DeZURIK Knife Gate Valves for Harsh Tailings Slurry
In this case study Application Solution, discover how DeZURIK’s Knife Gate Valves for Tailings Slurry offered a lasting solution to the challenges faced by a North American mining customer. The mine’s existing push-through style valves were lasting only three months in their tailings slurry system, where the process media contained 55% solids at over 350 psi and ambient temperatures. The turbulence caused by a nearby 45-degree angle pipe led to rapid wear on the valve seats, creating dangerous media leakage and flooding the pump station with slurry.
DeZURIK’s solution was the KSV Severe Service Knife Gate Valve, designed specifically to handle highly erosive slurry applications. These valves feature metal seats with a hard-faced overlay, a bi-directional, drip-tight design, and are suitable for dead-end service without a mating flange. The KSV valve’s enclosed design has proven to be highly reliable, with no failures to atmosphere and a service life of 3.5 years—14 times longer than the previous push-through style valve.
Additionally, the KSV valve’s dual seat ring design provides increased maintenance flexibility, allowing for easy seat rotation and interchanging, thus extending the valve’s service life. With a potential four times the lifespan from one set of seats, the need for excess inventory is reduced, making maintenance more efficient. The KSV’s full-force lockout system ensures safety and reliability even under challenging conditions.
For more insights on how DeZURIK’s Knife Gate Valves for Tailings Slurry addresses severe slurry challenges and extends valve life, read this case study white paper and learn how DeZURIK’s innovative design can transform your mining operation’s performance.