PTFE-sleeved plug valves are trouble-free with H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/ in uranium recovery process
This article focuses on presenting a solution to Wyoming Mineral Corporation's problem of maintaining corrosion resistant, leaktight valves on manifold systems. The ion exhange system in automated valves must be able to be furnished with reliable actuators and positioners when used to supply acid to other units and when used to collect the acid solution of uranium salts for further processing in the recovery of uranium as a by product from an acidic leach water stream that has been used to extract copper from mine wastes. The solution to this problem was the installation of non-lubricated PTFE-sleeved plug valves made of alloy 20 which were specified for the corrosive service when the ion exchange system was installed in 1977. The locked-in PTFE sleeve provides a large seal area and reduced operating torque. The tapered plug within the PTFE sleeve assures positive shutoff, is designed for throttling control, and can be adjusted to compensate for wear. A reverse lip PTFE diaphragm seals the stem against leakage at line pressures to 720 psi, and leakage into the valve at vacuum to 1 micron. The 1 1/2'' valves were furnished with a pneumatic spring and diaphragm actuator, and a single acting rotary positioner. The PTFE-sleeved plug valves and controllers have met the performance requirements of positive shutoff and good throttling control with the corrosive acid since they were installed in 1977. They have been virtually maintenance-free with only occasional tightening of the adjuster, and no parts have needed replacement during the five years of service.
- Research Organization:
- Wyoming Mineral Corp., Bingham Canyon, UT
- OSTI ID:
- 6064692
- Journal Information:
- Chem. Process. (Chicago); (United States), Journal Name: Chem. Process. (Chicago); (United States) Vol. 45:12; ISSN CHPCA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
320303* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Industrial & Agricultural Processes-- Equipment & Processes
ACTINIDES
CLOSURES
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
CORROSION RESISTANCE
EFFICIENCY
ELEMENTS
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
EQUIPMENT
FLOW REGULATORS
FLUORINATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
HALOGENATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
METALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC FLUORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
POLYETHYLENES
POLYMERS
POLYOLEFINS
POLYTETRAFLUOROETHYLENE
RECOVERY
URANIUM
VALVES