Share optimized solutions, professional valve knowledge and industry news

Please enter the relevant terms or keywords you need to consult, and relevant articles will appear in the search results. If you can’t find the answer you need, please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to help. Or you can directly send an email to [email protected]

Diverter Valves in Powder Pneumatic Conveying

In this post, we will talk about the most common type of diverter valves for powder pneumatic conveying systems.
Table of Contents
    Add a header to begin generating the table of contents

    Today, we are talking about the most common type of diverter valves for powder pneumatic conveying systems. The main diverter valves are three-way ball type diverter valves and three-way plug type diverter valves, their function is to switch the flow direction of materials in pipelines. The completely sealed structure can be used in outdoor environments. THINKTANK produces various types of diverter valves for switching various materials, including 45° powder diverter valve, 60° powder diverter valve, 120° powder diverter valve, 135° diverter valve, ball type, plug type, rotating plate type, double channel type, swing gate type, and other switching valves.

    diverter valves in powder pneumatic conveying8

    What are Diverter Valves

    Diverter valves play a critical role in managing the flow of materials in various systems, especially in industries where the controlled routing of powders and granular materials is essential. These valves are the most common but very important part of the manufacturing and processing industries, because they are not only efficiently switching material flow paths without interrupting the conveying process, but also ensuring plants’ efficient, safe, and contamination-free handling of products.

    Purpose of Diverter Valves

    The primary purpose of diverter valves is to allow for the directional control of a material flow. They can shift the flow between two exits or combine two flow ports into one. In powder pneumatic conveying systems, such for chemicals, minerals, plastic or acrylic particles, or food items through pipes, these valves allow accurate delivery of these powders to various parts of the processing factory.

    Types of Diverter Valves in Powder Conveying

    This guide our engineer will focus on four specific types of diverter valves that are commonly used in powder conveying systems:

    1. Three-Way Y Type Ball Diverter Valve

    Three-way ball type diverter valve (powder three-way ball valve) is mainly composed of a valve body, an valve cover, an actuator, limit switch, solenoid valve and other accessories. The three-way ball type diverter valve is used to switch pipelines in powder conveying systems, it has completely sealed structure that suitable for outdoor environment.
    From the angle of the pipelines of the three channels, we can divide it into two types of valve body structures: 120° Y-type three-way ball valve and 135° angle three-way ball valve. The Y-type three-way ball valve has a flat flow channel and small fluid resistance, also has strong circulation capacity.

    diverter valves in powder pneumatic conveying1

    Specification

    • Nominal Diameter: DN50-DN250
    • Valve Body Material: WCB, 304, 316
    • Connection Ends: Flanged Ends, Welded Ends or Others
    • Nominal Pressure: PN1.6 to 4.0MPa, Class 150LB to Class 300LB
    • Structural Type: Y type 120 degrees, Y type 135 degrees

    Valve Trim

    • Seat Sealing PTFE: -30℃ to 180℃
    • Seat Sealing PPL: -30℃ to 250℃
    • Metal to Metal: -30℃ to 450℃
    • Seat/Ball: Surface Spray Welding, Tungsten Nitride
    • Valve Trim Material: SS304, SS316, SS316 or Others
    • Stem Material: SS304 or Others
    • Applicable Media: Powder, Water, Liquid, Gas, etc.

    Performance

    • The flow channel has 120/135 degrees switching, with flat flow channel, low resistance and strong circulation capacity
    • No media retention
    • Soft seal maximum temperature 250 degrees
    • Metal to metal maximum temperature up to 425 degrees
    • Leakage: zero leakage
    • Hysteresis: ±2.5%

    Design & Manufacturing Standard

    • Design & Manufacturing Standard: GB/T12238-2008
    • Connection Standard:JB/T 79.1-1994
    • Face to Face:GB/T12221-2005
    • Hydraulic Pressure Test and Inspection:GB/T13927-2008

    Pneumatic Actuator

    • Double Acting:Air to Open, Air to Close, Fail to Last Position
    • Air to Open(Spring-Return/Singl-Acting): air to open the valve, air failure then valve close
    • Air to Close(Spring-Return/Singl-Acting): air to close the valve, air failure then valve open
    • Option Accessories: solenoid valve, limit switch, air filter regulator, valve positioner, handwheel mechanism, and air lockup valve.

    2. Three-Way Plug Type Diverter Valve

    Three-way plug type diverter valve are special equipment used in the conveying system of solid materials (powder, granular material, powder mixture, flake material) to switch the flow direction of materials in pipelines. Three-way plug diverter valve’s channels are distributed at different angles, with one inlet and two outlet or two inlet and one outlet. The pneumatic actuator is controlled by switching the solenoid valve, so that the material can be switched to different pipes. The two positions of the valve channels are detected by the limit detection switch, which is directly installed on the pneumatic actuator. When the valve is operating normally, the valve plug rotates to one position. After the reversing command is issued, it moves to another position, and the reversing action is completed.

    diverter valves in powder pneumatic conveying5
    diverter valves in powder pneumatic conveying3

    Characteristics of THINKTANK Three-way Plug Valve

    • Suitable for switching and conveying powder and granular materials
    • The special structure can meet the customer’s requirements for material switching
    • The shell and main parts are made of compact casting, with solid structure, high strength, not easy to deform, and beautiful appearance
    • Multiple angle designs can meet the switching needs of pipelines at various angles
    • The conveying channel is smooth and clean, ensuring smooth flow of materials and preventing blockage
    • The polishing accuracy can reach 400#, which can meet the requirements of food grade and pharmaceutical grade. It is suitable for conveying food grade and pharmaceutical grade materials
    • Users can choose the appropriate installation angle according to the needs of the transportation pipeline
    • A variety of materials can be selected according to customer requirements: stainless steel (SS304, SS304L, SS316, SS316L), carbon steel, etc.
    • In situations where pressure sealing is required, a special sealing structure can be configured to fully meet the usage requirements
    • Automated control system ensures efficient operation and reliability
    • There are multiple driving modes to choose from: manual and pneumatic
    • The complete pneumatic control system can improve the level of automation and ensure efficient operation reliability

    Work Pressure

    diverter valves in powder pneumatic conveying7

    • ATM<0.1Mpa
    • 0.15~0.35Mpa
    • HP>0.35Mpa

    Working Temperature

    -20 to +200℃/≤500℃

    Pipe Angle

    • 30° 30°
    • 45° 45°
    • 60° 60°
    • Size: DN50 to 800(2” to 32”)
    • Material: SS304, SS316L,WCB
    • Flanged Ends: ANSI B 16.5 150LB, GB, HG, SH or designed by the client

    Applicable working conditions

    Gravity discharge divertering, pneumatic conveying pipeline divertering

    Applicable media

    Solid materials (powder, granular materials, powder-grain mixtures, flakes, etc.)

    3. Aluminum Swing Gate Diverter Valve

    The swing gate diverter valve is make of aluminum material, which is used for its light weight and resistance to corrosion, this type of valve is ideal for handling certain types of powders.

    Swing gate diverter valves are used in a wide variety of pneumatic conveyor applications. The valve can be used in either a positive or negative pneumatic conveyors. The aluminum swing gate diverter valves are designed with one diversion leg offset 30° from the straight through leg.

    Function of Swing Gate Diverter Valve

    The two-channel swing gate diverter valve meets the requirements of pneumatic conveying equipment to redirect powder, chips or particles from one discharge point to another, with the lowest pressure drop and high sealing efficiency.

    The swing gate diverter valve uses a swingable flap to transfer material from one pipe to another. The flap diverter valve is installed in the pneumatic conveying pipeline where materials need to be switched to different production lines.

    • Features
    • Shell material: cast aluminum alloy
    • Sealing: EPDM
    • Metal plate: 304 stainless steel
    • Operating temperature: – 20~80℃
    • Working pressure: maximum +2.0bar and -0.3bar
    • Diameter Swing Gate Option: 50mm, 65mm, 80mm, 100mm, 125mm, 150mm, 200mm

    Operation

    Pneumatic Actuator: with limit switch (used for various models to indicate switch position) and solenoid valve( power supply available 24 V AC, 110 V AC, 230 V AC, 24 V DC)

    Electric Actuator: Supply Voltage: 230/400 V AC 50/60 Hz

    Manual Operator

    Advantages of Aluminum Swing Gate Diverter Valve

    1. Steering angle is smaller, only 22.5°
    2. The steering influence is small and the pressure drop is not large.
    3. Smooth inner surface (no material accumulation points)
    4. Modular design, small number of components and easy maintenance
    5. Light weight and compact structure
    6. Quick connection of components via DIN/ANSI flange
    7. Made of food-grade certified boards, pollution-free

    THINKTANK’s powder three-way swing gate diverter valve adopts precision casting and has beautiful appearance. It can transport chemical raw materials activated carbon powder, alumina, silica, bentonite, industrial dyes and pigments, dye powder, toner powder, plastic polyethylene particles, rubber granules, cement particles, welding powder, quartz particles, etc. The powder three-way swing gate diverter valve adopts a pneumatic control system to ensure efficient operation and reliability, and can also be configured manually operating device.

    diverter valves in powder pneumatic conveying9

    Three-way Y type ball Diverter valve VS. Three-way plug Diverter valve

    The sealing performance of the three-way ball valve is better than that of the three-way plug valve. It not only ensures the sealing performance of the material in the switching direction, but also ensures that the gas is transported without too much loss to ensure that the flow rate of the transported raw materials is maximized. But its disadvantage is that the cost is relatively high, about twice as expensive as the three-way plug valve. If there are no very high requirements for the overall conveying performance, we recommend that the front and rear ends of the entire system be equipped with three-way ball valves, and three-way plug valves should be used at each stage of diversion and reversal. This can greatly reduce the entire production cost. For details, please refer to the following site layout diagram designed by THINKTANK.

    layout for powder pneumatic converting system
    layout for powder pneumatic converting system

    As mentioned above, the three-way plug valve has the characteristics of high cost performance, but it is not suitable for fine dust media. Since it has a certain leakage rate, if it is an extremely fine dust medium, there will be gas and flow problems during the reversal. Loss, so that during long-distance transportation, the transportation flow will gradually weaken. But for media particles larger than 5mm, such as plastic particles, we suggest that the three-way plug valve will be a good substitute for the three-way ball valve.

    THINKTANK is a manufacturer specializing in the production of diverter valves. If your system needs to be customized or you have questions related to it, please contact our sales representatives and we will be happy to serve you.

    Facebook
    Twitter
    LinkedIn
    Pinterest
    Print
    Picture of Will Don

    Will Don

    After earning my bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Zhejiang Normal University in 2008, l was fortunate enough to begin my career with Siemens, Fisher, and YTC, focusing on control valve accessories. Over the past dozen years, l've poured my heart and energy into understanding technology and fluid solutions for control valves.
    Now, as the marketing director for THINKTANK, a trusted branch of the Taiwan STONE valve group, I can't help butf eel proud of how far we've come. Our knowledge isn't just reaching professionals like engineer and valve distributors; it's also inspiring the next generation of automation college students.
    l genuinely hope you're enjoying our articles and finding them helpful.Your thoughts, questions, and feedback mean the world to me, so please don't hesitate to reach out to marketing[at]cncontrolvalve.com. Whether you're a seasoned expert or just curious about the field, I'm here to connect, share, and learn together.

    All Posts »

    I am the author of this article, and also the CEO and marketing director of THINKTANK, with 15 years of experience in the industrial valve industry. If you have any questions, you can contact me at any time.

    Contact Us

    Just fill out your name, email address, and a brief description of your inquiry in this form. We will contact you within 24 hours.

    The Latest News
    3 functional pressure vacuum valve

    3-Function Pressure Vacuum Valve

    The 3-Function Pressure Vacuum Valve improves on the basic functionality of an air vent head by adding a nitrogen gas preservation feature. It opens at ...
    Read More
    spring return electric actuated ball valve fail safe

    Spring Return Electric Actuator: Technical Principles, Applications and Common Valve Types

    The Spring Return Electric Actuator is a critical device for ensuring safety in high-risk environments such as tunnels, subways, marine applications, and other areas where ...
    Read More
    pilot operated breather valve

    Case Study: How to Select a Suitable Breather Valve to Handle Back Pressure

    In industrial storage tank applications, it is critical to select the right pressure and vacuum relief valves (PVRV) to ensure the safe operation of the ...
    Read More
    axial piston high pressure pump

    High Pressure Pumps Axial Piston Pumps

    In the past 5 years, we made our HPR/HPH series axial piston pumps as OEM products for a well-known brand. These pumps have been successful ...
    Read More
    breaker valve manufacturer

    VB14 and VB21 Vacuum Breaker Installation

    VB14 Vacuum Breaker Description VB14 is a small special vacuum breakers used in condensing vapour/steam or liquid systems, and it made of Brass material, and ...
    Read More
    common valve abbreviation guide

    Common Valve Abbreviation Guide

    In industrial manufacturing and instrument maintenance, you’ll see many abbreviations for valves. It’s important for engineers, maintenance people, and students to know these abbreviations because ...
    Read More
    spray & fuse coating

    Comprehensive Technical Guide on Hard Coating For Severe Service Valve

    One of the most effective ways to improve the durability and performance of valves in in severe service environments, where valves are work at extreme ...
    Read More
    dosing valve DN100 lime dosing system

    What is a Lime Dosing Valve and How Does It Work

    In the world of water treatment and chemical processing, it’s important to control lime dosing accurately. Getting the pH right and avoiding lime blockages can ...
    Read More
    concentrated solar power schematic

    Selection and Application of Molten Salt Control Valves

    In recent years, as the environmental impact of traditional energy sources such as coal and petrochemicals has become more and more of a concern, there ...
    Read More

    Contact Us

    With expertise in valves and rich experience in the oil&gas, chemical industry, textile mills, power plants, and sugar mills. THINKTANK has become the premier manufacturer of next-generation precision control valves.

    With a customer base that includes over 42 of the world’s leading engineering&contractors and international valve brands, THINKTANK Valves offers cost-effective valves that help our customers achieve automated process control without paying high prices.

    Why are more and more international valve brands choosing THINKTANK for OEM service?

    Brand is reputation, which not only requires high valve technology, but also great comercial support and fast response after-sales service and delivery time. They will not gamble their brand on an unknown product

    Get an Instant Quote

    Avoid your inquiry is delay response, please enter your WhatsApp/Wechat/Skype along with the message, so we can contact you at the very first time.

    We will reply you within 24 hours. If for urgent case, please add WhatsApp: +86 185 1656 9221, or WeChat: +86 199 2125 0077. Or call +86 189 5813 8289 directly. 

    Get An Instant Quote

    Joy Preview

    Get An Instant Quote

    We will reply you within 24 hours. If for urgent case, please add WhatsApp: +86 199 2125 0077, or WeChat: +86 199 2125 0077. Or call +86 189 5813 8289 directly. 

    Direct to Control Valve Factory With Competitive Price & Reliable Quality

    Joy Preview
    Joy Preview

    Get An Instant Quote

    Just leave your name, email, and simple message or requirements, We will contact you within 1 hour.

    WhatsApp: +86 199 2125 0077

    Skype ID: sowell85

    Wechat ID: +86 199 2125 0077