owner, Dan Bennett, suggested that Mr. Shirley contact Gemco Valve to see if they had a solution. Mr. Bennett was familiar with Gemco Valve through previous work experiences and knew the Spherical Disc Valve to be exceptional performer in severe environments.
Mr. Shirley contacted Jim Lenihan, President of Gemco Valve to discuss Aqua Sol’s application. Gemco spherical disc design has a proven track record in applications where the material tends to set up and jam. It wasdetermined that the valve that suited the application best was Gemco Valve’s TLD model because of its versatility.
Common installations of the TLD Valve include inlet/outlet valves on rotating or stationary blenders and Intermediate Bulk Containers. It is available in a range of cast and weldable alloys including 316 stainless steel and Hastelloy. The sanitary version of the TLD Valve has full interior and exterior polishes. ANSI and DIN drilling patterns are offered in addition to the Gemco standard pattern. The valve is offered for dust tight, full vacuum and low-pressure (1 bar) services.
Gemco Valve custom engineered and retrofitted a stock 8″ TLD with an additional actuator to provide the necessary torque to operate the valve under Aqua Sol’s demanding environment. The valve disc is 316 stainless steel polished to a # 7 mirror finish to help prevent the material from sticking to the disc.
Gemco Valve offered Aqua Sol a two-month rental of this custom valve to check for feasibility in the application. If the valve did not perform AquaSol could return the valve. If it did perform, Gemco Valve offered favorable terms for the purchase of the valve.
The unit was put in service January of 2004 and remains in service at Aqua Sol without the lost production that they had experienced with the Plug Valve.
