Valves for the Mining Industry

The mining and mineral sector needs robust processing systems that can meet the harsh chemical, pressure, and temperature demands of the industry. Any leaks at a mining facility could result in environmental damage coupled with penalties and fines. To reduce costly and unscheduled downtime, systems and all components must function consistently and reliably, minimizing equipment damage and hazardous working conditions. Specialized valves within these processing systems, such as check valves, help ensure consistent movement and direction of fluid in numerous mining applications.

Check Valves

One of the least thought about, but most crucial types of valves in a mining operation is the check valve. Often these applications consist of both vertical and horizontal piping orientations. Check valves ensure the one-way flow of fluid throughout a piping system and protect pumps and compressors from backflow. They also rely on a tight seal to stop any reverse flow leakage. This functionality is crucial for mining operations, which need to provide a continuous supply of raw materials and processed fluids.

Check valves must be resistant to harsh substances despite their chemical properties, pH levels, temperatures, or pressures to prevent corrosion and overall wear. With a high-quality check valve, companies can efficiently maintain a controlled flow of fluid that doesn’t jeopardize production standards or cause downtime to mining equipment. Combined with a regular maintenance program, placing check valves throughout your piping system can reduce processing costs and downtime otherwise resulting from equipment strain, breakdowns, and component replacements.

Applications

Check valves are essential in both above- and below-ground applications for mining and processing materials. Some of the most common applications for check valves in the industry include:

• Autoclaving. High-quality alloy check valves can be used to prevent the reverse flow of fluid in autoclaving operations requiring Class V shutoff capabilities.
• Extraction processes. For above-ground extraction procedures, solvent extraction (SX) plants and pregnant leach solutions (PLS) processes utilize check valves. In SX plants, check valves are located at the pump discharge point for managing aqueous leach and organic fluids to prevent backflow and water hammer. These valves also function at the pump discharge stage in PLS procedures, but they can also stop reverse flow within a system.
• Mine dewatering. Dewatering processes use pumps to lower the water table near a mining site or quarry. The pumps that manage the dewatering in mining need robust check valves that can function well in vertical or horizontal orientations to guard against water hammer and keep the removed water flowing away from the site.
• Pipelines. Check valves maintain the one-way flow of water to and from mining locations, regardless of piping distance, orientation, or changes in elevation and height. They also protect valuable pumps from reverse flow and prevent water hammer.
• Pump isolation and discharge. Check valves prevent backflow and mitigate the risk of pump damage throughout discharge.

Flanged & Wafer Check Valves From DFT^® Inc.

As an engineered valve company, DFT wafer and flanged check valve varieties meet the needs of the mining industry. Our robust WLC^® and ALC^® wafer check valves can handle a wide range of substance types, pressures, and temperatures for use throughout mining and refining processes. Each valve has a spring-assisted, non-slam mechanism to prevent backflow and seal tightly shut. The WLC^® is available in sizes 1″-10″ and classes 150-1500 and features a center-guided design for superior performance and reliability. The ALC^® wafer check valve is available in sizes 2″-24″ and in classes 150 and 300. Each of the wafer check valves has minimal leak paths and is compact, fitting between joining flanges in vertical as well as horizontal installations.

DFT^® also offers a line of flanged check valves. Our Excalibur^® Silent Check Valve series is another low-maintenance solution for ensuring a consistent, one-way flow of fluid through a processing system. The Excalibur^® series includes an extensive range of options to meet different size requirements, pressure and temperature ratings, and material standards for best fit in most systems in the mining industry. Each valve has an in-line, dual-guided, and spring-assisted design so your facility can rely on its consistent operation. Flanged valves feature a simple, well-constructed design consisting of body, gasket, spring, seat, and disc (with stem and guide bushing) components. Excaliburs are designed to meet the ASME B16.10 face-to-face standard.

For over 75 years, DFT^® has been assisting clients with their in-line check valve requirements with a focus on superior customer service. Contact us today to learn more about our specialty valves or to request a quote for pricing details.