We all or the majority of us are aware of Iris diaphragm. It uses a simple mechanism of expansion and decreases the opening of a circular hole. You might be mindful of camera shutters and irises in eyes, both control the path of light.The Iris mechanism is present in the world of dry solids handling, and it is called the iris valve. The valve’s function is to control the flow of the flowing granules, pellets, and powders.
Mechanism of the Iris Valve
The valve has a metal cased body that encloses two concentric rings. A flexible sleeve material connects these rings. One end of the sleeve is attached to the valve body, and the other is connected to the control ring. An external handle manipulates the ring. The valve’s handle rotates through a 180-degree angle, and the sleeve turns and becomes a flat and tight concrete barrier.
Iris Valve is the same as a traditional sliding gate or butterfly valve with a blade and disc crossing the flowing material column. Here, the iris valve has a circular opening that closes toward the midpoint of the column. After opening the iris valve, its opening produces a small conical shape of material that flows directly into the container and allows easy filling of containers. Iris valves are operated manually and offer two options an external twist and a quick-lock handle.
Using the twist handle, the operator moves the handle to control the valve’s opening in different positions across the 180-degree angle. Here, the quick-lock handle allows the locking system and actuation to occur to a limited point on the iris valve body. Iris valves consist of a pneumatic (electric actuator) available at significantly higher costs than standard manual valves.
Applications of Iris Valve
Iris valve has versatile applications in several industrial sectors, including food and dairy products, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, minerals, and plastics. They are also useful in aeration for wastewater treatment plants, corporation water management plants, and control of the flow of slurries and dense materials. Besides, the paper and pulp suspension flow control are established through the iris valve. Iris valves are useful in the separation of pellets with particle sizes of more than 0.5mm.
