Developer and manufacturer of mechani- cal pipe joining systems Victaulic introduced the Vic-Press system, which includes a range of valve and piping solutions, to the South African market in May.

Victaulic regional manager Barry van Jaarsveld tells Mining Weekly that the Vic-Press system joins pipe in a matter of seconds and is ideally suited to mining and industrial applications.

“New York-listed coal miner Peabody Energy installed the Vic-Press system last year at its Somerville mine in Indiana, in the US, and the company reported labour and cost savings, as the installation of the system did not require any threading or welding,” he emphasises.

Van Jaarsveld says that the Vic-Press valves range includes Victaulic Series P569 and P589 ball valves.

The Victaulic Series P569 ball valve features a full Type 316 stainless steel body and trim with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) seats. A blow-out proof stem and self-adjusting floating ball provide uniform sealing. Its full-port design reduces pressure drop for maximum flow efficiency and the three-piece swing-out design permits easy in-line maintenance. These valves are offered with Vic-Press Schedule 10S ends, grooved ends or press by grooved ends.

Further, the Victaulic Series P589 ball valve features a forged-brass valve body and a chrome-plated brass ball, which is hollow to eliminate unnecessary weight, while maintaining flow and mechanical strength.

He explains that the valves’ PTFE seats and washers reduce the friction coefficient, which further eases valve operation.

The Vic-Press Schedule 10S ends are offered in either American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) A-312 Type 304 or ASTM Type 316 stainless steel.

Moreover, he points out that the Victaulic Series P569 and P589 ball valves are rated for service of up to 400 pounds per square inch (psi) and are available in sizes from 15 mm to 50 mm.

He notes that Vic-Press products feature Grade H, hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber gaskets, suitable for use in applications of up to 98 ºC.

Alternative materials, including ethylene propylene diene monomer, fluoroelasto- mer and silicone, are available for use in applications of up to 121 ºC.
Vic-Press is ideal for use in several wet and dry industrial applications, including potable water, oil, compressed air, lubri- cated air, noncombustible gases and general chemical services.

“The Vic-Press range of valves was exhibited in May at the Pumps, Valves and Pipes Africa 2013 exhibition at the Gallagher Convention Centre, in Johannesburg,” Van Jaarsveld concludes.