ℹ Flowrates supports the battery recycling sector in addressing its technical challenges.
As part of a project dedicated to electric vehicle battery recycling, we supplied a custom-designed knife gate valve with a 1200 x 1200 mm clear opening.
This project involved several specific constraints identified by our client:
– Air-tightness requirement, as lithium reacts strongly upon contact with oxygen.
– Vibrations, metallic particles, and potentially corrosive conditions under the hopper, due to battery shredding.
– ATEX-classified zone, requiring compliant components.
– High operating frequency, demanding robust mechanics designed for long-term reliability.
Implemented solutions:
– Valve body fully machined from solid block to ensure mechanical stability.
– Antistatic PTFE seals, ATEX-compliant.
– Precision-machined sealing system, manufactured by our partner Ivaltec, ensuring resistance to vibrations.
– Integration of a bidirectional sealing system.
– Festo linear actuator, selected for its ability to withstand thrust constraints and frequent operations without buckling.
Validation test:
A bubble-tight test was carried out to validate the overall performance — inspired by the best practices in fluid mechanics!
At Flowrates, we intervene early in such projects, supporting technical teams from design to manufacturing follow-up, and ensuring reliable equipment delivery.
