Safe, reliable operation without hang-ups, binding, or plugging.

Material cannot prevent blade actuation:
The Big Cap™ valve handles overfilling of a digester without seat damage by moving overfilled chips into the valve body – pressure free – and bringing back the overfilled material for the next cycle. With knife gate valves, the chips will accumulate in the bottom of the valve and prevent proper closure of the capping valve. Ball valves will accumulate chips behind the ball that will eventually damage the seats. The damage to the leading edge of the orifice typically seen on chrome plated ball valves will not occur with the Big Cap™ valve.

Safety Interlocks:
Interlocks are placed between 1) the automated locking device and one pressure sensor and 2) the actuators and a redundant pressure sensor. This arrangement provides two safety iterations to prevent the capping valve from being opened while there is still pressure in the digester above set-point for safe opening of the capping valve.

High Performance Actuators:
Pneumatic, hydraulic, or electric actuation depending on end user requirements. Big Cap™ valves utilize heavy duty industrial actuators purpose specified to ensure on-demand reliable actuation even in high cycle applications.

Other Characteristics to set the Stargate-O-Port-Valve^® Big Cap™ apart:
Short takeout dimension: Compared to ball valves typically used in capping applications the Big Cap™ has a significantly shorter takeout. The shorter takeout is beneficial to system stack-up dimensions, particularly when considering overall roof height in modular systems or systems that are roof height limited. Depending on the design of the reactor neck, the Big Cap™ valve is designed with a thru bolt flange to allow for clearances to other equipment at the capping location or to allow connection to a lugged reactor flange.

The Big Cap™ valve has dual tandem packing glands with a void to allow for purging or monitoring. Should the operator be alerted to leakage, the packing arrangement will be adjusted to prevent any fugitive emissions improving safety on the capping floor. The redundant seals are also applied to the valve body thus preventing any fugitive emissions from the valve under any conditions within the design specification of the valve.

Low maintenance:
The only regular PM item is the occasional tightening of pusher bolts to ensure the tight seal around the blade of the valve. The Big Cap™ does not require lubrication of any sort. In capping applications where buildup is common on the feed chute side of the valve, coatings on the blade will eliminate the need for scrappers or water baths to keep the blade surface in proper sealing condition.