Clog-free valves and their areas of application:

Clog-free valves are used in many areas of industry because not every material transported through industrial pipeline systems can be regulated or shut off without the risk of causing a clog.
When a product flow is shut off due to the narrowing of conventional valves (like butterfly, diaphragm or angle seat valves), many solids are prone to clogging or bridging. Especially the area directly on the valve is very susceptible here since the contact surface with the pipeline system and its components is largest there. If you rely on the wrong valve, the pipeline may become clogged, which can only be remedied through a manual intervention into the system.
Special, clog-free valves are designed in such a way that it is nigh impossible for the transported medium to fuse indissolubly with the valve or to become jammed in the valve. Any clogging occurring dissolves if an automatic valve designed for a clog-free transport is used, resulting in a product flow without obstruction.

Examples of areas of application and media:

For regulating or shutting off materials that lead to bridging
For stopping or metering materials that are prone to getting jammed due to their form or structure
For suspensions that are prone to encrustation in case of long valve closing times
For high-viscosity liquids that are prone to build-up on the valve

Clog-free valve (animation)

Thanks to their unique construction, clog-free valves are not subject to bridging, encrustation and build-up of the transported medium.

Function of clog-free valves

Clog-free valves guarantee that possible clogging of a closed valve during opening or controlling dissolves from the valve automatically and without residue and can therefore continue to be transported without a problem. A typical, clog-free valve, for example, is an air-operated pinch valve. In this case of this kind of valve, an internal rubber tube – also called a sleeve – is closed by compressed air or fluid. The special construction of the rubber sleeve guarantees that the closing procedure then leads to a labiate closing pattern, thereby guaranteeing a completely seal-tight shut-off. In addition, a differential pressure of two bar above the operating pressure generally ensures a reliable and lasting shut-off of the product flow.

Especially in the case of all kinds of solids and suspensions that are stopped with longer closing times, it is important to use clog-free valves. In the vicinity of the valve, encrustation or build-up on the sleeve may increasingly occur (see Fig. 1).
In the subsequent opening procedure, it becomes clear why pinch valves in particular are the best choice for use as clog-free valves. To open the valve, the compressed air is released and the previously closed sleeve begins to open. In the process, it returns to its starting position again, naturally reducing its surface in the process. Due to the change in the surface, tension arises between the rubber of the sleeve and the built-up transported material. This tension loosens the encrustation on the valve and the medium continues to be transported as usual.

Do clog-free valves meet the requirements of your application?

An e-mail describing your system and transported medium is all the AKO Sales and Support team needs to inform you about the possible designs for your system – free and non-binding! To the contact form

Clog-free valve - closed position — Fig.1: The problematic area in conventional valves - not so in the case of a clog-free valve

The advantages of the clog-free valves from AKO Armaturen

The clog-free valves from AKO Armaturen offer you a large variety of advantages in comparison with conventional control and shut-off valves.

1. The smooth surface of the inside of the sleeve prevents the build-up of deposits

The sleeves of the clog-free valves have a particularly smooth surface in the core (i.e., the inner part of a machine that comes into contact with the product) which provide no points at which build-ups or friction can occur when the valve is open. The crevice-free design of the entire valve also prevents the transported medium from depositing in the hollow spaces outside of the product flow.

2. Dissolution of possible encrustation due to surface changes

An increase (see Fig. 2) or reduction (see Fig. 3) in the surface of the sleeve during the opening and closing of the valve. The connected build-up of tension between the core and the encrusted medium and the resulting dissolving of possible deposits.

3. Extensive modular system

Clog-free valves from AKO Armatures are available in many design variants and can be configured to your individual requirements in regard to the system and transported medium due to an intuitive modular system.
From the selection of the housing and connection materials to the elastomer quality of the sleeve coming into contact with the product and the connection types, the valve can be assembled freely according to your desires.

4. Simple maintenance and economic use

In the air-operated pinch valve design, clog-free valves are easy to maintain and provide planning security in regard to the life time of the valve used in your industrial system. The valve can be removed from the pipeline system within just a few minutes, maintained and then reinstalled again.
In addition, the internal rubber sleeve can be exchanged completely and independently by your own maintenance team – entirely without special tools. The costs and downtime are therefore reduced to a minimum.

clog-free valve and a closing sleeve — Fig. 2: Surface expansion when a clog-free valve is closed

clog-free valve and an opening sleeve — Fig. 3: Surface reduction when a clog-free valve is opened

Clog-free valves are low-maintenance and economical

Regardless of the design and configuration, clog-free valves are very low-maintenance valves since they have a very long life time. Only the internal sleeve must be exchanged in case of excessive wear. In the process, the maintenance cycles vary depending on the sleeve material used and transported medium. If maintenance is due, the rubber sleeve can be exchanged without long downtimes of the plant by the customer’s own employees. Exchange sleeves are available for every nominal size and design without long delivery times. AKO can provide you with video instructions for exchanging the sleeves of clog-free valves here.

Enquire about your clog-free valve – free of cost and non-binding.

Are you interested in a solution with clog-free valves?

Or do you currently even have problems with valves that are prone to clog in your plant? Contact us and our team of consultants will help you configure the ideal clog-free valve design for your requirements. Thanks to our long company history and the continuous further development of the available valve designs AKO Armaturen & Separationstechnik GmbH has become the market leader in air-operated and mechanical valves. The high quantity of clog-free valves and sleeves available ex works enable a fast handling of your order.

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Further information on clog-free valves (pinch valves)

Technical information on clog-free valves (pinch valves)

FAQ on clog-free valves (pinch valves)

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