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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.
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In this client’s process, various grades of flour mix arrive via bulk container trucks and are unloaded into source lines A & B (as pictured). Then, materials may be conveyed in the following sequences:
•Source A –> Source C
•Source A –> Source D
•Source B –> Source C
•Source B –> Source D

In certain sequences, Sources A & B can flow materials at the same time:
•Source A –> Source C & Source B –> Source D
•Source A –> Source D & Source B –> Source C

Source lines C & D each convey materials into two Vortex Four-Way Wye Line Diverters. Materials from Source C may be conveyed toward any of four packing stations (Station 1 – Station 4), and materials from Source D may be conveyed toward any of four other packing stations (Station 5 – Station 8).

This configuration of Vortex Wye Line Diverters offered a solution for many issues this client faced when using hose manifold stations in their previous facility.

The diverters were installed in fall 2001. In 2013, Vortex engineers returned to the client’s facility to discuss an upcoming plant expansion. The client’s head of maintenance commented:

“Since their original installation in 2001, we have not performed any maintenance at all on these Vortex Wye Line Diverters. So of course, we would like to source Vortex components again for our plant expansion!”