Pinch valves are a type of valve that can be used to control the flow of liquids, gases or power. They are easy to install and require little maintenance. They are also cost-effective and are often a preferred choice for use in many industrial applications.
How does a pinch valve work?
Pinch valves work by combining a tube and a flexible sleeve that can be squeezed to close the valve. The sleeve is the main working element and can be made from corrosion-resistant materials like rubber or PTFE.
There are a number of different types of pinch valves available to meet the needs of each application. They range from basic screw-operated devices that simply pinch one side of the tube to mechanical mechanisms that squeeze the tube with air or hydraulic pressure.
The pinch valve body is made from an elastomeric material, such as rubber, plastic or polyamide blends. This material offers many advantages including low weight, high wear resistance and a long life span.
For sanitary and washdown applications, the valve body may be fabricated from stainless steel or a stainless steel alloy. This is particularly helpful in corrosive environments or where a media must be kept sterile.
Pinch valves can be manually operated, or they can be electronically (solenoid) or pneumatically (air) operated. They can be fitted with limit switches or position sensors for monitoring/flow control needs.
When choosing a pinch valve, consider the tubing ID and durometer. The valve body and stem should be lightweight to ensure easy handling. The valve sleeve should be made from food quality rubber or NBR (nitrile) to prevent contamination of the process fluid.
The sleeve material should have good abrasion resistance to avoid damage to the pipe or tubing. Natural rubber, NBR, EPDM or silicon are common choices.
These pinch valves are suited for many industries, including medical and bio-pharmaceutical, cement, waste management, chemical, petroleum, pulp, paper, and water treatment applications. They are also used for non-contacting applications in which the tube and sleeve do not come into contact with the media.
They are a popular solution for controlling and shutting off the flow of abrasive, fibrous and corrosive media. They are also used for regulating the flow of gaseous and powdered materials. They are suitable for a wide range of applications and have found widespread use in the oil and gas industry. They are also used for abrasive and fibrous media in the mining and mineral processing sectors, as well as for abrasive and fibrous materials in the bulk and solid handling industries. They are also a common part of pipelines that transport granular, abrasive and fibrous materials. They are also widely used for cleaning and moving media in wastewater treatment applications. They are also a common component of pipelines in the food and beverage sector.