A mining-specific diverter valve, designed to improve the efficiency of paste backfill operations, is experiencing significant interest in the South African market after being launched in the country at the Electra Mining Africa trade show, which ran from September 12 to 16 in Johannesburg.

Mechanical pipe-joining company Victaulic regional manager Africa Barry van Jaarsveld tells Engineering News that there is early sales growth in South Africa for the Victaulic series-725 diverter valve, with significant interest being shown by industry.

The valve was launched in the US at the end of 2013.

The grooved-end series-725 diverter valve is the result of continuous investment and innovation; it is designed to deliver significant time and cost savings in the field, and offers a real competitive advantage, continues Van Jaarsveld.

The need to reposition fill lines is eliminated by using the valve, reducing handling and resulting in more efficient operations.

The valve is able to turn at a 180° angle and reduces the need for crews to manually redeploy backfill piping systems to other areas of a mine, which saves time.

The old technique of switching the direction of the line requires flushing out the paste before disassembling the joint. However, using the new series-725 valve eliminates the need to flush the system and to disassemble any joints. “The flow is diverted internally by an elbow that swings 180° from one line to the other,” he says, adding that downtime is thus reduced.

“With a rugged ductile iron body and a 5D (indicating pipe diameter) bend profile, the series-725 ensures smooth, continuous flow and durable, reliable service,” notes Van Jaarsveld.

An adjustable stop ensures the plug aligns properly with the outlet to improve performance and reduce wear. The valve also features a tamper-resistant lockout- and blowoutproof stem design.

“The series-725 valve is also the first grooved-end valve of its kind and delivers a lot of advantages owing to its joining method,” he tells Engineering News.

Maintenance and Instalment
Maintenance of the valve simply requires the line to be flushed once service to an area is complete.

Van Jaarsveld cites a beta site at a gold mine in Canada, which has moved more than 400 000 t of backfill through a single series-725 diverter valve without the valve having been replaced. “It has been installed and in use for nearly 18 months.”

Because the series-725 diverter valve is groove-ended, it can be installed up to ten times faster than flanged or welded systems.

He explains that, because grooved mechanical couplings have fewer bolts and typically no torque requirements, grooved piping is faster to install than flanged piping. He cites that, whereas flanging a 150 mm joint on Schedule 40 carbon steel pipe requires eight bolts and will take about 1.5 work hours to complete, this can now be completed in 20 minutes using a grooved solution that requires only two nuts and bolts.

Moreover, as a grooved mechanical pipe-joining solution is a no-flame solution, it does not require costly fire-watch labour or fire shielding, or tanks, torches and potentially dangerous lead lines.

The series-725 is available in a 150 mm size and withstands pressures of up to 6 900 kPa. Designed with a standard ISO 5211 mounting flange, the valve can be provided with a gear operator or electric actuator for remote actuation.