The direct reduction of iron is a rapidly developing new technology that offers significant benefits to both producers and the environment. However, it provides many challenges to the suppliers of equipment in this market. Clyde Materials Handling has already been catering for this market sector with its injection technology so, when an application for a valve to handle material at temperatures in the region of 850°C was found necessary within the process, the suppliers turned to Clyde Materials Handling for the solution. Successful trials resulted in the supplier ordering nine high temperature Dome Valves. Based on the concept of the original Dome Valve, Clyde Materials Handling developed a new high-temperature valve incorporating a ball with a unique cooling system. Two sizes were supplied 100mm or 150mm in diameter and they weighed in at 700kg. To combat potential wear, Clyde came up with another unique feature for the valve – an internal, replaceable wear-resistant lining that can be replaced quickly, thus extending the life of the valve itself.
