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Power of Comparison

Vortex Wye-Line 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, as a result of blast abrasion. Such deficiencies promote leakage of air, materials and dusts through the valve and to atmosphere, in addition to actuation issues and several other maintenance concerns. The Vortex® Wye Line Diverter™ eliminates these issues by using "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 blast abrasion. This design maintains the diverter's positive seal without frequent maintenance intervention.

• Plug diverters are prone to seizing and binding, as a result of material build-up in the clearances between the rotating plug and the diverter’s housing. The Vortex Wye Line Diverter’s sliding blade design mechanically self-cleans materials away from the sealing surfaces with each actuation. This prevents material build-up, reduces seal wear and ensures positive valve closure.

• Plug diverters are constructed primarily from bulky, heavy cast iron, making them costly to install or remove for maintenance. The Vortex Wye Line Diverter is lightweight and narrow profile, making it well-suited for difficult installations.

• In order to shift ports when using a plug diverter, the internal plug must be rotated approximately 150 °. This is often a timely process. Before the internal plug is rotated, the system’s blower must be temporarily deactivated. Otherwise, the plug will create back pressure as it rotates. With an average actuation time of 2 – 6 seconds, the Vortex Wye Line Diverter can be shifted without shutting down the system's blower and without creating back pressure.

• Many alternative pneumatic diverters have blade(s) and seals which are directly exposed to the material flow steam, creating wear. The exposed blade(s) and seals also disrupt convey line pressures and material flow as they pass through the valve, which can cause bridging, line plugs and other maintenance concerns. To resolve these issues, the Vortex Wye Line Diverter’s sliding blade is machined with an unobstructed, full-bore orifice that maintains convey line pressure and allows unrestricted material movement.

• The Vortex Wye Line Diverter creates a naturally occurring high-pressure airfoil that deflects errant materials away from the closed port(s) and back into the material flow stream. Also, with each purge cycle, the Wye Line Diverter forces residual materials downstream. This design prevents material cross-contamination to the opposite port(s).

• Alternative pneumatic diverters can significantly shear materials, as a result of jamming and grinding materials into the seals. Sheared materials cause seal wear, material degradation and damaged product quality. Sheared materials may also wedge in the seals, causing the diverter to seize and bind. To prevent these issues, the Vortex Wye Line Diverter's "scissoring" action tapers off material flow as it shifts between ports. In doing so, the service life of the pressure plate seals is also extended.