The reliability provided by control valves plays a critical role in water treatment processes across the mining sector, where durability and efficiency can directly impact on plant performance and costs, reports water treatment equipment supplier Allmech.

The company is the official South African agent for Runxin control valves.

The Runxin softener and filter valves have been deployed to local mines specifically for use in water softening and filtration systems, as well as to address challenges linked to abrasive and corrosive environments, poor water quality and energy use, says Allmech MD Lionel Maasdorp.

These systems play a big role in treating feed water for boilers, reverse osmosis (RO) plants and other process equipment used at mine sites.

“The Runxin valves are very reliable and have been used in some applications for over ten years, without replacement,” he says, adding that long service life and low maintenance requirements make them “a good fit” for demanding mining conditions.

The valves are used on ion-exchange resin vessels, including those in softening, nitrate removal and demineralised water systems. These processes, highlights Maasdorp, are vital in removing scale-forming minerals and other impurities that would otherwise damage sensitive equipment such as RO membranes, heat exchangers or high-pressure pumps.

Runxin valves were recently deployed for a mining operation in Middelburg, in Mpumalanga, with the valves having demonstrated the positive impact of proper pretreatment. The mine needed to improve the quality of its feed water before sending it through an RO plant.

Allmech supplied a complete system, including a carbon filter, sand filter and softener, all fitted with Runxin valves. The result was a significant reduction in membrane fouling, which led to lower RO maintenance costs and longer membrane life.

In corrosive environments, where acid dosing or aggressive water chemistries are used, the materials and design of the valves become critical, he points out.

Runxin valves are manufactured from corrosion-resistant thermoplastics, such as unplasticised polyvinyl chloride and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, and are fitted with ceramic discs on the inside that resist wear and chemical attack.

Depending on the mining application, the shaft materials can also be changed to match fluid properties and system requirements.

For more aggressive or specialised applications, Allmech also supplies Runxin ceramic core ball valves; they are available in different plastic bodies and several grades of stainless steel, depending on the process conditions.

The combination of materials and the modular design of the valves ensures long-term durability with less intervention, says Maasdorp.

Runxin valves also consume less energy. Low amperage makes them suitable for off-grid or solar-powered installations, which is an important consideration for mines operating in remote or infrastructure-limited areas.

“In mining, downtime and high energy use are major concerns. The fact that these valves consume very little power and last a long time adds real value to our customers,” says Maasdorp.

Improved Operability

Maintenance is often a hidden cost in industrial operations, especially in remote mining sites where technicians and replacement parts can be limited.

Therefore, Runxin valves, in reducing the frequency of servicing and eliminating unexpected failures, help mines avoid those costly shutdowns, adds Maasdorp.

While the valves do not yet include smart diagnostics or complete Internet of Things functionality, he confirms that they are compatible with basic automated control systems.

Several Allmech clients have integrated Runxin valves into automated setups using the input and output contactor terminals built into the design.

“We have a demineralisation plant that uses this functionality to automate shutoff and control using ceramic core ball valves. It’s not advanced digital control, but it does give mines a way to reduce manual intervention and improve system responsiveness.”

Meanwhile, Runxin’s product development continues, with a dedicated research and development team ensuring the release of new valves onto the market every year.

These updates, he says, help to ensure that the range stays relevant for modern mining applications where compliance, digitalisation and cost control are becoming increasingly important.

“Mines are always looking for more efficient and cost-effective solutions. Runxin’s continued product innovation allows us to meet those changing needs.”

Although Allmech also supplies boiler chemicals and manufactures electrode boilers used in mining, Maasdorp says the control valves remain one of the company’s most trusted products.

The company’s focus is on providing equipment that works reliably in harsh environments and, with the Runxin control valves, it is assisting mining customers in reducing costs, improving performance and avoiding unnecessary downtime, he concludes.