Extensive applications for PFA lined Butterfly Valves

Published: 8th November 2019 | Issue 51

GEMU 490 in sludge recycling process

GEMÜ 497 - Manual operated valve

GEMU 490 butterfly valves in the supply line

moulded PFA or TFMTM body liners. These linings are achieved using the latest plastic injection moulding machines to form a precise lining locked to the valve body.

This is particularly useful where corrosive liquids and vapours are being handled such as effluent, sludge or corrosive chemicals and is integral to the valve’s corrosion resistance.

The thermoplastic liners are also chemically inert, essential where high purity media is handled, for example in pharmaceutical and semiconductor high purity water applications. The applications for the GEMÜ 490 series are extensive.

GEMÜ in Wastewater Treatment Plant
In a successful corrosive media handling application, a wastewater treatment plant using incineration to convert sludge into energy opted for the GEMÜ 490 to be employed in the sludge drying step, assuring the safety and reliability of the sludge conversion processes.

In the case of plant faults causing the system to reach very high temperatures in excess of 100°C, the valves will also not be damaged as the PTFE liners are sufficiently resistant to very high operating temperatures up to 200°C.

Valves used in the sludge drying processes not only need to withstand high operating temperatures. The body and seal materials must also be highly resistant to the substances contained in the media vapour. Depending on the chemical composition of the sludge, the impurities in the vapour may vary and exhibit a range of corrosive properties.

A motorized actuated Butterfly Valve with fail safe function is installed near the dryer for optimum safety, as in the event of a power failure, this butterfly valve opens automatically. In such a case, steam pressure build-up due to residual heat will be released, avoiding damage to equipment and pipelines.

As a result of employing the GEMÜ 490 in the sludge recycling process, the plant had optimized the vapour condensation and is now able to process higher quantities of sludge. This optimizes both the safety of the system in the event of faults and the recovery of the heat. It has also allowed the plant to achieve their aim of minimizing unpleasant smells.

Butterfly Valves in a Hot Sterilised Water System
The GEMÜ 490 lined Butterfly Valves are also suitable for API pharmaceuticals applications. The sterilisation of liquids plays a large role in pharmaceutical and biotechnological production.

This is just as important in research and development and in the production of sterile goods as it is in handling parenteral solutions for hospital pharmacies.

The hot water sterilisation system enables liquids in closed receptacles made of glass or other temperature resistant materials (such as ampoules) to be sterilised quickly, reliably and gently. The advantage of the hot water sterilisation system lies in its very short cycle times, which are achieved through a high circulation rate and flow density in combination with short heating up and cooling down times.

Process
The chamber containing the item to be sterilised is filled to a pre-defined level (below the item being sterilised) with deionized sterile water.

This water then circulates through a steam-heated heat exchanger and is poured over the item being sterilised at a continuously rising temperature.

This enables the item to be heated up in a quick and gentle way. In the subsequent cooling phase, the sterilised water flows through the now water-cooled heat exchanger and cools the item being sterilised down to a specific temperature.

Pneumatically actuated GEMÜ 554 globe valves control the filling of the sterilisation chamber with water and the way in which the heat exchanger is heated by steam and cooled using water.

By contrast, GEMÜ 490 butterfly valves are used in the circulation line, as these have significantly more compact installation dimensions yet very high flow rates in comparison with pneumatically operated angle seat globe valves of the same nominal diameter.

Furthermore, to meet these stringent requirements, they are fitted with highly resistant TFMTM and FDA-approved silicone as a sealing material. ‘The GEMÜ 490 lined Butterfly Valves are also suitable for API pharmaceuticals applications’

Tel: 01925 824044
Email: sales@gemu.co.uk
Web: www.gemu.co.uk

Gemu Valves Ltd