Specifying a slide-gate valve for tough applications
This article explains how to choose a slide-gate valve that will open and close reliably when handling fine particles, working under pressure or vacuum in a pneumatic conveying system, or handling other challenging applications.
One of the most effective ways to close a flow path in a material handling line is to use a slide-gate valve (also known as a knife-gate valve, shutoff gate, or sliding-gate valve). The typical slide-gate valve body has a center opening the same diameter as the material handling line and a blade (or gate) that, when actuated, slides across the opening to block the material flow. When you're in the market for a slide-gate valve, you need to work closely with the supplier's trained engineering staff to ensure that the valve you choose is right for your application. This is especially true when the valve must handle a fine material, operate under pressure or vacuum in a pneumatic conveying line, close on a head of material, or handle another tough application.