List of products by brand AKO

AKO – Technical profile of a pinch valve manufacturer for abrasive, clogging and solids-containing media

AKO is a specialist manufacturer of pinch valves for process systems handling slurries, suspensions, powders, granules, emulsions, liquids, gases and difficult-flowing media. AKO describes its pinch valve range as suitable for abrasive, clogging and demanding process applications.

The product range includes:

• air-operated pinch valves,
• mechanically operated pinch valves,
• manual pinch valves,
• sanitary pinch valves,
• sleeves and spare parts,
• valve units for bulk solids and slurry systems.

A pinch valve uses an elastomer sleeve as the shut-off element. The body does not normally contact the medium; the sleeve is the wetted and wearing component. This makes pinch valves suitable for abrasive media, powders, granules, slurries, wastewater, cement, pigments, food powders and solids-containing liquids.

Air-operated pinch valves close by applying compressed air around the sleeve. When air pressure is released, the sleeve opens due to its elasticity and line pressure. Manual versions are used where local operation is sufficient.

The key selection parameters are:

• sleeve material,
• line pressure,
• control pressure,
• medium abrasiveness,
• particle size,
• solids concentration,
• chemical compatibility,
• temperature,
• full-bore requirement,
• opening / closing frequency,
• fail position and air supply.

Pinch valves are particularly useful where conventional gate, ball or butterfly valves may clog or suffer rapid seat erosion. However, sleeve life must be treated as a maintenance parameter and spare sleeves should be defined in the maintenance plan.

AKO products are relevant for wastewater engineers, bulk handling engineers, mining plants, cement plants, food processing lines, chemical plants and maintenance teams dealing with abrasive or difficult media.