Multi-purge gate valve for particulate solids flow

A gate valve assembly for controlling the flow of fine particulate solids therethrough, comprising:

• (a) an elongated valve body having a transverse opening therethrough near one end and packing means provided at the opposite end, said body containing a centrally-located groove having beveled inner seating surfaces;
• (b) a gate member longitudinally movable within said body, said gate being aligned within said groove and mating with said seating surfaces, said gate member having an internal cavity and multiple flow passages annularly surrounding said cavity and oriented downwardly from said cavity for flow of a purge gas through the passages, said flow passages being surrounded by said seating surfaces;
• and
• (c) a valve stem rigidly connected to said gate member and extending through said packing means for moving the gate longitudinally within said body, said stem containing a passageway for providing a purge gas to the gate member cavity and flow passages, whereby gas flows through the valve stem passageway to said cavity in said gate and outwardly through said passages so as to purge the mating surfaces and prevent deposit of particulate solids on the valve seating surfaces.

A gate valve assembly for controlling the flow of fine particulate solids therethrough, comprising:

• (a) an elongated valve body constructed in two mating parts and having a transverse opening therethrough near one end and packing means located at the opposite end, said body containing a centrally-located groove at the opposite end, said groove having dual beveled inner seating surfaces;
• (b) a conduit retained in said groove in the valve body, said conduit having a plurality of spaced openings oriented radially inwardly and arranged for inward flow of a pressurized purge gas through the openings to purge the gate valve assembly seating surfaces;
• (c) a gate member longitudinally movable within said body, said gate being aligned within said groove and mating with said seating surfaces, said conduit surrounding said seating surfaces and said gate member for purging said seating surfaces, said gate member having an internal cavity and multiple flow passages extending outwardly from said cavity and directed toward the valve seat for outward flow of a purge gas from said cavity through the passages;
• and
• (d) a valve stem rigidly connected to said gate member and extending through said packing means from moving the gate longitudinally within the valve body, said stem containing a passageway for providing a purge gas to the gate member internal cavity and passages, whereby gas flows through the valve stem passageway to said gate member cavity and outwardly through said passages so as to purge the mating seating surfaces and prevent deposits of particulate solids on the valve seating surfaces.