What is the primary use of a pinch valve?

The primary use of a pinch valve is in slurry service. Pinch valves are designed to control the flow of viscous, abrasive, or slurry-type fluids where full line closure is necessary to handle such materials. They achieve this by pinching or collapsing the flexible body of the valve, thereby obstructing the flow, which is ideal for applications where conventional valves may struggle due to the nature of the media being transferred.

In the context of slurry applications, pinch valves are particularly advantageous because they minimize wear and tear on the internal components. The design allows the fluid to flow through the valve without direct contact with moving parts, which significantly enhances durability and prolongs the life of the valve in demanding environments. Moreover, they can be easily cleaned and maintained, making them suitable for handling solid particles suspended in liquids.

This capability differentiates pinch valves from those used for other purposes, such as water flow management, heating systems, or gas regulation, where different types of valves would typically be more effective based on their design and function.