Processing waste is a time consuming, but important part of the modern marine industry. Making this work as efficient and logistically friendly as possible is a big factor for the company. Pinch Valves from AKO UK have proven to be vital parts of this sewage system.
The food waste effluent is around 25’C, and is fed through the valve via gravity on one side, and vacuum on the other (amount of vacuum varies). The valve is positioned on the drain line and is normally closed. The valve performs a cycle of opening/closing approximately every 8-10 minutes.
The Pinch Valve that assists with this application controls the level in the effluent tank. The equipment that the company maintains already had the Pinch Valve specified in it when they started using it, and after 3 years of use the level of satisfaction is very good.
VF model, air operated, aluminium body, aluminium flanges PN10/16 with stainless steel bushing contact parts, natural rubber sleeve.
The exact lifetime expectancy of a Pinch Valve rubber sleeve is all dependent on each individual application – Including the amount of daily cycles performed, the temperature of the media, the pressure being conveyed, the amount of pressure used to shut off the valve etc. Obviously, the more coarse or abrasive an application is, the less amount of time a sleeve should be expected to last.
However, with the rubber sleeve being the only wearable part (apart from some end connections in some very aggressive applications), the total cost of ownership is excellent since there are no additional fiddly parts to replace.
Now that the company are using food grade rubber sleeves inside the valve for food waste effluent, which opens and closes at lightening fast speeds, they have found it to last longer than non food grade within this particular application.
