Lime Slurry in pH Control
Lime is used in many chemical plants, where it is added to the influent to maintain a optimum pH level. Lime is normally stored as a dry powder, and mixed with water or additional chemicals to create a lime slurry that can be pumped through pipes and added to the waste stream as needed. Lime slurry is slightly abrasive, but can be quite corrosive depending upon the other chemicals involved.
Lime also has a tendency to build up as scale inside pipes and valves. This scaling can severely inhibit the operation of traditional quarter-turn valves and restrict flow. Traditional valves also suffer the problem of dewatering, which happens at the point where pressure is shut off. The upstream pressure in the line ahead of the valve will force liquid out of the lime, leaving a dry plug behind. This plug is hard enough to block to opening of a quarter turn valve, resulting in the use of cheater bars to open valves. Broken stems are a common result.
Because the shape of the elastomer sleeve changes as it opens and closes, it breaks up solidified lime and allowing it to pass. There are also no cavities or dead spaces in which lime can accumulate.