Valve selection for hydrometallurgical applications

Valves for mining

This article focuses on hydrometallurgical applications in mining. Since their invention, knife gate valves (KGVs) have been used in many services spanning general and severe service. Trial and error has produced new designs and options for old designs. The industry needs to be cautious because one must be familiar with several KGV designs since each has its own performance attributes and is best suited for particular applications.

A CGIS paper identified five distinct types of KGVs. Modern versions have pushed the operating envelope from low-pressure, 150-psig (10-Bar) general purpose valves up to and including ASME Class 600 (1440-psig, 100-Bar) severe service slurry isolation and control valves.