What is a Diverter Valve?
A diverter valve is a type of valve used to control and direct the flow of fluids or materials from a single inlet to multiple outlets or vice versa. Its primary function is to selectively divert the flow between different paths or destinations.
How Does a Diverter Valve Work?
Diverter Valve Structure and Components
A diverter valve is a multi-port valve that controls and directs fluid flow between different outlet ports while restricting flow from an inlet port to one or more outlets. The key components are:
- Valve housing with inlet and multiple outlet ports
- The valve chamber inside the housing
- Flow diverter/valve head that pivots or slides to open/close ports
Operational Mechanism
The flow diverter is coupled to a drive mechanism that allows it to rotate or move linearly to align with different ports. Common drive mechanisms include:
- Rotary valve: The motor rotates a drive shaft connected to the valve head via gears
- Linear valve: Solenoid or motor actuates linear movement of the valve head
When aligned with an outlet port, the diverter allows fluid flow through that port. By changing position, it blocks that outlet and opens a different one, diverting the flow.
Types of Diverter Valve
Rotary Diverter Valves
Rotary diverter valves consist of a rotating disc or drum that selectively creates fluid communication between the inlet and desired outlet ports. Key features include:
- Rotating disc/drum with passages that align with inlet/outlet ports
- Ability to divert flow between multiple outlets
- Suitable for high-concentration slurries and viscous materials
Fluidic Diverter Valves
These valves rely on fluidic amplification and the Coanda effect to divert flow without moving mechanical parts. Characteristics:
- No moving mechanical components, increasing reliability
- Use wall-attached jets to switch flow between outlets
- Performance degrades at low Reynolds numbers
Diaphragm/Piston Diverter Valves
These valves use a diaphragm or piston to block/open flow paths to outlets:
- The diaphragm or piston moves to align the inlet with the desired outlet
- Can reduce the force required for actuation
- Often used in showers, faucets for water diversion
Ball/Spherical Diverter Valves
A ball valve element with through-holes rotates to connect the inlet to outlets:
- The ball rotates to align the through-hole with the inlet/outlet
- Minimizes flow restriction when open
- Can incorporate flow regulators and meters in the valve body
Pros and Cons of Diverter Valve
Pros of Diverter Valves
- Versatility and Flexibility: Diverter valves allow for the selective direction of fluid flow, enabling efficient control and distribution of fluids in various systems. This versatility makes them beneficial in applications such as fluid handling, treatment processes, and flow management.
- Compact Design: Many diverter valves are designed with a compact and space-saving configuration, making them suitable for installations where space is limited.
- Improved System Efficiency: By incorporating additional components like flow regulators, check valves, and flow meters into the diverter valve assembly, system efficiency can be enhanced. This integration reduces the need for separate components, minimizing potential leaks and pressure drops.
- Ease of Operation: Diverter valves often feature simple actuation mechanisms, such as rotation or linear movement, allowing for convenient operation and control of fluid flow.
Cons of Diverter Valves
- Material Degradation: Conventional diverter valves may contain seals and components made of materials that can degrade over time or when exposed to certain fluids, leading to leaks and failures. This necessitates frequent maintenance, repair, or replacement.
- Pressure Drops: In some diverter valve designs, the fluid flow path may involve sharp turns or restrictions, resulting in undesirable pressure drops and turbulent flow.
- Potential for Leaks: The inclusion of additional joints and seals in diverter valve systems can increase the risk of leaks, particularly if the components are not properly maintained or installed.
- Noise Generation: Depending on the design and flow conditions, diverter valves may generate noise during operation, which can be a concern in certain applications.
- Limited Flow Capacity: Some diverter valve designs may have restrictions on the maximum flow rate or pressure they can handle, limiting their applicability in high-flow or high-pressure systems.
Applications of Diverter Valve
- Process Industries: Diverter valves find wide applications in chemical plants, refineries, and pharmaceutical facilities for routing process fluids, enabling efficient equipment utilization and maintenance operations.
- Water and Wastewater Treatment: They are used to divert water flow for backwashing filters, bypassing treatment units, or directing flows to different treatment stages.
- Food and Beverage: In beverage production lines, diverter valves facilitate the routing of different liquids to multiple filling lines or packaging stations.
- Hydraulic Systems: Hydraulic diverter valves are crucial in controlling the flow of hydraulic fluids in machinery, construction equipment, and industrial automation systems.
- Bulk Material Handling: Rotary disc diverter valves are employed to direct the flow of bulk solids, such as grains, powders, or granular materials, to different receivers or processing units.
Application Cases
| Product/Project | Technical Outcomes | Application Scenarios |
|---|---|---|
| Bistable Diverter Valve with Synthetic Jet Actuators | Compact, low-power devices ideal for flow separation control with precise frequency variation. | Flow separation control in adverse environmental conditions. |
| Diverter Valve Assembly Access Business Group International LLC | Low fluid pressure drop, reduced potential for leakage and failure of joints. | Applications requiring reliable fluid control with minimal pressure drop. |
| Fluid Diverter Valve JohnsonDiversey Co. Ltd. | Allows water flow to be diverted to a fluid conduit for chemical dispensing. | Water dispensing systems with chemical dispensers. |
| Rotary Disc Type Diverter Valve Cyclonaire Corp. | Prolonged service life and resistance to abrasive wear. | Bulk material handling in abrasive environments. |
| Shower System Diverter Valve Assembly Kohler Co. | Stable and reliable transmission with low noise and wear resistance. | Shower systems requiring selective water flow direction. |
Latest Innovations of Diverter Valve
Design Advancements
- Compact and Lightweight Designs: Manufacturers are developing diverter valves with optimized geometries and using lightweight materials like engineered plastics and composites to reduce weight and size, enabling easier installation and maintenance.
- Modular and Configurable Designs: Modular diverter valve designs allow for customization and configuration to meet specific application requirements, improving flexibility and reducing inventory costs.
Performance Enhancements
- Improved Flow Control: Innovations in valve trim design, such as streamlined flow paths and advanced flow modeling, have enhanced flow control capabilities, reducing pressure drops and increasing efficiency.
- Extended Service Life: The use of advanced materials like super-duplex stainless steels, ceramics, and specialized coatings has improved resistance to erosion, corrosion, and wear, extending the service life of diverter valves.
Smart and Connected Features
- Integrated Sensors and Diagnostics: Diverter valves now incorporate embedded sensors and diagnostic capabilities, enabling real-time monitoring of performance, predictive maintenance, and remote control.
- Digital Twin Integration: The development of digital twins for diverter valves allows for virtual testing, simulation, and optimization of valve performance under various operating conditions.
Sustainable and Efficient Solutions
- Energy-Efficient Actuation: The adoption of energy-efficient actuation technologies, such as electric actuators and advanced pneumatic systems, has reduced the energy consumption of diverter valve operations.
- Environmentally Friendly Materials: The use of eco-friendly materials and coatings, as well as the implementation of sustainable manufacturing processes, has reduced the environmental impact of diverter valves.
To get detailed scientific explanations of the diverter valves, try Patsnap Eureka.
