Nearly 25 years later, the first orifice gate valve is still operational.
Valve stands test of time
Since 1978, first orifice gate valve still operational at meat processing plant
Westwind Industries of Wichita, Kansas, produces a variety of meat analog (meat alternative) products from soy protein. These products include bacon bits, beef, ham, chicken, sausage and pepperoni granules.
A Westwind product many people are familiar with is Bacums™. It is marketed as a “better than bacon choice.” Bacums™ are identical to bacon in taste, flavor and texture. However, they are 50% less expensive than bacon, require no refrigeration, contain no cholesterol, and offer up to four times the protein.
When Westwind began production in 1978, a problem encountered in their production process was the inability to meter the flow of product at the same rate of speed as it was produced. This operations bottleneck was creating customer dissatisfaction resulting from missed delivery dates and monetary penalties occurring for detaining overseas containers.
During a visit to Westwind, a local sales representative made owner Jim Beyers aware of a new company located in Salina, Kansas, that had developed a pneumatic slide gate with a dribble flow feed position. The salesman thought this product might help Beyers with his problem and arranged for Beyers and the owner of Salina Vortex to meet. Beyers didn't know it at the time, but he ended up purchasing the first Orifice Gate valve Salina Vortex produced.
The valve was installed between a stainless steel holding tank and a weigh hopper. It was equipped with automatic dribble feed controls so the blade partially closed to regulate product as the scale sensed the hopper was getting close to weight.
“We were amazed at the smoothness and the simplicity of operation this valve provided,” said Beyers. “The first day of production we were able to produce and pack product at the rate of 4,100 pounds per hour. This was a remarkable increase from the previous rate of 1,800 pounds per hour. The dribble feed feature dramatically decreased the shrink loss due to overweight cartons. It was just what we were looking for!”
The first Orifice Gate is a bit different than the current model. The early valves had a polymer blade sandwiched between two stainless steel plates.
“The only maintenance we've performed on the valve since it was installed was to replace one set of internal shear plates,” Beyers recalls. “In the mid 1980's, Salina Vortex tried to replace our original Orifice Gate with one of the newer models containing a stainless steel blade sandwiched between two polymer plates. We told them there was no need to do that. This valve works fine.”
The 6" Orifice Gate has seen a lot of service in the past almost twenty-four years. Beyers estimates the valve actuates about 80,000 times a year.
“We're approaching two million actuations. Apparently we made a good choice with the Orifice Gate. It is still working perfectly,” said Beyers.
Editor's Note:
Salina Vortex has come a long way since developing their Orifice Gate in 1978. They are currently an industry leader in manufacturing slide gates and diverter valves for the dry material handling industry. They currently offer fifteen major product lines. Processing Magazine recognized their new Seal Tite Gravity Diverter as a 2001 “Breakthrough Product of the Year”.
by Jim Beyers, Westwind Industries, and Salina Vortex. For more information on Orifice Gate Valves, contact Salina Vortex at 785-825-7177 or email vortex@svortex.com
PROCESSING Magazine's 2002 Powder Handling Handbook • March 2002
