Johannesburg-based valve manufacturer Atval is one of only a handful of local companies that manufactures its entire range of valves entirely in-house. These products offer drop-tight sealing against numerous media, including; liquids, gases, vacuum, pulp and slurries – and are available in sizes from 25 mm to 1 500 mm – with working pressures of up to 40 bar, and operating temperatures ranging between -20˚ C to 120˚ C.

Atval managing director Ted Atkins points out that the company is a world leader in the manufacture of pinch valves.

“The technology is entirely developed in South Africa in conjunction with the local mining industry, which requires valves to handle slurries at higher pressures than anywhere else in the world. The pinch valve is an ideal product for this application because of its full unrestricted flow pattern and the use of gum rubber as an abrasion resistant closing membrane.”

Atval operations director Mark Atkins highlights the fact that pinch valves are specifically designed for both low pressure and high pressure applications, in addition to abrasive transport systems and fluid and powder metering and flow control.

“The Atval ranges of pinch valves are ideally suited for heavy duty service in applications such as mining, chemical plants, mineral dressing plants, fertiliser plants, sewage water works, power stations, cement works and general industries.”

According to Atkins, the Atval range of knife gate valves has been developed to complement the range of pinch valves and, in many instances; they are supplied together to the same processing plants. He explains that Atval’s simple yet innovative design includes a one-piece body, knife-edged blade and field replaceable seats to ensure ease of maintenance.

“The valve gets its name from the blade or gate, which has a ‘knife-like’ cutting edge. The gate moves perpendicular to the direction of flow, providing a guillotine action which enables it to shear through semi liquid media.”

Atval is always looking at new avenues for growth, and it will be looking at gaining share in the South African municipal market, power generation market and the parastatal market.