Sleeve Valves and Industry

Within the range of sleeve valve operations, there are a huge variety of sleeve compositions for a user to choose from. Whatever the application, in whichever industry, there is a suitable sleeve that can be provided by a discerning manufacturer. One of the priorities in the designing of a system involving a sleeve valve is the precise compatibility factor between the processed material and the sleeve.

When consideration is given to the designing of a sleeve valve system, in the event of the wrong composition of the sleeve being chosen; the results can be costly and damaging. Therefore, communication between user and supplier is imperative in the system planning process and calls for thorough knowledge of the process materials on the part of the user to be shared with the supplier. For example, although pure gum rubber sleeves are resilient and abrasion resistant and are able to operate at temperatures between -50°F and 180°F; there are still some chemicals which this sleeve could not process effectively for extended periods.

The pure gum rubber sleeves are most suited to organic, or carbon based acids and mild chemical compounds. Although it is not recommended for the processing of strong acids, it may be suitable when used in the manufacturing of food or in the distillation of alcohol. The successful application of a sleeve valve will be determined by the performance of the sleeve elastomer, decided at the final stage by the user.

With modern day technologies, there are a variety of materials from which articles such as valve sleeves can be manufactured. Included in this is Neoprene, which is compounded of chloroprene polymers. This type of sleeve material is capable of operating in high temperatures up to 220°F and is chemically inert and performs well in sleeve valves with moderate acids and various other chemicals. It differs from pure gum rubber as it is resilient and has enough built-in strength in which to operate with materials such as ozone and some oils and fats. This sleeve type has a greater resistance to abrasion, but it may be weakened or eroded by oxidizing acids, ester and chlorinated hydro-carbons.

Sleeve valves in their sometimes highly specialized working environments must contend with adverse conditions. These can include vastly differing temperature ranges from -60°F to 300°F. Sleeves manufactured from chlorobutyl elastomer, or chlorinated butyl rubber compounds are able to provide this operation capability. They are recognized for their excellent abrasion resistance and ability to process animal and vegetable fats. However, the processing of solvents will break-down the rubber and some types of oils will be found too heavy and beyond their capability.

As the efficiency and effectiveness of a sleeve valve is dependent on the quality and ability of the sleeve to meet the required material processing requirement, users should be familiar with the types of sleeves available to them. Whether their processing material application is related to chemical manufacturing or engineering, will directly determine the use of a Neoprene manufactured sleeve, one of pure gum rubber or one of Hypalon. This particular compound is able to process relatively strong acids and bases, Freon, ozone, alcohol compounds and alkaline products and is reputed to weather well.

The importance of the 'sleeve' in a sleeve valve cannot in any way be underestimated without potentially unfortunate results. Valve manufacturers have manufactured available varieties of sleeves manufactured from various materials and for any user, no matter their industry, researching their processing material will be time and money well invested.


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If you enjoyed this article by Charlotte Hupfield of AKO UK Ltd please visit www.pinch-valve.com for further information. You will find details of how to re-sleeve a Sleeve Valve and also details of the function of industrial Pinch Valves.