Vortex supplied a solution for a failing maintenance gate from one of our competitors, which caused inefficiencies and downtime. Pelletized organic fertilizer provides an eco-friendly way to enrich soil with a slow, consistent release of vital nutrients. Its granular form allows for easy and uniform distribution, making it practical and effective for improving agricultural productivity while protecting the environment. One of our customers produces pelletized organic fertilizer from biosolids, nutrient-rich organic material recycled from wastewater treatment. These biosolids are carefully processed into dry, uniform pellets for easy storage, transport, and application. This sustainable approach not only supports healthy crop growth but also helps close the waste loop, turning a byproduct into a valuable resource. Solution for failing maintenance gate The customer was using a failing maintenance gate from one of our competitors to handle their pellets, which caused inefficiencies and downtime. They reached out to us for a better solution. Our Vortex representative, Ball Sales, and our application…

Improving coal handling efficiency with pivoting chute diverters at an Indonesian power plant The Vortex Pivoting Chute Diverter is an exceptional tool for managing coal. Crafted with meticulous precision, this diverter is designed to divert heavy-duty and abrasive dry bulk solid materials, such as coal, from one source to multiple destinations. This functionality is critical in gravity-fed applications, where efficient and reliable material flow control is non-negotiable. The introduction of the pivoting chute design has not only improved the flow rate but has also proven to be a better fit for the application. Additionally, the end user has expressed appreciation for the maintenance benefits offered by the pivoting chute diverter solution. Constructed from durable carbon steel, the body of the Pivoting Chute Diverter is built to withstand the rigors of heavy-duty and abrasive materials. Its robustness is further enhanced by replaceable abrasion-resistant wetted parts, which prolong the service life of the diverter and eliminate the need for complete replacement,…

Vortex Global is pleased to announce an exciting new chapter in its long-standing partnership with Pneuvay Engineering by designating them as the official representative for Vortex equipment in New Zealand. This strategic expansion builds on a trusted relationship that has flourished over several years, during which Pneuvay has successfully represented Vortex in Australia. Pneuvay has delivered tailored solutions for dry bulk solids handling to countless businesses, earning a strong reputation for reliability, expertise, and customer satisfaction. “Partnering with Pneuvay Engineering to expand into New Zealand is an exciting opportunity for Vortex,” said Laurence Millington, Global Managing Director at Vortex Global. “Our long and successful history with Pneuvay in Australia gives us full confidence in their ability to bring the same level of expertise and innovation to customers in New Zealand. Pneuvay’ s commitment to excellence and deep understanding of the bulk solids handling industry make them an ideal partner for this expansion.” This enhanced partnership ensures that Vortex customers in New Zealand will benefit from the same local expertise and…

Vortex Orifice Gate and the Vortex Roller Gate are popular solutions for handling dry bulk solid materials. Both are slide gates. When should you choose which one? Since their conception decades ago, the Vortex Orifice Gate and the Vortex Roller Gate have been two of Vortex’s most popular solutions for handling dry bulk solid materials. By their simplest definitions, both the Orifice Gate and the Roller Gate are slide gates. However, the application benefits for each gate can be quite different. Inlet & Outlet Shape * Orifice Gate – Round Inlet * Roller Gate – Square Inlet Gate Size Alterations can be made to both the Orifice Gate and Roller Gate to build custom gate sizes. This can impact the blade’s travel distance, stack-up height, and many other variables of gate construction. Consult Vortex’s application team to discuss modifications that may/may not be made to accommodate your installation requirements. Conveyance Type The Roller Gate should only be used in gravity flow applications. If a system has pneumatic processes or differential air pressures within the system at any point, often times, a Roller…

Together, Vortex Global and Larus Projekt are proud to partner in delivering innovative, world-class solutions for all your dry materials handling needs across parts of Southeast Europe. Vortex Global Limited, a leader in solids and bulk handling components, is excited to announce Larus Projekt as its new representative agent for Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Kosovo. This partnership aims to strengthen Vortex’s presence across these regions by leveraging Larus Projekt’s extensive industry expertise and forward-thinking approach. About Larus Projekt Based in Zagreb, Croatia, Larus Projekt is a privately-owned company established in 2003 by Lovro Bosnic, a professional with decades of experience in the oil and gas sector. Over the past 20 years, Larus Projekt has built a strong reputation by collaborating with leading technology suppliers across a wide range of industries, including oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, minerals, power production (thermal, gas, nuclear), food processing, and animal feed. Known for their reliability and deep industry knowledge, Larus Projekt has developed an impressive portfolio and…

GNV Enterprise, established in 2019, has rapidly positioned itself as a leader in technological innovation. Vortex Global, a leader in dry bulk handling solutions across a wide variety of industries, is pleased to announce the appointment of GNV Enterprise as its new representative for the African continent. This strategic partnership marks a significant step in Vortex Global’s mission to expand its reach and offer cutting-edge solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of customers across Africa. “During our initial discussions with GNV, it became evident that their extensive knowledge of industries across Africa would be an invaluable asset to Vortex Global.” Laurence Millington, Managing Director of the Vortex International Team, noted, “GNV’s deep insights into various African industries highlight their potential to greatly benefit Vortex Global.” GNV Enterprise, established in 2019, has rapidly positioned itself as a leader in technological innovation. Their commitment to reliability, effectiveness, and cost efficiency has enabled them to provide solutions…

The largest Flex Tube Diverter Vortex has designed that is fully ATEX rated, used to feed Microcrystalline Cellulose. A nutrition manufacturing company in Ireland selected a 200mm (8”) Vortex Flex Tube Diverter to feed Microcrystalline Cellulose from a rotary valve and silo above the diverter and then into three positive pressure lines. This is the largest Flex Tube Diverter Vortex has designed that is fully ATEX rated, including the hose assembly. This Flex Tube Diverter features a 304 stainless steel body with 316 stainless steel material contact areas. Additionally, material contact components are 2B (32RA) finished. The valve includes 150# ANSI flanges on both the inlets and outlets. The air cylinder is epoxy coated with A2 stainless steel fasteners.

Vortex will demonstrate the Pivoting Chute Diverter at Powtech 2022, Hall 4, Stand 108, 27-29 September, in Nürnberg, Germany. Vortex developed the gravity-flow Pivoting Chute Diverter (PCD) for abrasive materials such as industrial sand, limestone, coal, gypsum, clinker, gravel, bauxite and minerals. The diverter body houses an internal chute that pivots to direct the material flow. The main advantage of the PCD is that there are no internal seals to maintain. The chute addresses material abrasion and can be constructed of, or lined, with wear resistant materials (e.g. chromium carbide, abrasion-resistant steel, or ceramic). Inspection, maintenance, or repairs to the diverter may be performed from the front access panel – without removing the diverter from service. The PCD is dust-tight to atmosphere, may be shifted “on-the-fly”, and is available in 2-way and 3-way configurations. The chute may be positioned to split flow to both directions simultaneously. Other…

Handling spices can be a complex process offering a variety of challenges. Among the primary concerns when handling these ingredients are dusting to atmosphere and viscosity of the materials being handled. These businesses can mitigate potentially detrimental effects by purchasing dust-tight valves for their facilities. Many dust-tight valves designed today feature hard polymers as a sealing surface, because they offer a superior seal and better wear characteristics for most applications. A spice company handling paprika, selected a 100mm (4”) Vortex Wye Line Diverter to eliminate material cross contamination accompanied by several 500mm (20”) Vortex Roller Gates to shut off and seal material at the bottom of dry blenders and mixers. Features include magnetic reed switches and stainless-steel material contact surfaces and rollers. The Wye Line Diverter is bespoken to eliminate cross contamination with the line being purged between batches. These valves…

A construction company in Sonora, Mexico, contacted Vortex in 2021 to source a chute diverter strong enough to handle the abrasion from limestone processing. Vortex supplied two 400mm (16”) Pivoting Chute Diverters (PCD) each weighing 500 kg (1103 lbs). Lime and limestone are handled through these diverters. The Vortex PCDs are designed to divert heavy-duty and/or abrasive dry bulk solid materials from one source toward two or three destinations in gravity-fed applications. The Vortex Pivoting Chute Diverter offers in-line maintenance features, durable materials of construction, reduced downtime, prolonged service life and many other significant advantages over flap diverters and bucket diverters. The diverters were installed last year, and the client says their process is performing great.

In this application, 50mm (2”) Vortex Wye Line Diverters are included on a factory piece of equipment that acts as a multi-tool machine used for building airplane parts. As holes are drilled to fasten sheet metal, the diverter is used as part of a vacuum system to pull away shavings. The shavings are routed through the straight leg to reduce wear and the off leg pulls to clean air. The straight leg is opposite the air cylinder to fit better in the client’s process. * These specific Wye Line Diverters feature Teflon pressure plates. * Aluminium valve body with live loaded, wear compensating seals with a 304 stainless steel blade. * Inlet and outlet weldments are constructed from carbon steel. Material contact is carbon steel, 304 stainless steel and polymer. * Inlet has a straight through conveying line design for easier ”in line” installation of multiple diverters. * PET pressure plates are backed with a foam void filler and live loaded natural rubber…

The Vortex Seal Tite Diverter is well-designed for handling fine materials in gravity flow applications, and provides positive material shut-off with dust-tight sealing capabilities. Based in Cheshire, UK, Tata Chemicals Europe is one of Europe’s leading producers of sodium carbonate, salt and sodium bicarbonate, among other products. Tata Chemicals is the only manufacturer of soda ash and sodium bicarbonate in the UK. Their high-quality soda ash is used in the manufacture of glass, detergents and chemicals, and in several other industry applications. Their many grades of sodium bicarbonate have applications ranging from haemodialysis and pharmaceuticals, to food and animal feed, flue gas treatments, detergents and personal care products. Tata Chemicals’ Lostock site, located in Northwich, Cheshire, has multiple manufacturing processes, including bulk storage, bulk material discharge, and transfer of anhydrous sodium carbonate. This is a material with a fine particle size, with a certain percentage less than 63 micron. In the problem area of the process, materials are transported via a bucket elevator and diverted into either of two chain…

This five-way Wye Line Diverter manufactured by Vortex Global is being used by a vinyl extruder to handle CPVC. Material flows from one source to five destinations. CPVC (Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride) is a thermoplastic produced from chlorination of polyvinyl chloride resin. Previously, this client had to manually switch lines with their old system. The new automated process saves a significant amount of time in their process. The wye line diverters are constructed of 304 stainless steel. A ceramic backing is applied to the high wear areas of the interconnecting tubing to significantly improve the wear life. Three units were installed and the client is preparing to source a fourth in their facility.

20" (508 mm) Vortex Roller Gate with electropolished 304 stainless steel blade to handle sticky materials. This 20" (508 mm) Vortex Roller Gate features a valve body constructed of 6061-T6 aluminum with a 304 stainless steel blade and seal retainers. Material contact is 304 stainless steel and polymer. PET side seals and upper and lower bonnet seals are live loaded and silicone rubber backed. The valve blade is electropolished to handle sticky materials. The valve features a fail-safe closed assembly for operation of valve one-time on loss of air supply. Upon electrical failure and a loss of plant air, the single solenoid valve will shift, allowing the compressed air to flow from the reserved tank, through the solenoid valve to the double acting air cylinder closing the gate.

The new location is in the heart of downtown Shanghai and will serve Vortex’s customers in China and a variety of countries on the Asian continent. As COVID-19 restrictions ease, Vortex Asia-Pacific, a solids and bulk handling components company, is pleased to announce it has reopened a physical office location in Shanghai, China. The new location is in the heart of downtown Shanghai and will serve Vortex’s customers in China and a variety of countries on the Asian continent. “We are extremely pleased that we can start to move on from the past 18 months and that our Asia-Pacific customers are getting all the support they need from our new Shanghai office and Tony Zhang,” said Laurence Millington, managing director at VortexGlobal. Vortex Asia-Pacific was established in 2009. Now in its 12th year, the Asia-Pacific office is responsible for the corporation’s many business activities occurring throughout China, Hong Kong, Macau, Mongolia, and Taiwan. In addition to the Shanghai office, Vortex’s American headquarters is located in Salina, Kansas and the company staffs additional international…

The flow of Sorbitol, a sweetener used in foods, oral care products and pharmaceuticals, is sometimes hard to stop. A Vortex Roller Gate is fit for this task. A client who manufactures chocolate, candy and chewing gum in the United Kingdom had a special application for a roller gate. In this application, the dual cylinder Vortex Roller Gate would be used to stop the material flow of sorbitol in the client’s process. Sorbitol is a sweetener used in foods, oral care products and pharmaceuticals. This Vortex Roller Gate was designed with double-acting air cylinder actuators and was constructed with a 150mm (6”) special service inlet to match the customer’s pattern. The valve body is 6061-T6 aluminum with a 304 stainless steel blade and seal retainers. Material contact is 304 stainless steel and polymer. The valve blade is electropolished to address the stickiness of the product being handled. The air cylinders are equipped with magno-pistons for use with magnetic reed position indication switches. Milled access slots in the side frame allows removal and replacement of bonnet seals while the gate remains in service.

The Vortex Titan Slide Gate consists of a heavy-duty carbon steel frame with 304 stainless steel blade. Material contact is 304 stainless steel and polymer. These valves will be utilised in a feed system that comprises of two Titan Gate Valves, separated by an intermediate feed hopper. The valves will operate in tandem to facilitate semi-continuous feeding of solid waste pet material via a feed hopper into a feed trough. The valves are designed to handle feedstock up to 50mm to a design temperature of 205° C and are ATEX rated. This 600mm rectangular Vortex Titan Slide Gate features a heavy-duty valve frame construction based on formed carbon steel channel with a beveled, 304 stainless steel blade and liner. Material contact is 304 stainless steel and polymer. Access in the valve frame allows for removal and replacement of bonnet seals while the gate remains in service. The gate is actuated by an epoxy-coated, double acting air cylinder equipped with a magnetic ring which activates a magnetic position indicating switch.

A bourbon distillery needed a method to control the flow of grains into the cookers. The Vortex Handslide Gates were instrumental in introducing milled corn, malt, and rye to the start of the distilling process in this plant. The Handslide Gates are manually operated process gates used to control flow on the inlet/outlet of hoppers, bins or totes in applications where powered gates are not feasible or desired. The manual double-handles are accessible on both ends for an effective push-pull operation. The frame, flanges and safety cover on these 101 mm (4”) gates are made from aluminium, while the blade and all material contact areas are made from 304 stainless steel and polymer.

For the corrosive nature of the material handled all internal areas of the valve are Halar coated. Material contact is 316L stainless steel, polymer, and rubber. In this application, the customer specified Halar coating on a 254 mm (10”) Vortex Seal Tite Diverter over other liner options due to past success with this product on chutes and other equipment they have in service. All internal areas were Halar coated to address the corrosive nature of the material being handled. The valve body, with a straight through flow design and one offset leg, is made from 316L stainless steel. Material contact is 316L stainless steel, polymer, and rubber. The valve has a removable access cover for quick inline service or cleaning without removing the valve from the line. The customer also requested an epoxy coated double acting air cylinder to protect from chemical corrosion. The epoxy coat is a more economical option and requires a shorter lead time than a stainless steel air cylinder. The piston rod, tie rod and tie rod nuts are stainless steel.

In this application, a Danish producer of animal protein solutions for the food and beverage industry will utilize seven four-way Vortex Wye Line Diverters to divert the flow of protein pulver in the production of food products. The Vortex Wye Line Diverter features an aluminum valve body with live-loaded, wear-compensating seals with a 304 stainless steel blade. Inlet and outlet weldments are constructed from 304 stainless steel and material contact areas are 304 stainless steel and polymer. The inlet features a straight-through conveying line design for easier “in-line” installation of multiple diverters. The diverter’s double acting air cylinder actuator is equipped with a magno-piston for use with magnetic reed position indication switches.

Vortex supplied two 3-Way Seal Tite Diverters with an opening of 500 mm x 750 mm and a weight 544 kg, powered by explosion-proof electric actuators. Two identical Vortex 3-Way Seal Tite Diverters were bespoked to divert soybeans from a screw conveyor to a load out station in a grain elevator in The Netherlands. The large diverter opening is 500 mm x 750 mm and weighs 544 kg. The two blades inside this Seal Tite Diverter are each powered by explosion-proof, quarter-turn electric actuators (380V/3PH/50HZ). While the blades and valve body are constructed from carbon steel, the material contact areas contain replaceable abrasion resistant, steel liners (400 BHN). A side panel allows access to the diverter interior for inspection or maintenance without having to remove the diverter from place. The inlet flange matches the customer’s custom bolt-hole pattern.

Based in North Scarle, Lincolnshire, UK, Grove Pet Foods is a respected manufacturer of high-quality pet foods. Grove Pet Foods has complete control over the manufacturing process from raw materials entering the site to distribution of finished packs, they can provide an unrivaled range of scientifically formulated recipes to satisfy all species and breeds. This client’s manufacturing process includes bulk storage, bulk material discharge and transfer of raw material for pet food production. The client had a need to replace a flap type diverter valve which had been in service for a considerable period of time. The existing diverter valve had reached the end of its service life and was difficult to clean and maintain due to its design. The new diverter design had to cope with a variety of sticky and abrasive feed material, with easy access for cleaning and maintainability, whilst being fast acting to allow reject material from a metal detector to be diverted out…

A Vortex client produces various types of flour that need to be conveyed throughout the bakery, but with no cross-contamination. In this application, a Vortex Multiport Flex Tube Diverter was designed with (2) Two-Way Vortex Flex Tube Diverters and (2) Three-Way Vortex Flex Tube Diverters to pneumatically convey flour from four origins to six destinations. The Multiport configuration is actuated using a double acting air cylinder. The Flex Tube design ensures there is no cross-contamination between the differing grades, or batches, of flour. All material contact areas of the Flex Tube Diverter are constructed from aluminium or rubber. The 130mm hose is constructed from rubber approved by the food industry. Each diverter features a viewing window and a removeable access panel. The Multiport Diverter is rated for continuous service in 82° C.

An automotive industry plastics manufacturer contacted Vortex Global because they needed to replace a cumbersome hose manifold system with an automated process. The system was used to convey different grades and colors of plastic pellets from individual storage bins into an extruder, where the pellets were heated and molded into automotive parts. For this plastics manufacturer, the process of conveying plastic pellets was a production and safety ordeal. The hoses took space on the production floor, employees had to be aware of the constant relocation of the hoses, and production slowed as hoses were relocated to different source bins. On occasion, hoses were connected to the wrong source bin, causing the extruded parts to be made with the improper materials – therefore creating waste. The company had installed Vortex Wye Line Diverters in other parts of their facility earlier with great success. They were pleased with the valves’ performance and the lifecycle…

This hydraulically actuated Vortex Titan-Lined Diverter features a 2690mm x 405mm transition that feeds dolomitic limestone rock to a 1220 mm x 405 mm diverter inlet and two 915mm x 405 mm outlets. Material contact areas (3 sides) contain replaceable abrasion-resistant steel liners (400 BHN). An “A-style” AR blade covers and protects the blade shaft from wear and abrasion. Two inspection ports are mounted on the inlet transition and the diverter internals are accessible through a removable cover on the actuator side. The diverter will be mounted, tilted at a 37-degree slope (actuator side up), to become part of a chute. Lifting lugs have been added to assist with the installation.

For UK Animal Bedding Production Facility Arden Wood Shavings located in Solihull, England, is one of the leading suppliers of wood shavings and sawdust bedding to the poultry, equestrian, dairy and animal bedding sectors. Application: The Client’s particular process was using the valves to isolate conveyors in their fully automated production facility. Challenges: The Client had experienced problems with the existing valve located on the outlet of their inclined conveyor. The existing valve leaked material and was difficult to maintain. The new Roller Gate valve had to be specifically designed to match the opening, bolt hole pattern and overall height of the existing valve to minimize plant downtime during installation. It included an oversized pneumatic cylinder to assist in closing through material flow. As the valve was installed at an angle and would see more material flow on one side, the blade guide rollers were upgraded to be a more durable stainless-steel construction. Vortex was able to achieve…

The Acre Road facility at the University of Glasgow houses a variety of wind tunnel and flow generation devices, including two low-speed wind tunnels, vacuum chambers, and a range of high-speed facilities. The industrial scale set up contains specialised equipment for aerospace and aerodynamics research. The University of Glasgow was one of seven UK universities sharing £13.3 million from the Engineering and Physical Research Council (EPSRC) and the UK Aerodynamics Centre to form the National Wind Tunnel Facility (NWTF). The funding was used to upgrade the James Watt School of Engineering’s four existing wind tunnels, introducing a gust facility and “state-of-the-art” diagnostic equipment. The upgraded tunnels will help with the development of key technologies in the wind energy sector and with research in areas of aerospace such as rotorcraft. The refurbished centre is a key facility in the UK where researchers can investigate and develop vehicles and other…

In this application, Trona Ore is routed through various processes where it becomes soda ash and baking soda. Titan Gravity Vee Diverter features a dual cylinder design where pneumatic cylinders are located on either side of the outlet instead of one cylinder at the end of the gate. This design shortens the gate’s overall length, allowing for easier installation in tight quarters. Each gate is independently actuated, providing added flexibility to the operation. Both gates can be closed. One gate can be open while the other is closed. Both gates can be open to allow flow to both destinations simultaneously. Wetted parts are constructed of abrasion resistant steel (400 BHN) to address material wear.

A flour miller in the United Kingdom had experienced problems with its existing valves located on the outlet of their bulk storage silos. The valves, used to isolate the silos from an ongoing conveyor, leaked material and failed to fully open and close. They required constant maintenance and replacement parts with subsequent lost production. The new valves had to be specifically designed to match the opening, bolt hole pattern, and overall height of the existing valves to minimize plant downtime during installation. Vortex was able to achieve all of the required parameters. The Vortex Roller Gate was identified as the ideal solution for this application. The Roller Gate is designed for handling powders, pellets and granules in gravity flow and low-pressure applications. Features: The Vortex Roller Gate has a number of key features and benefits including: •Positive seal of dust and fine powders. •No exposed moving parts. •Wear-compensating hard polymer seals. •Seals…

Handling: Coffee Beans, Green and Roasted Location: Coffee Supplier & Distributor Application: Roller Gates and Three-Way Seal Tite Diverters were implemented in a conveying system to support the movement of green and roasted coffee beans. Features: The customer is currently only using the middle outlet of the Seal Tite Diverters. The two outside legs are blanked off for future expansion if necessary. The Roller Gates feature Infinite Variable Positioners (IVPs) to allow material flow control capabilities on both the opening and closing strokes. IVPs are highly accurate. When automated, the IVP can actuate in increments of +/- 2%. When manually controlled, the IVP can actuate in increments of +/- 4%. Both products are serviceable while in-line allowing for ease of maintenance and minimal downtime.

In 1996, Vortex worked with Alltech, an animal health company, to assist with the handling of grain at their facility. Application: The client’s specifications include: •Quantity: 2 Vortex Roller Gates •Gate Size: 660 mm opening •Blade & seal retainers constructed from 304 stainless steel •Contact areas constructed from 304 stainless steel & polymer Results: Since their installation in 1996, these Vortex Roller Gates have required very limited maintenance other than the replacement of a set of bonnet seals on one of the gates. “After 24 years of service, we needed to pull one of the gates as it began leaking around the seal,” said Robert Stuart, Maintenance & Facilities Manager at Alltech. “After dismantling the valve, we were awestruck on how well it looked and held up over the past 24 years as our products are abrasive and have severely worn down many other pieces of equipment over the years.” The Vortex Roller Gate is designed with several replaceable…

A Feed Mill contacted Vortex to help them control material dust in their facility. They were using a method where material would free-fall into the individual retaining areas, creating a massive dust storm and potential employee health issues. A wheel loader transports the feed ingredients from the stockpile to a mixer. From there, the material is pelleted, bagged, and stored on pallets ready for shipments. Vortex supplied six telescoping loading spouts for the Feed Mill. Each spout is 508 mm across and equipped with double layer, trapezoidal shaped dust skirts that encompasses the peak of the material pile – containing the dust as material is stockpiled. An external tilt probe signals the Auto-Raise System and manages the spout’s retraction process (keeping the dust skirt on the material and preventing material build-up in the spout) as the pile grows.

Ball valve replaced by heavy duty gate An acetylene gas manufacturer contacted Vortex for advice to handle calcium carbide in their facility. Calcium carbide and acetylene gas react with one another to create oxyacetylene gas. This gas is used to fuel a very high temperature flame, which allows welding fabricators to weld and cut metal. The manufacturer was discharging batches of dry calcium carbide from one pressurized holding vessel into another. The batch was then fed into a reactor, where it was mixed with water to produce acetylene gas. Previously, the client used a ball valve in this process. Unfortunately, calcium carbide would build up inside the ball valve making the valve difficult to actuate. Two operators and a breaker bar were required to manually open and close the ball valve. This process was time-consuming and a safety hazard. The replacement valve would require: •The ability to close on dry solid materials. •Sealing gas in a pressurized system (12 psi | 0.8 bar) In most valve designs,…

A company who had never purchased any products from Vortex called to inquire about the iris valve they saw advertised. They had used iris valves from two different manufacturers and had not been comfortable with either company’s pricing or valve mechanics. The company was looking to convey abrasive glass powder from beneath a tote system. Vortex’s challenge was to convince the customer that not all iris valves are manufactured similarly. The application for the valve was an installation beneath a tote handling powdered glass. The customer had experimented with different sleeve materials and found that a urethane-coated sleeve gave them longer wear with their abrasive powder. They also liked Vortex’s infinite position design, since the flow rate of powder was frequently changed as it was discharged from the bin. As the company was not acquainted with Vortex, the sales engineer handling the inquiry suggested they purchase a single 30cm iris valve with the infinite…

The bookmaking process requires individual sheets of paper be stitched into a spine and cover. The resulting stack of paper is then trimmed so that all pages are perfectly aligned with each other. The paper trimmings must then be collected for disposal or recycling. A printing company contacted Vortex searching for a method to convey the wasted materials away from the trimmer through a vacuum system toward two collection points. When conveying material away from the trimmer, each type of trimming poses an issue. The individual strips of paper are light and can be conveyed long distances through a dedicated line. The spine pieces are heavier and can only be conveyed shorter distances. Previously, the company was able to run a direct line to transfer paper strips toward the bailer, but sometimes the long strips of paper collected in various areas of the diverter, causing it to seize up and not work properly. The spine pieces also had to be removed from the trimmer by…

A Bauxite refinery contacted Vortex to source a gate to feed alumina trihydrate into a furnace. They needed a gate that could withstand the high temperatures from the furnace. Vortex engineered a Titan Slide Gate that features: •A surface finished with high temperature-resistant paint. •Seals constructed from bronze and graphite fiberglass to handle temperature spikes up 315⁰ C (600⁰ F). •A beveled blade constructed from 400 Brinell Hardness Number (BHN) abrasion-resistant steel. •A three-phase electric linear actuator that delivers the force required to close through a standing column of material, if necessary. In the case of an electrical loss, the actuator is also equipped with a manual hand wheel override. Alumina trihydrate is a white, odorless, powdery substance. It is primarily used in aluminum metal production, but is also used in epoxy, urethane and polyester resins as a smoke suppressant and flame retardant filler. Approximately 100 million…

The conveying and storage of sugar create many potential problems. Moisture absorption is a major issue. Moisture causes sugar to cling to itself and everything it touches. This, in turn, creates flow as well as equipment actuation problems. Because sugar absorbs moisture easily, lowering the relative humidity in the conveying line with a desiccant dehumidifier aids in allowing the sugar to be transported dry throughout the system, easing moisture issues. Material velocity within the conveying line, and even a change in seasons, are other factors to consider. When applying diverter valves for sugar applications, Vortex sales engineers recommend the Vortex Flex Tube Diverter. This specialized diverter features a sliding port that allows material to travel straight through the valve, with no exposed blades or off-leg cavities. This design eliminates the potential for trapped material. A flexible tube made of stainless steel or rubber directs material unimpeded through…

Last year, a tea & coffee merchant in the United Kingdom contacted Vortex Global to discuss a process need. Various types of tea leaves were being fed into a blending drum. Because tea leaves have explosive potential, a solution was needed to control fine material particulate. As tea processing is also held to the highest food and beverage safety standards, the solution must also be compliant with these regulations. Features: This Vortex retractable spout is actuated pneumatically by three Vortex air cylinders, replacing the Vortex Loading Spout’s standard electric motor and 4-cable hoist drive system. For beverage safety, the spout’s material contact areas are constructed from 304 stainless steel, with all welds ground and polished to a 52RA/#3 finish. The spout utilises a stainless steel tube-in-tube design, with all welds ground and polished to a #3 finish (52RA). The blue neoprene-coated outer sleeve is ATEX-approved and is static dissipative to address the…

Powtech 2019 hall 4, stand 186 Vortex will display several products at Powtech 2019, Hall 4, Stand 186, 9 till 11 of April, in Nürnberg, Germany. Vortex’s Titan Series slide gates and diverters are valves engineered for heavy duty material handling applications that pose additional abrasion or wear issues to the valve. Some of the materials handled with Vortex Titan valves include alumina, bauxite, cement, clinker, coal, fly ash, frac sand, gravel, glass cullet, lime, limestone, metal powders, potash and sand. The Titan TLD Diverter offers replaceable wear liners for added abrasion resistance and removable access panels for internal inspection, cleaning or maintenance. The Titan TSG Gate handles dry material in gravity flow applications where positive material shut-off and dust tight sealing is required. Vortex’s Aggregate Diverter has optional inlets, chute liners, and bucket liners that extend the life of the valve when handling abrasive materials. Vortex Loading Solutions provide…

Powtech 2019 hall 4, stand 186 Vortex will display several products at Powtech 2019, Hall 4, Stand 186, 26-28 September, in Nürnberg, Germany. Vortex’s Titan Series slide gates and diverters are valves engineered for heavy duty material handling applications that pose additional abrasion or wear issues to the valve. Some of the materials handled with Vortex Titan valves include alumina, bauxite, cement, clinker, coal, fly ash, frac sand, gravel, glass cullet, lime, limestone, metal powders, potash and sand. The Titan TLD Diverter offers replaceable wear liners for added abrasion resistance and removable access panels for internal inspection, cleaning or maintenance. The Titan TSG Gate handles dry material in gravity flow applications where positive material shut-off and dust tight sealing is required. Vortex’s Aggregate Diverter has optional inlets, chute liners, and bucket liners that extend the life of the valve when handling abrasive…

In 2017, a pasta company consulted Vortex to consider improvements to their flour transfer The Process Various grades of flour are pneumatically conveyed and diverted from a main supply line into eight silos. Each of the eight silos feed separate production lines, with each line producing a different type of pasta. The client used a manual hose switching station to route materials from the main supply line into each silo individually. The manual hose switching station presented many disadvantages, including: Labor-intensive – Because it was a manual switching process, an operator had to physically decouple, reposition and recouple the flexible hose. Further complicating this process, the operator had to climb and shuffle across a narrow catwalk each time the hose was repositioned. Safety – A ratcheting tool was used to move the hose through a horizontal plane. Because the tool is used as a hand-operated winch, tension between moving parts can cause the mechanisms to fail – which is an operator safety concern. Profitability – As…

A global pharmaceutical company was looking for a gate to shut off and control the flow of different ingredients into a dry blender. But the gate needed to adhere to the company’s specifications. • The slide gate must provide a positive seal of materials across the gate and to atmosphere. • All metal and polymer materials of construction must be health compliant. • The slide gate must be able to limit initial material flow as the gate is opened, so that downstream equipment is not “flooded.” • The gate’s inlets and outlets must match with existing equipment. The solution was to install a Vortex Clear Action Gate with a Variable Position Open (VPO) assembly. In addition to a superior material seal across the gate and to atmosphere, the Clear Action Gate “self cleans” its seals on the closing stroke. Traditional slide gates jam and pack material into an end seal upon closure. Alternatively, the Clear Action Gate does not seat into an end…

Several years ago, Adams Industrievertretungen – a representative agent for Vortex Global – was approached by a systems group to discuss a new original equipment manufacturer (OEM) opportunity. This particular systems group specializes in the design and construction of roasters and other coffee processing systems. Typically, this systems group would construct their own simple gate valves for use in their coffee roasting systems. But after attending an exhibition where Vortex products were on display, they became interested in Vortex design. In particular, they were impressed with the Orifice Gate. With that, the systems group contacted Adams Industrievertretungen to request a trial order of Vortex Orifice Gates, to be integrated within their coffee roasting systems. Quantity: 2 Vortex Orifice Gates • Size: 200 mm • Designed for indoor service • Gate body constructed from painted carbon steel • Gate blade & material contact areas constructed from…

Last spring, Vortex consulted with a horse feed producer to assist with a process need. At this facility, the client is producing forage cubes. Upstream in the process, bales of hay are broken down and minor ingredients are added before the raw materials are formed into cubes (approximate size: 75 – 100 mm square). Once formed, the cubes are transferred into cloth silos. Below each silo, a common belt conveyor transfers forage cubes to a packaging line, where they are loaded into bulk bags. Vortex was tasked with identifying a solution for discharging forage cubes out of the cloth silos, down onto the belt conveyor. Primarily, the client is concerned with forage cube quality and thus, the cubes cannot be damaged upon gate closure. Upon careful analysis of the application, the Vortex Roller Gate was recommended. The client sourced this small-batch order as part of the “proofing” stage of its new production process. Now installed in their application,…

In this client’s application, the Vortex HDPV2 is installed alongside a second pre-existing slide gate. The two gates operate in tandem to be used as a diverter. The HDPV2 is 355 mm per the client’s request. The HDPV2 is capable of handling material temperatures up to 121°C continuous service, with modifications available to accommodate material temperatures up to 232°C. Thus, material temperatures were not a concern. Though cement powder can be abrasive, the HDPV2 has proven capable of handling this material. Therefore, material characteristics were not a concern. In this application, a greater concern was convey line pressure. Although the 356 mm HDPV2 valve is capable of sealing against convey line pressures up to 3.10 barg, there was initial concern that if both gates were closed at once, undue stress may be put on the HDPV2 and could test the gate’s sealing capabilities. The client assured at least one gate would be open at all times; therefore,…

Flour Milling Company in East Jawa, Indonesia It is not unusual for a flour mill to have problems with in-line flap diverters when installed in a pneumatic conveying system. The soft seals around the flap are exposed to direct blast abrasion from grist or wheat flour. This can create significant pressure drops in the conveying system, as well as line plugs once product is allowed to pass through the closed leg of the diverter. A flour milling company was experiencing these problems with the in-line flap diverters purchased when the mill was built. The product leakage from the diverters was creating conveying inefficiencies and significant downtime to uninstall the flap diverter and remove line plugs. The milling company decided to install Vortex Wye Line Diverters, which are ideally designed to overcome common problems associated with in-line flap diverters. The wye line design features a stainless steel sliding blade while maintaining a positive seal when the ports are closed. The diverter is also capable…

Vortex’s client previously utilised a flapper diverter to handle baking flour. This was problematic because, depending on the position of the blade, material was constantly flowing through one of the outlets. With the Vortex Gravity Vee Diverter, materials can flow toward either outlet individually, both outlets simultaneously, or both closed for material shut-off. This dual cylinder Gravity Vee Diverter was manufactured from 316 stainless steel. The inlet contains a 610mm round hopper and the outlets are transitioned to match the install footprint. The diverter’s dual cylinder design is intended for use in limited space installations. By side-mounting the actuators, the gate’s overall length is shortened by a third.

A pet food manufacturer needed to divert kibble dry food from a feeder into one of two disc conveyors, which transports the kibbles to the packaging line. Vortex engineered several 254mm Seal Tite Diverters constructed from stainless steel for the pet food company. The four Vortex Seal Tite Diverters feature a removable access door that allows inspection, maintenance and repairs to be performed without removing the diverter from service. The Seal Tite Diverters also feature removable parts. For return-on-investment purposes, this feature is beneficial because it allows for the replacement of worn parts, rather than full diverter replacement. The Seal Tite Diverters are designed so that the leading edge of the blade actuates into a recessed area. This protects the blade’s seals from the material flow stream, which would otherwise cause them to wear and allow material leakage into the closed diverter leg. The client is very pleased with the performance…

Like the Quantum Series Orifice Gate, the Vortex Quick Clean Orifice Gate provides a positive seal for fine powders and is dust-tight to atmosphere. It also mechanically self-cleans on the opening stroke. With a full-port opening, the Quick Clean Orifice Gate allows unrestricted material flow. Especially beneficial for food & beverage manufacturers, the Quick Clean Orifice Gate can either be fully opened or closed, or be configured with one of Vortex’s four material flow control assemblies. The Infinite Variable Positioner (IVP), Adjustable Variable Positioner (AVP), Variable Position Closed (VPC) and Variable Position Open (VPO) assemblies each allow a gate’s blade to be stopped at midpoints to create highly accurate and replicable batches. Most importantly, the Quick Clean Orifice Gate can be easily removed and reinstalled into the process line. Once the gate is removed from service, quick-lock bolts along the lateral aspect of the gate can be loosened without…

Special slide gates were required for this application. Because of the solvent nature of vapors created in the mix tank below, it was unacceptable for the sourced valve to feature silicone rubber seals. In addition, all switches and solenoids had to be rated for hazardous duty (NEMA 7/9). The Vortex HDPV2 Gate met each of these requirements. The gate’s unique “lifting” action of the blade seating into a top-mounted o-ring offers many advantages over traditional knife gate valves that pack and jam material into an end seal. A Class II / Div. 1 pre-wired terminal box was also provided to meet the client’s hazardous duty standards. Two years after installation, one of the gates was handling red pigment when it experienced a slight blade sticking problem. To solve the issue, Vortex supplied quick exhaust valves that were installed on the gate’s air cylinder actuator to increase the speed of the gate’s opening stroke.

Automated Multiport diverter system for pneumatic transport saves 21,000 manual acts

As of December 2017, Vortex Global Limited has been certified to the ISO 9001:2015 standard. Vortex Global’s parent company, Salina Vortex Corporation, made a recent announcement that it too had obtained ISO 9001:215 certification. Previously, Vortex Global was certified under the ISO 9001:2008 standard, and has been ISO-certified since its establishment in 2007. ISO 9001 is an international standard that specifies requirements for a management system. By gaining ISO 9001:2015 certification, ISO 9001 acknowledges that Vortex Global has demonstrated the ability to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and regulatory requirements. In essence, the ISO 9001 standard acknowledges Vortex Global’s credibility as a reliable and consistent supplier of material handling equipment and technical services to the dry bulk solids industry. Among the major changes of ISO 9001:2015 was a transition of emphasis from “preventative actions” and “required…

Wye Line Diverters Handling Flour Pre-Mix Client: A national doughnut chain. Valve Size: •Vortex Cross-Over Wye Line Diverter: 6 in. (152 mm) •Vortex Four-Way Wye Line Diverters (qty. 2): 6 in. (152 mm) Features (Cross-Over Wye Line Diverter): •Diverter body constructed from stainless steel. •Material contact areas constructed from stainless steel. •Straight leg diverting design. Features (Four-Way Wye Line Diverters): •Diverter body constructed from stainless steel. •Material contact areas constructed from stainless steel. Application: Pneumatically convey various grades of flour from two sources toward any of eight destinations, for packing. Challenge: Rather than a hose manifold station, automate the process of switching convey paths for materials traveling toward several packing stations. Results: The client’s desired automation was found in Vortex Wye Line Diverters.  In this client’s process, various grades of flour mix arrive via bulk container…

Vortex Global Limited, a solids and bulk handling components company, has been recognised with the Materials Handling Engineers’ Association (MHEA) Excellence Award for Supplier of the Year. The MHEA Excellence Award for Supplier of the Year is intended to recognise companies who have made significant impact on customer successes through outstanding customer service, robust product offerings, excellent product quality, or has exceeded expectations in the bulk materials handling industry. Vortex was nominated by LeBlansch Bulkhandling Equipment B.V. for their excellent collaboration during a recent project for PPG Industries Chemicals. In reflection on the project, Jan Le Blansch, owner of LeBlansch Bulk Handling Equipment BV, said: “Vortex has always strived to offer the correct equipment for even the most challenging applications put forward – while at the same time, continuing to provide quality components of a high standard. We have been working…

Customer: Plastic pipe manufacturer Features: Two 2-way Vortex Wye Line Diverters with air actuation & Ceram-Back inlets. For outdoor use in a pneumatic conveying system. Application: Find a solution to divert PVC resin toward several extrusion lines, while minimizing wear and abrasion at the valve. Results: The wye line diverters were installed separately to support two different conveying lines. Each diverter was fed by its own hopper (two hoppers, in total). Once resin reaches the diverter, it can be directed from one inlet toward either of two locations (1-to-2 configuration). In total, the two wye line diverters can supply materials toward four separate extrusion lines. Because PVC resin can have abrasive material characteristics, the customer expressed concern for abrasion and wear – particularly to the valve body. To compensate for wear, the valve was strengthened with ceramic backing at the diverter’s inlet. This prolongs a valve’s useful life…

Vortex Global is pleased to announce the appointment of Stephen Eastick as European Sales Manager. In this role, Eastick will be responsible for the oversight of sales and rep groups throughout Europe, doing so through customer site visits and rep network relations to ensure all necessary tools are provided to further the sales of Vortex’s diverse product lines. “We are delighted by Stephen’s return to the Vortex family,” said Laurence Millington, managing director of Vortex Global. “His familiarity with our company and overall industry experience will make immediate impact on Vortex’s ability to consult with customers and rep groups in a quickly growing European market. We wish Stephen all the best in his return, and are excited for what is to come.” Previously, Stephen was an integral member of the Vortex Global internal sales team from 2011 to 2015. In that time, he was tasked with managing Asian markets. Most recently, Eastick was employed as…

Spouts Compliant with Zones 20 and 21 Vortex, a solids and bulk handling components company, announces its Loading Solutions product line has gained Zone 20 (internal) and Zone 21 (external) ATEX certification in the European Union. Because ATEX certification is required for equipment sold through the European Union (EU), this certification allows Vortex to broaden its international reach and enter an established European market for loading spouts. As Zone 20 and Zone 21 are the highest ATEX ratings that can be achieved, Vortex Loading Solutions are compliant for use in even the most hazardous applications, making Vortex products a viable option for all industries. Established on March 29, 2014, ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU is a revised law requiring equipment manufactures to design and construct equipment in a way that ensures a static dissipative path for material flow, thus reducing the source of ignition for use of equipment in explosive environments. Complemented by ATEX Directive 99/92/EC, which is…

Vortex Global Ltd., a solids and bulk handling components company, has been recognized by Solids Handling & Processing Association (SHAPA) as the 2017 Solids Handling Industry Company of the Year. The award was presented on Tuesday, April 25, at the Shapa agm & Solids Handling Industry Awards Dinner, which was hosted at the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester, England. Other companies honored on the evening include Russell Finex, who received the Solids Handling Industry Innovation Award, and Perry of Oakley Ltd., who accepted the Solids Handling Industry Export Award. Entry to these awards was open to all UK-registered, SHAPA member and non-member companies and institutions operating in the solids handling and processing industry. In order to be considered for each award, companies must have demonstrated achievement, improved sales success, or deployment of industry best practices. Vortex’s Company of the Year recognition is largely due…

Divert sticky material from one source to two destinations A producer of food grade plastic bags and packaging wrap for foods was in search of a solution for a problematic application. At one point in the operation hot, sticky plastic pellets are required to be diverted from a receiving hopper to either of two process lines. Diverters previously utilized were problematic in the fact that they had to be removed from service and cleaned frequently. Downtime was a major expense. After reviewing the application, The Vortex engineering team determined a Seal Tite Gravity Diverter could be modified to provide the best solution to the customers needs. A Vortex 2-way Seal Tite Gravity Diverter was engineered and manufactured to meet many application criteria. Food grade Viton rubber vane seals and Florisant 207 shaft seals were used to accommodate the 232°C to 260°C temperatures present. Special sight glasses were crafted in the legs of the Seal Tite. Through these, maintenance personnel make regular checks during the day…

Vortex Flex Tube Diverter Valve Handling Chili Powder When this national company was considering a new blending and mixing station, much of the emphasis for the project was placed on increasing output with additional production efficiency. Previously, the company had experienced issues with valves and diverters within an old system. The diverters caused cross-contamination among the product recipes and the slide gates leaked to atmosphere. In both cases, the expensive chili powder had to be trashed. Chili powder leaking to atmosphere creates an airborne health hazard (eyes and skin) and also a “slippery floor” safety hazard for company employees. The new system incorporated a Vortex flex tube diverter to eliminate product cross-contamination and Vortex roller gates to shut off and seal material at the bottom of dry blenders and mixers. Production was impressed with the performance of the Vortex valves as well as the maintenance friendly features each one has to offer. “These valves truly seal our material.”

Conveying a fragile product in a lean/dilute phase Pneumatically conveying open water fish feed is never an easy task. Product breakage must remain minimal to ensure the feed floats or sinks at specific rates. There is also an added complexity of highly variable fatty oil content, ingredients, and bulk density amongst the different blends. In 2008, Vortex collaborated with an international aqua feed manufacturer to develop a slide gate that would deliver fish feed pellets directly into a lean/dilute phase pneumatic conveying line. The success of the original slide gate design led to further cooperation on an additional aqua feed project in 2012. Many of the design parameters were similar to the previous installation, but with more specific considerations:  * Minimize material breakage by eliminating ledges through the inlet,  * Seal the pneumatic conveying pressure in the lines below the valve to prevent a pressure drop in the system,  * Handle the wide range of product variation,  *…

Vortex HDPV2 replaces existing butterfly valve BASF is an integrated global chemical company. Their site in Redditch, UK, specializes in the production of flooring systems including concrete repair, structural waterproofing, traffic repair, car park decks, roofing waterproofing and structural grouts. The manufacturing process includes bulk storage, batch weighing and pneumatic transfer of a large variety of ingredients (typically sands cements, lime and coarse aggregates) to a large vacuum receiving hopper. From here materials are discharged to a mixer then discharged to a high speed packing process. BASF had experienced problems with the existing butterfly valve on the outlet of their vacuum batch receiving hopper. Some of the coarse materials, typically quartz and flintag, are very abrasive with sharp jagged edges and have a high bulk density. The butterfly valve blade was unable to open against a head load of high density compacted material. BASF identified the Vortex HDPV2 slide gate valve as ideal solution…

The Vortex Quantum Series Wye Line Diverter is specifically engineered to handle dry bulk solids in vacuum or dilute phase pneumatic conveying systems with pressures up to 15 psig (1 barg) depending on size. A full flow orifice provides unrestricted conveying of material. The live-loaded seals are shielded from abrasion by a metal insert. Key Industries Served: Agriculture, Chemicals, Foods, Minerals, Petrochemicals, Plastics, Textiles Rated for ATEX Zone 0/20 internal and Zone 1/21 external

Wye Line Diverter handles delicate tea leaves Tea and coffee merchants, Taylors of Harrogate, recruited Vortex a few years ago to assist in improving a tea transfer system at their North Yorkshire, UK plant. Staff at the Vortex Darlington office were contacted by Taylors, who had identified the Wye Line Diverter from the Vortex website as a potential alternative for their tea transfer system. Taylors were then visited by Vortex representatives just 90 minutes after this initial enquiry. At the plant, the blended tea was transferred to each packaging machine by a dedicated vacuum system. The project was to combine these two systems into one, reducing the number of vacuum pumps and pipework whilst not affecting the quality, taste or structure of the tea in any way. Following the decision that the 2-Way Wye Line Diverters offered the best solution to reduce costs and energy consumption, Taylors were able to test a set of four diverters on a trial basis for several weeks. At the end of this period, Taylors…