Pinch Valves Manufacturer | THINKTANK

Pinch valves are optimal for isolating and regulating abrasive, corrosive, and fibrous media. Increasingly, these valves have become a valuable tool in managing substances like powders, sludges, dust, emulsions, gases, granulates, and pellets.

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Understanding the Functionality of Pinch Valves

A pinch valve is a distinctive valve type known for superior wear and corrosion resistance. It is designed to handle granular slurry or chemical media in low-pressure pipes.

The pinch valve’s sleeve can be periodically swapped out due to its excellent corrosion resistance, durability, sealing capabilities, and extended operational life, effectively reducing costs and providing significant economic benefits.

In many cases, pinch valves outlast other valve types like gate valves, ball valves, globe valves, and diaphragm valves by five to ten times.

Especially effective in acidic and corrosive settings, pinch valves are widely used in pulp, sewage, slag, cinder, and sediment operations. They offer reliable control over flow volume and pipeline shutoff mechanisms.

The Drive Mechanisms of Pinch Valves

Pinch valves are available in three different drive types:

Manual-operated pinch valves utilize a handwheel for operation.

manual pinch valves

Air-operated pinch valves use compressed air for activation.

air operated pinch valves

Electric-operated pinch valves can be powered by voltage options like 24V.DC, 220V.AC, or 380V.AC.

electric operated pinch valve

Applications of Pinch Valves

Pinch valves are ideal for transporting solid or liquid goods containing particles, powders, fibers, slurries, and other abrasive substances through pipelines. They are especially beneficial in chemical processes dealing with corrosive media.

The utility of pinch valves extends to various industries including wastewater treatment (sludge management, gravel cleaning), power plants (FGD systems, ash removal, coal transit), mining (tailings, flotation control), chemical processes (handling corrosive and abrasive media), and the pulp and food industries, among others.

Benefits and Features of Pinch Valves

Also known as squeeze valves, rubber liner valves, air sleeve valves, and more, the pinch valve’s inner sleeve withstands corrosion, wear, and pressure effectively. The valve’s performance relies heavily on the quality of the rubber sleeve, which is compressed by a pneumatic, electric, manual, or hydraulic actuator to control flow.

Key Characteristics of Pinch Valves

• Full flow path with no obstructions
• Minimal flow resistance
• No clogging
• Capable of zero leakage even with residual particles
• No dead zones in valve operation
• Low maintenance
• Robust design unaffected by external conditions

Pinch valves, or rubber sleeve valves, find extensive use in sectors such as smelting, mining, power generation, chemical, food production, and brewing.

Primary Advantages of Pinch Valves

1. Well-Engineered Design

These valves offer low flow resistance and non-blocking capabilities, with no operational gaps or dead zones. Even with particulate media, the rubber sleeve ensures zero leakage.

2. Easy Operation

Pinch valves can be locally or remotely controlled, meeting diverse operational requirements.

3. Enhanced Wear and Corrosion Resistance

Rubber sleeves are more wear-resistant than metal parts and can resist corrosion from various chemical fluids.

4. Superior Sealing Performance

No additional sealing gasket is required, ensuring no internal or external leakage.

5. Excellent Cold Resistance

The flexible tube construction prevents complications like fluid crystallization and frost cracking.

6. Simplified Installation

Bidirectional installation eliminates confusion over flow direction.

7. Quick and Easy Maintenance

The sleeve structure allows for rapid replacement and straightforward maintenance.

8. Extended Service Life

High-quality, reinforced rubber sleeves offer durable performance even with frequent use.

9. Cost Effectiveness

Quick sleeve replacement reduces operational and maintenance costs.

Manual Pinch Valve Operation

Manual pinch valves are activated by a handwheel mechanism involving horizontally positioned clamping rods.

Pneumatic Pinch Valve Operation

Pneumatic pinch valves utilize compressed air to manipulate the sleeve, which intercepts flow based on differential pressure values.

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Additional reading:
The Ultimate Guide To 3 Way Valve - Plumberstar

Why THINKTANK Pinch Valves Excel

• Free from dead zones or obstructions
• Tight sealing even with solid particles
• Lightest weight valve available
• Elliptical body reduces air consumption
• Unmatched longevity
• No mechanical components, reducing costs
• Reinforced sleeves for abrasive media
• Quick closing times
• Readily available stock
• Easy to maintain

Factors Impacting Pinch Valve Quality

Key components of a pinch valve include the body, sleeve, opening and closing mechanism, and driving device. The sleeve's quality is influenced by its material composition, rubber synthesis formula, processing technology, sleeve thickness, and the uniformity of wear-resistant and anti-corrosion layers.

Reasons for Quality Issues in Pinch Valves:

1. Low natural rubber content and high levels of regenerated rubber
2. Incorrect rubber composition
3. Manufacturing inconsistencies
4. Valve body rust and mechanism damage
5. Inconsistent power sources for actuators

Pinch valves excel in handling fluids containing solid particles or contaminants. They are highly resistant to wear and corrosion, making them suitable for complex chemical processes. Its applications span power plants, sewage treatment, mining, and chemical process control.

Manual Pinch Valve Parts

components of manual pinch valveNoPart NameNoPart NameNoPart Name1Protective Cover8Sleeve15Bolt2Retaining Ring9Lower Body16Upper Pinch Bar3Handwheel10Nut17Side Guide4Stem11Gasket18Block5Stem Nut12Bracket19Lower Pinch Bar6Centre Bushing13Thrust Bearing20Nut7Upper Body14Upper Guide Bushing21Lower Guide Bushing

Specifications

• Body Material: Cast Iron, Cast Steel, Aluminium
• Size: DN25 to DN1000
• Nominal Pressure: PN16
• Valve Type: Straight Through
• Max. Working Pressure: 2.5MPa
• Max. Shutoff Differential Pressure: 0.25MPa
• Full Travel Loading Time(Open to Close): ≤3S
• Effective Diameter: 25 to 1000mm
• Leakage Class: IV. (Refer to standard API598)
• Connection Type: Flange

Pinch Valve Dimensions

Valve SizePN(Bar)ABCWeight/Kg (Pneumatic Pinch Valve)Weight(Manual Pinch Valve)251-25165125255118321-251651402601410401-251651802651612501-251651902801813651-251652103102217801-2520024537036271001-2525027841046331251-2531034046574481501-16375400560106752001-105004806901591192501-662557086521316130017507201020279212

Application Areas

Power Plants

• FGD Systems
• Coal Conveying Devices
• Scrubbing Systems
• Fly Ash Control

Chemical Process Control

• Corrosive and Abrasive Materials
• Powders
• Particles
• Waste Treatment

Sewage Treatment Plants

• Sludge Control
• Sand Removal
• Raw Sewage
• Lime and Carbon Slime

Mining Operations

• Tailings Disposal
• Flotation Control
• Multiple Mud Control
• Dredge Pipelines

Advantages of Purchasing Pinch Valves from THINKTANK

● Superior Wear and Corrosion Resistance

THINKTANK's pinch valves effectively handle all types of medium concentration acids and alkali salt solutions. They are also capable of managing pulp, dry and wet powders, and crystalline materials.

● Full Diameter Design

When open, the valve integrates seamlessly with the pipeline system without altering its diameter or structure, thus maintaining consistent flow.

● Closure Capability Despite Particles

Self-cleaning sleeves prevent particle accumulation, enhancing valve longevity and reliability.

● No Leakage

The valve ensures complete isolation of flow path and control medium space, thereby eliminating the risk of internal and external leaks.

● Low Maintenance

With no seats, packing, rings, or telescopic tubes to replace, maintenance is limited to sleeve replacements, significantly lowering costs.

Effective in managing abrasive, corrosive, and fibrous products such as granulates, powders, pellets, and dust, as well as liquids containing solids.

Suitable Sleeve Materials for Pinch Valves

Sleeve Material Suitable TemperatureTypical MediumApplicationSBRTStyrene Butadiene,Flowrox Blend-40°C to +110°C Abrasive materials, diluted acid, alkali and chemical applicationsHeavy wearingHigh cycle frequencyEPDMEthylene Propylene-40°C to +120°CConcentrated and oxidizing chemicalsChemical applications– Applicable to 75% of allindustrial chemical applicationsNBRNitrile Rubber-30°C to +100°COils, fats, fuels, hydrocarbon, lubricantsApplications involving oils, fatsand hydrocarbonNRNatural Rubber-50°C to +75°C Abrasive materials, diluted acids, alkali a chemicalsHigh wear applicationsHNBRHydrogenatedNitrile-30°C to +160°COils, fats, fuels hydrocarbon, lubricantsHigh temperature applicationsNRFNatural RubberFoodstuff QualityWhite inner lining-40°C to +75°C Media used in food and other CIP (clean-in-place) processes, alcoholFood applications– Meets FDA requirementsNBRFNitrile RubberWhite inner lining-30°C to +100°CVegetable and animal oils and fatsApplications involving fatty foodstuff– Meets FDA requirementsEPDM/BEthylene Propylene, Blend-40°C to +100°CGreen liquor, alkaline and extraneous materialsPulp and paper industry’s green liquorCRChloroprene Rubber-40°C to +100°C Chemicals, acids, solvents, oils, fats, lubricantsSpecial-purpose chemical applications– Resilient to ozone and adverse weatherFPMFluorine Rubber(Viton®)-20°C to +120°CChemicals, aliphatic oils, aromatic and halogenated hydrocarbonsSpecial-purpose chemical applications– Resilient to ozone and adverse weatherCSMChloro-sulphon-ethylene(Hypalon®)-40°C to +100°CChemicals, acids, solvents, oils, fats, lubricantsSpecial-purpose chemical applications– Resilient to ozone and adverse weatherIIRButyl-40°C to +100°CConcentrated acids, vegetable oilsSpecial-purpose chemical applications– Impermeable to gasPUPolyurethane withPU lining-10°C to +80°C Abrasive materials, diluted chemicals, hydrocarbon, oils, lubricantsAbrasive media applications

Flange Types for Pneumatic/Air-Operated Pinch Valves

Variations in Flanged Ends

a. Aluminum Flange

b. Aluminum Flange with Stainless Steel Bushing

c. Aluminum Flange with Internal Threading

d. Aluminum Flange with Flange Sleeve

Dimensions of Flanged Ends

DN(mm)D1DADFnB
(Number of Holes)ØdØTKLGHEPS Max. (Bar)G1 (Internal Threaded)GT404015088418110155G1/4"56286G11/2"195050165102418125183G1/4"65286G2"246565185122418145183G1/4"81306G21/2"228080200138818160228G1/4"95316G3"22100100220158818180280G1/4"112356G4"20125125250184818210348G1/4"136406–150150285212822240418G1/4"160436–200200340268822295558G3/8"206604–2502503953201222350680G1/2"266673–3003004453701222400820G1/2"306703–

Threaded Ends Dimensions for Pneumatic/Air-Operated Pinch Valves

DIN EN ISO 228 'G' or ANSI/ASME B1.20.1 'NPT'DN(mm)D1D2IGGTL1L2G104635G3/8"126880G1/8"23155647G1/2"158595G1/8"28206249G3/4"1793103G1/8"32257257G1"20110120G1/8"37328066G11/4"21130140G1/4"45409077G11/2"21150160G1/4"505011088G2"25175185G1/4"6065139115G21/2"30173200G1/4"7480173133G3"33213230G1/4"90100203156G4"20264280G1/4"107

Additional Insights on THINKTANK Pneumatic Pinch Valves

The core difference between air-operated and electric-operated pinch valves lies in the actuator or power source used. THINKTANK’s pinch valves are versatile, suited for handling dirty, abrasive industrial slurries and powders, as well as sanitary-grade food and pharmaceutical applications.

Final Thoughts

The sleeve is crucial to the quality of pinch valves. THINKTANK offers reliable pinch valve solutions for various applications, from abrasive industrial processes to sanitary food and pharmaceutical uses. Contact us with any questions you may have.

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Pinch Valves