Diverter Valves

Diverter valves split, switch, combine or isolate process media in to one or more directions, all the while eliminating dead space. Diverter valves are sometimes called switching valves, polymer diverter valve, 3-way, 4- way, and multiway diverter valves or combination valves.

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Critical PTA Diverter Valve 5 Way Diverter Valve for Heavy Oil Upgrading

Diverter Valve Application

Diverter valves are primarily used to split or combine process flows between different pieces of process equipment such as pipeline, filters, spinning heads or pumps. The second major use is to replace the traditional approach of splitting media by using a T-Piece and two isolation valves. The more compact diverter valve solution has the added benefit of eliminating dead or slow spaces that are self evident in t-pieces and ball valves for example. The avoidance of dead space in turn reduces the requirement to backflush (please see more details in the Concept area below).

Diverter valves can be custom made to meet even the most challenging piping layout requirements. A 3-way diverter valve can for example have 1 inlet and two outlets, or two inlets and one outlet. With multiway diverter valves, the combinations are endless, but they are primarily used to eliminate multiple isolation valves, t-pieces and unnecessary piping. They can therefore be used to achieve a more compact plant layout in either a new or existing plant.

Another example of a 5-way diverter valve is with one inlet and four outlets. Each outlet is connected to a different pump and in this way different process lines can be fed media consecutively, or one taken offline for maintenance whilst another is running.

They can operate under severe operating conditions with high flow rates, high pressure and temperature. There are many options available such as rotating and contoured plungers, heating jackets and integrated flushing. You can see many different examples of these diverter or switching valves in the photo section below.


Diverter Valve Operation

Diverter valves operate by actuating pistons inside a valve body, to divert fluid flow as needed. When one piston is actuated to the closed position, it creates a seal against the body, thereby stopping all flow through one port of the polymer diverter valve. When the piston is actuated to the open position, fluid is allowed to flow from the inlet to the outlet in a smooth, unimpeded manner.

Diverter Valve Attributes

All types of actuation are available - manual, electric, pneumatic and hydraulic. By utilizing a plunger-style seal, dead space within the valve body is minimized while ensuring a Class VI seal.

The valve design can be optimized by contouring and rotating the plungers. This helps keep the fluid flow smooth and unobstructed, while also reducing dead space inside the valve body. Furthermore, a heating jacket can be added to fully encompass the Diverter valve body, allowing the fluid to remain completely heated while flowing through the valve.