New FFU universal gate valve from Coperion | Engineer Live

Gate valves may not be something engineers think too much about, as they are usually small pieces of a much larger operation that are used to regulate discharge in pipelines.

By blocking or opening the pipe’s interior space, the gate valve controls how much matter flows through and how much stays behind. Any industry, such as the plastics or chemical industries, that tend to manage bulk material through pipes likely uses gate valves.

The power industry uses strainers to separate unwanted solids from liquid, a process that is often done using gate valves. In the case of Acme Engineering’s industrial strainers, for example, two gate valves inside a cylindrical pipe open and close at strategic times, to guide accumulated discharge outside the machine. First, the top valve closes, and then the bottom valve opens to release the unwanted materials that have gathered. This eliminates the need for manual extraction of the materials and keeps the cylinder clear.

There are many types of gate valves and a new design comes from the German developer Coperion. The company's new product the FFU universal gate valve is compact and lightweight, possibly due to Coperion’s precision casting process when manufacturing the valve. The valve is suitable for a range of industries.

Because of its new geometry and seal, the valve closes securely while material is flowing but also when the product column is stationary. This makes it suitable for rigorous applications, even in combustible areas.

“Decades of experience in handling a variety of bulk materials, comprehensive expertise in plant construction, and years-long partnerships with our customers allow us to develop new products that are precisely tailored to customer needs,” said Markus Reinke, the head of component sales at Coperion in Weingarten. “With the new Coperion FFU universal gate valve, we offer a simple, cost-effective and flexible solution for numerous discharge applications in a variety of industries.”

Models with manual or pneumatic drive are available in sizes DN 150 to 400 (6 to 16 inches and can be installed while considering specific cusutomer circumstances.