English
Can be shifted on a flowing column of materials – also known as, “shifting on the fly.”
No material cross-contamination into the opposite line(s)
Live loaded, wear compensating hard polymer pressure plate seals
Positive seal of materials/dust-tight seal across the closed line(s) and to atmosphere
Machined, full-bore orifice for unobstructed material flow and to maintain convey line pressure
“Scissoring” action reduces seal wear and minimizes material shearing
No internal cavities, to prevent wedging, lodging and spoilage
No pinch points or exposed moving parts
Mechanically self-cleans its seals with each actuation
Model No.
TXX
Conveyance Type
Gravity flow and dilute phase pneumatic conveying applications. Can handle differential pressures up to 15psig | 1 barg | 0.1 MPa, depending on gate size. Can be used in pressure or vacuum systems.
Materials Handled
Non-abrasive to moderately abrasive powders, pellets and granules. Modifications available for handling corrosive materials and/or for wash-down.
Standard Sizes
2 – 8 in | 50 – 205 mm
ID & OD diameters are available.
Schedule pipe sizes are also available.
Inlet & Outlets
Available in round sizes
Overall Height
35 – 100 in | 875 – 2,545 mm
Weight
100 – 500 lb | 45 – 225 kg
Connection Options
Compression couplings, ANSI #125/150
Custom flanges are available
Material Temperatures
180° F | 80° C for standard gate, with modifications that allow up to 250° F | 122° C
Body/Frame Construction
Aluminum
Housing Construction
304 stainless steel w/ clear polycarbonate viewport
Weldment Options
Aluminum, 304 or 316L stainless steel, carbon steel
Hose Options
Natural rubber w/ steel wire helix, 304 stainless steel
Material Contact Options
304 or 316L stainless steel
Pressure Plate Options
Nylon, PET
Load Seal Options
Natural rubber and/or silicone rubber
Drive/Actuation
Double-acting air cylinder, hand wheel, electric actuator
Position Confirmation
Magnetic reed or proximity switches, and/or clear access panel for visual indication
Other Options
Sealed body air purge
Compliance
ATEX Zone 20 (internal), ATEX Zone 21 (external), FDA
FS1
Directional flex hose is installed for material to run through the valve from one port to two ports.
FS2
Directional flex hose is installed for material to run through the valve from two ports to one port.
S
Material / metal contact is 316L stainless steel.
HT3
Modifications are made allowing 250 F (121 C) continuous to 300 F (149 C) intermittent service.
SM
Gate blade is electropolished. Polyethylene (PET) or (UHMW) pressure plate seals are used.
P10/P40
Utilizing Schedule 10 or Schedule 40 true-pipe inlet and outlets.
P1/P4
Utilizing Schedule 10 or Schedule 40 pipe stubs flared to next size larger tube size inlet and outlet.
*Additional modifications available based on application.
Vortex Flex Tube Diverter vs. Alternatives
• Many alternative pneumatic diverters rely on soft rubber seals which are directly exposed to the material flow stream. These seals rapidly erode or tear away in service, which allows materials and dusts to leak into the opposite line(s) and to atmosphere. Seal damage can also cause actuation issues and several other maintenance concerns. The Vortex® Flex Tube Diverter™ addresses these issues by incorporating "live loaded" hard polymer pressure plate seals. Hard polymer provides greater wear resistance and longer service life than alternative sealing materials. The hard polymer seals are "live loaded" with compressed rubber backing to ensure even as the polymer experiences frictional wear from many actuations over time, the rubber load seals continuously force the polymer seals against the blade. The seals are also shielded from the material flow stream, to protect them from abrasion. This design maintains the diverter's positive seal of materials/dust-tight seal with infrequent maintenance intervention.
• Many alternative pneumatic diverters have open cavities where materials can wedge and prevent positive material shut-off. Wedging can also create seal wear and material degradation, and cause a valve to seize and bind. Wedged materials also create risk for cross-contamination and spoilage. To prevent wedging, the Flex Tube Diverter's sliding blade is designed to mechanically clear materials away from the sealing surfaces with each actuation. This ensures migrant materials are forced back out of the seals and are discharged into the process line, rather than packing in the seals and causing actuation issues.
• Many valves with sliding blades allow metal-on-metal sliding, which creates galling. This causes a valve to seize and bind, and can create foreign metal fragment contamination. The Flex Tube Diverter's hard polymer seals eliminate metal-on-metal contact to resolve each of these concerns.
• Alternative pneumatic diverters can pack and grind materials against the seals. This causes seal wear, material degradation and damaged product quality. To address these issues, the Flex Tube Diverter's "scissoring" action tapers off material flow as it shifts between lines. In keeping the pressure plate seals clear of materials, their service life is also extended.
• Many alternative pneumatic diverters have blade(s) and seals which are directly exposed to the material flow steam. This disrupts convey line pressures and obstructs material flow as they pass through the valve, which can cause line plugs and other maintenance concerns.To resolve these issues, the Flex Tube Diverter’s sliding blade is machined with an unobstructed, full-bore orifice that maintains convey line pressure and allows unrestricted material movement.
• Many alternative flexible hose diverters feature an exposed flexible hose. When installed outdoors, this subjects the flexible hose to its surrounding environment. Regarding operator safety, an exposed flexible hose also creates hazardous pinch points. To address these issues, the Flex Tube Diverter is designed with a housing that protects the flexible hose and encloses all moving parts.
