Types Of Diverter Valves Guide

Diverter valves are used to switch the direction of product flow from one conveying line to another line, allowing for seamless transportation of materials. These valves are capable of transporting powders and granular materials, including chemicals, plastics, food ingredients, and powders of all types, without damaging them. Most diverter valves can handle numerous different types of materials with ease.

Diverter valves come in a number of different shapes and sizes, each type having its unique strengths; some diverter valves are better for transporting certain sizes of materials, and some are more capable of withstanding abrasive chemicals. Diverter valves operate with either a pneumatic, electric or manual actuator. Consumers can learn the differences between conveying diverter valves, plug diverter valves, scale diverter valves, and gravity diverter valves to determine which best fits their industry’s needs.

Conveying Diverter Valves

Conveying diverter valves use a flap plate system to divert the flow of materials in pneumatic conveying lines. They can be made of several different materials, and are available with a cast iron, cast aluminum or stainless steel body. The best conveying diverter valves come with a rubber wiper creating a tight seal between the flap and body, making them self-cleaning and requiring very little effort to maintain.

Conveying diverter valves are useful for moving a number of different products, from foods like corn and rice to plastic pellets and powders. Conveying diverter valves are made further versatile in that they can usually be operated by a variety of different actuators, both automatic and manual. Quality conveying diverter valves, like the ones offered by Carolina Conveying, are completely sealed off from the outside, preventing leaks and contamination to the air or other products.

Plug Diverter Valves

Plug diverter valves, or rotary plug diverter valves, are a highly efficient alternative to the conveying diverter valve, and are a better option for large particles and high pressure systems.

Though they are similar to conveying diverter valves in that they are also designed for pneumatic conveying systems, they operate quite differently. Instead of using an internal flap, the internal plug rotates 150 degrees to change the flow of the materials. The plug has a round hole that matches the convey line size for a smooth transfer of product.

Because of their design and higher pressure rating, plug diverter valves are a great choice for transporting product in dense phase systems. Like conveying diverter valves, most plug diverter valves have a number of different actuator options available, from pneumatic and electric rotary actuators to a hand crank for a manual approach.

Scale Diverter Valves

Thanks to their unique design, scale diverter valves are sometimes also called by-pass fill valves or weigh valves. The scale valve sits on top of a tank or hopper. This valve has a straight through pipe section for bypassing the hopper when the internal flaps are down, and a bottom outlet flange for diverting material into the hopper when the flaps are up. Displaced air in the hopper air is relieved through the exhaust port. Numerous scale diverter valves can be run in series allowing multiple hoppers to be filled from one single convey line.

Often used in baking industry or batch type systems, the scale diverter is the best option for filling multiple hoppers. Scale diverter valves can be actuated with a pneumatic air cylinder or electric actuator.

Gravity Diverter Valves

Gravity diverter valves are the most customizable of the diverter valves, and are available with round or square flanges and with two-way and three-way options depending on the number of outlets needed. They are either manual or automatic, but unlike the other diverter valves above, they only work with gravity flow systems. For those with gravity flow systems, gravity diverter valves are often the most inexpensive and fitting choice.

Divert angles can also be customized to the consumers’ needs, allowing for gravity diverter valves to work with any existing gravity flow system. The gravity diverter valves come with either a flap shaft assembly with rubber wiper seal or an internal chute to direct product from one outlet to another. The diverter valves require little maintenance and help maintain the integrity of transported materials. Plus, Carolina Conveying offers multiple rubber wiper seals that come in food-grade rubber, high temperature and abrasion resistant to meet the customer’s system requirements.

Great Options At Carolina Conveying

What kind of diverter valve should you choose? Given all of the options, deciding what kind of diverter valve is right for your industry might not always seem straightforward, especially if you’re handling a variety of different materials. The experts at Carolina Conveying can help you choose the best model and give you the best bang for your buck. Call today for a free consultation, and we’ll help you pick the perfect valve for your team’s needs.