Please login or register to join our webinar.

E-mail address:
Password:
Forgot your password?
Log in
REGISTRATION
Home > Supplier Companies > Weir Minerals > News > Choosing the right valve...
Weir Minerals

Choosing the right valve for the job

Jul 9, 2020

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Factoring valve selection into a plant’s core design is vital for safe and reliable operation. In my opinion, valves are one of the most undervalued pieces of equipment on a mine.
 
Companies spend years planning and designing plants that can cost billions of dollars. High value, long lead time capital equipment like high pressure grinding rolls, mills, crushers and other capital equipment are reviewed, analysed and ordered early in a project’s timeline, well in advance of their go-live date.
 
But why are valves ordered just months before they’re needed?
 
Because of their lower cost and shorter lead time, people often think of valves are less important than the big-ticket items. However, this perception ignores the fact that valves are a vital piece of equipment, enabling you to isolate and shutdown other equipment safely, preventing small problems from becoming plant-wide disasters.
 
Because they’re often procured at the last minute, however, we see poorly selected valves shutting down operations instead of keeping the plant running. Factoring valve selection into the plant’s core design is the key to safe and reliable operation.
 
Let’s start with a quick breakdown of the different types of mining valves Weir Minerals manufactures.
 
Our versatile range of Isogate® valves
 
Weir Minerals has been manufacturing Isogate® knife gate valves for over thirty years. What started as a range of low pressure, low duty, heavy construction valves, has grown into a full range including large bore, high-pressure tailings valves to lightweight high-performance valves.
 
These valves utilise the full suite of Weir Minerals elastomers to ensure long wear life in every application. Through our continuous improvement program, our engineering team has achieved a best-in-class design for fluid expulsion during cycling, reducing water consumption and limiting environmental impact in the case of a leak.
 
Delta Industrial™: the market leader in shear gate valves
 
 
Delta Industrial™ knife gate valves have been the market leader in the range of shear gates for many years. The valves are engineered from a wide range of materials which virtually eliminate any corrosion or erosion while their closed body design with top transverse seal means no leakage to the environment during operation.
 
A range of accessories can be added to enhance the wear characteristics in the harshest of operating conditions.
 
Lewis® valves excel in corrosive applications
 
Some people forget about our Lewis® valves range, where our best-in-class wear materials such as the proprietary Lewmet® nickel-chrome alloys, give our gate, globe and butterfly valves unparalleled performance and survivability in a number of sulphuric-acid-based processes.
 
Choose something that lasts
 
Weir Minerals has a pedigree in materials and design that not many other valve manufacturers can match. Through our brands Linatex® and Vulco®, we have almost 100 years of rubber engineering to offer the highest quality and best wearing rubbers for various applications.
 
For example, Linatex® premium rubber sleeves in our pinch valves provide outstanding wear life in applications involving abrasive particles, due to the way their unique manufacturing process retains resilience of natural rubber.
 
Why valves need to be a fundamental part of your plan
 
Unfortunately, leaving valve selection to the end of your design process can limit your options due to availability and lead times.
 
It’s worthwhile thinking about the potential complications such as these early to make your life easier later on:
 
  • If you know you’re going to be working with sulfuric acid, factor Lewis® valves in early to prevent a situation where your plant gets shut down because a standard valve’s worn away after just a month of operation.
  • If you suspect that throughput is going to change significantly along with the ore body, factor that into your Isogate® valve selection.
  • If you know you’re going to need a robust Delta Industrial™ tailings valve, secure that inventory early so you’re not left running something prone to failure in that important pipeline.
Another issue I see is operators going with the same valves they used on their last project by default. This approach is fraught with danger as every process is subtly different in ways that can significantly affect valve performance and ultimately, your bottom line.
 
By contacting an experienced valve provider like Weir Minerals in the early stages of your process design, we can support your valve selection to achieve optimal wear life and minimise problems. Simply put, we’re here to make sure your valves do not become a maintenance issue of their own.
 

Source: https://www.global.weir/newsroom/news-articles/choosing-the-right-valve-for-the-job/

Latest news
We’ve vaccinated over 400 India-based Weir employees and 300 of their family members against COVID-19
Weir Minerals announces major order of Enduron® HPGR with IAMGOLD
New report identifies major carbon reduction opportunities in global mining
Weir wins major order to provide energy-saving technology to Ferrexpo
Q1 2021 Trading Update
View More News
Magazine
March 7, 2014
Full Year Results 2020
Inside this issue
Digital edition
Career Opportunities
Hose Builder

Carries out rubber lining and hose making processes according to standard safety procedures. Fabricates and process metal and rubber components in accordance with specified instructions. 
Account Manager-Capital Projects

Reporting to the Sales Manager-Projects for the designated region, the Sales Engineer is responsible for developing and managing specific key accounts and Engineering Firm customers, while meeting sales objectives and identifying new business opportunities for Weir Minerals’ entire portfolio within the designated geographic territory.
Rubber Product Manager

The Rubber Product Manager is responsible for the implementation of Weir Mineral’s Rubber Products strategy in Canada and aligning their application with WMC’s Integrated Solutions strategy. 
CNC Machinist

Sets up and operates conventional, special purpose, machining centers to fabricate high speed precision ground metallic parts and components with tight tolerances and exotic materials.
Material Handler

To ensure timely and accurate movement of all products in and around the facility.
Field Engineer

The Field Engineer’s role will be to technically support our key oil sands customers. 
Handlay Supervisor

Reporting to the Production Manager of the Fabrication Shop, the selected candidate will supervise workers engaged on the afternoon shif.
Buyer

Perform duties required to provide strategically source and procure a wide variety of technical and non-technical materials and services from suppliers worldwide to support customer requirements.
Customer Service Rep - Inside Sales I

Provides exceptional customer service to internal and external customers; receives and verifies orders for Weir products.
Applications Engineer

As part of our sales departments, the Application Engineer will work collaborative with internal departments and external stakeholders to support business development, sales of products and aftermarket services, while ensuring that customer requirements are met.
More Careers