BOILERS, PUMPS & VALVES A
lmost 200 years ago, the Swede Nils Gabriel Sefström discovered a new element. Inspired by the rich colouring of its chemical compounds, he called it “vanadium” after Vanadís (Freyja), the Scandinavian goddess of beauty. Today, the world’s purest vanadium compounds are manufactured on an industrial scale by U.S. Vanadium. Sliding gate valves by Schubert & Salzer help to reach and maintain the optimal process temperature.
U.S. Vanadium, based in Arkansas, USA, is one of the leading manufacturers and suppliers of vanadium compounds. Steel alloyed with vanadium is used in bridges, buildings and car parts, in the aerospace industry, in ships and pipelines, as well as many other industries. As a result, lightweight construction is possible. It can make an important contribution to increase resource
However, U.S. Vanadium is known above all for the compounds vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) and vanadium trioxide (V2O3) that it manufactures. According to the company, the highest degrees of purity in the world are attained in the production of the two substances. The ultra-pure compounds are used in special applications, for example in dyes and special alloys or as catalysers in sulphuric acid production. Meanwhile, the energy transition in particular is fuelling demand because extremely pure vanadium oxides are the crucial basic component for the operation of vanadium redox energy on a large scale in a sustainable and resource-saving way. This is because vanadium scalable as energy storage devices and have a long service life of 15,000 to 20,000 charge and discharge cycles.
THE PRODUCTION OF VANADIUM OXIDES
IS A HIGH PRECISION PROCESS A large number of industrial waste products, such as slag from the steel industry, serve as the basic material for the manufacture of oxidised with sodium salts to produce water-soluble compounds of sodium and vanadium. To leach these from the slag with suspension is heated to exactly 95 °C.
In the past, variations in temperature frequently occurred in this continuously running process. Due to the constantly supplied and changing input quantities, it is attain and maintain the optimal suspension temperature of 95 °C. To solve this problem and U.S. Vanadium has
CONTROL VALVES FOR THE WORLD’S PUREST VANADIUM OXIDES
by Schubert & Salzer at a central point in the process.
“Commissioning the valve could not have been any easier. The positioner is self-adjusting. Once the supply air and electrical connections are made, simply initiate the self-adjustment. The valve’s sliding gate design made installation a breeze due to the fact a smaller actuator is overall size more compact.”, said Ben Davis, process controls and project manager at U.S. Vanadium.
SLIDING GATE VALVES: IMPROVED PROCESS CONTROL, EASY
IMPLEMENTATION, GREATER EFFICIENCY This is due to the basic physical principle on which the valves are designed; two slotted discs that slide over each other and seal against each other. The actuator only has to overcome the sliding friction between the two discs over actuating force is up to 90 percent lower than with other valve designs, which is why it is Despite the same overall length, sliding gate compact in design and are easier to handle than comparable globe valves.
terms of energy cost. The shorter stroke and reduced force needed to shut-off or control the valve results in less air needed to actuate the valve”, explains Davis. “We installed this valve in a steam line that is used to heat a 50,000-gallon tank of slurry, approximately 190,000 litres,
12 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2024/25 | FACTORY&HANDLINGSOLUTIONS
where we leach vanadium. This is a continuous process with 100-140 gallons, or about 400 to 550 litres, per minute of cold slurry going in and the same amount going out. The leach slurry in the tank is maintained at 95° C during this process.”
After a short time, it was already clear that the replacement of the previously installed globe extremely pure vanadium oxides. “The new valve has given us tighter control of heat energy into the process, which allows us to match heat energy required for incoming cold slurry and therefore reduces temperature oscillations”, says Davis.
GOOD PROSPECTS FOR THE ENERGY CHANGE
The upgrade to Schubert & Salzer sliding gate of the manufacturing process and to lower operating costs still further. A new plant for manufacturing the electrolytes for the vanadium directly next to the improved vanadium oxide production plant. U.S. Vanadium can therefore now cover the entire supply chain for ultra-pure vanadium electrolytes.
Schubert & Salzer
www.schubert-salzer.com
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