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Throttle valve with ceramic design

Optimized service life for the toughest operating conditions

Industrial aluminum oxide production places extreme demands on the components used. Industrial valves in particular are exposed to high abrasive and corrosive loads, which can lead to faster wear and more frequent replacement. An inefficient choice of materials and designs for industrial valves such as throttle valves not only has a negative impact on plant availability, but also causes considerable costs and operational interruptions.

How can the service life of the throttle valves used be significantly increased and the requirements of this demanding medium be met? The answer lies in innovative solutions such as the GEFA throttle butterfly valve with ceramic lining, which has been specially developed for the toughest conditions.

Throttle valve with ceramic design

The challenge of aluminum extraction

Optimized service life for the toughest operating conditionsAluminium oxide extraction is a technically demanding process. Typical operating conditions include:

  • Medium: Aluminum hydroxide mixture with 17 % sodium hydroxide solution (NaOH)
  • Solids content: 600 g/L
  • Temperature: +70 °C
  • Volume flow: 600-800 m³/h
  • Control position of the valve: 25-55°

These conditions are characterized by a high proportion of solids, the chemical aggressiveness of the caustic soda solution and a large number of abrasive particles. Conventional butterfly valves show severe signs of wear after a short time, particularly on the body and the valve disk, which severely impairs their functionality and service life.

    The GEFA solution - throttle valve with ceramic design

    To overcome these challenges, GEFA has developed a throttle valve with a design that enables a significant improvement in service life. The core of this further development is the use of high-performance ceramics (Al₂O₃ > 99.7 %) in the body lining.

    Construction and materials

    • Body lining: High-performance ceramic Al₂O₃ (> 99.7 %) for extreme wear resistance
    • Disc and stem: Made from ledeburitic 12 % chrome steel, secondary hardened to approx. 55 HRC for maximum robustness
    • Actuator system: Pneumatic quarter-turn actuator (double-acting), electropneumatic positioner with 4-20 mA input signal

    These material and design components were specifically selected to efficiently meet the specific requirements of aluminum oxide extraction.

    Throttle valve KGT

    Technical advantages of the ceramic lining

    Increased wear resistance

    The high-performance ceramic is extremely resistant to abrasive particles in the medium. While the body of throttle valves without ceramic inserts is subject to significant wear, the ceramic lining offers virtually wear-free performance, even when used intensively.

    Optimization of the flow profile

    The control position of the throttle valve has been designed in such a way that abrasive material is directed away from the body. This minimizes the load on the entire system.

    Longer service life

    Thanks to the combination of materials, the service life of the throttle valve has already been increased many times over during use. Initial practical tests have shown an operating time of at least 3500 hours without impairing the functionality of the body or the disk.

    Economic efficiency

    The extended operating time not only leads to a reduction in the frequency of replacement, but also lowers operating costs in the long term. Fewer maintenance intervals also mean higher system availability.

    Conclusion - The innovative leap in service life optimization

    The introduction of the GEFA throttle valve with ceramic lining impressively demonstrates how innovative material selection and targeted design changes can withstand even the toughest operating conditions. The combination of high wear resistance, extended service life and optimized functionality makes this product an ideal solution for demanding industrial applications.

    For engineers and operators of modern systems, this not only means a sustainable increase in efficiency, but also a considerable economic advantage.

    Are you interested in further information or possible applications? Contact the GEFA team to find out more about the advantages of the ceramic thruttle valves. Together we will find the right solution for your specific requirements.

    Throttle valve KGT

    More product information can be found here:

    Throttle valve KGT

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