Severe service valves for applications with high percentages of solids

The technology behind industrial applications such as fluids with high percentage solids continues to evolve, as do the corresponding regulations and specifications that ensure the safety of workers and the environment. Valves make up key aspects of this technology and often represent the single point of failure for entire operations. More often than not, the valves being used in high percentage solids applications are known as severe service valves (SSVs) due to their ability to withstand extreme conditions. Most experts agree that SSVs are identified by applications, and that these applications are challenging to the valve’s ability to provide a minimum acceptable level of performance over a minimum acceptable duration. This paper serves to determine what the minimum requirements are for SSVs in high percentage solids applications specifically concentrating on paste and thickened tailings.