N
&FEED MILLING TECHNOLOGY
4 | September - October 2014
GRAIN
Three Common Mistakes Made When Purchasing Slide Gates & Diverter Valves For Milling and Grain Handling
T
o avoid mistakes that are often made during the buying process, many factors need to be considered when purchasing slide gates and diverter valves. Those mistakes can lead to wasted material, atmospheric leakage, hazardous working conditions, increased maintenance and excessive downtime.
Selecting the Right Valves for Milling and Grain Handling
Selecting the right valve is critical to the success of any milling and grain handling system. Misapplied, or poorly designed valves add unexpected costs and inefficiencies in your process. With so many variations of products ranging from coarse grains to fine flour, be sure to work with a company with an experienced sales staff and engineering staff to identify the best solution for your milling and gr ain h andling applications. Because the characteristics of milling and grain are different, there is no such thing as an offt h e - s h e l f so l u t i o n . U nd e r s t a nd i n g t h e material's abrasiveness, corrosiveness, particle size, temperature sensitivity and stickiness are just a small sampling of the f actors you should examine before selecting a slide gate or diverter valve. With so many co nvey i n g s y s t e m s
in use, modifications to a standard valve will frequently be necessar y to ensure optimal performance. These conveying system variables can include higher operating temperatures, regular washdown requirements, square-toround transitions and material contact options. Sometimes a custom-engineered slide gate or diverter valve is the best option for a particular application because of existing footprints, unique material characteristics and pre-existing conveying problems. Overall, the supplier should be focused on applying the right
valve based on your needs. Communication between the customer and the supplier is important to identify any p o t e n t i a l p ro b l e m s w i t h the application and valve being supplied. If this is done correctly, you will get a valve solution that will out-perform and outlast your expectations.
loads, replaceable liners and detachable access panels for cleaning and inspection. Having these features available to perform maintenance while the valve remains in service is the key. This alone can save a company thousands of dollars by drastically reducing their conveying system’s downtime.
Buying a Slide Gate or Diverter Valve Strictly on Price
Inadequate Customer Support
Purchasing a slide gate or diverter valve solely based on price only provides a shortterm solution. For example, many maintenance managers, purchasing agents, plant operators and engineers will try to use a butterfly valve or bull nose knife gate in their dry material handling applications. These are excellent solutions for liquids and gasses, but were not meant for handling dry materials like milling and grain. The reason they are used so often is because of their price. They are more of a commodity and can be produced for less cost than a valve designed for dry materials. The short-term solution of a commodity valve often turns into a longterm and expensive problem. The money saved up-front quickly disappears because of added costs associated with wasted material, extensive downtime, atmospheric leakage, additional maintenance cycles, conveying inefficiencies and inaccurate weighing. The best solution is buying a valve that is designed for your application parameters w i t h m a i n t e n a n ce friendly features that will extend the valve’s ser vice life . These features include, but are not limited to; replaceable seals, removable shims, adjustable compression
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While finding the right valve for your milling and grain application is critical, equally important is the support you get from your supplier after the sale. Selecting a slide gate or diverter valve supplier with a history of successful customer support and experience will directly benefit the efficiency and cost of your conveying system. When considering potential suppliers , look for some simple success indicators like corporate history, regional rep or agent networks, global service centres and an actual voice when you call their phone number. Get some references of satisfied clients with needs similar to yours. Ask if the supplier’s quality management system is I SO 9 0 01:20 0 8 certified. This international standard ensures they are committed to quality service and customer satisfaction. Also find out what kind of replacement parts they have available if your equipment malfunctions. Finding replacement parts from the local fabrication shop that built your slide gate will not be a cost savings adventure. Having an inventory of spare parts that can be shipped at a moment's notice can be the difference between a £1,000 mistake and a £100,000 problem. Avoiding these three common mistakes will protect your conveying system from suffering deficiencies due to the wrong slide gate or diverter valve. The best valves are the ones you install, and completely forget about. www.vortexvalves.com