New Silicon Carbide Ceramic Parts Increase service life by 6X in Power Generation Plants

Approximately 3 years ago, Blasch was approached by a customer that had a problem with a series of butterfly valves used in flyash service. 

'The customer had experienced good success in the use of ceramic castings to replace a variety of metallic parts in certain applications, and wanted to explore the use of ceramic in this problematic area" according to Tim Connors, Power Generation Market Manager.

"Replacing metal parts with ceramics parts of the same dimension often creates problems.  Blasch had not done an integrated rebuild of a critical component such as a valve.  We were quite reluctant to take on something like this, but our customer pushed us into it, and once we actually got our hands on a valve, there was no mystery, and we were able to move quickly forward", according to Connors.

The critical flapper component, most susceptible to wear, was replaced with a cast ceramic shape that encapsulated a structural steel component to mitigate the risk of catastrophic failure in the field.  Also, the inside diameter of the valve body was modified and machined, along with a new working face with a cast ceramic ring. 

These valves were installed in 2006, and are still in service today.

Founded in 1979, Blasch Precision Ceramics serves a variety of manufacturing and processing industries throughout the world, providing innovative, customized solutions for chemically difficult or high temperature applications.

For additional information about Blasch Cast Ceramic Shapes for the Power Generation Industry, call 1-800-550-5768 (or 518-436-1263) extension 43, write Blasch Precision Ceramics, 580 Broadway, Albany, NY 12204, FAX 518-436-0098, email MLavicska@BlaschCeramics.com or visit www.BlaschCeramics.com.

- end -