Measurement + instrumentation: Products + services
Choosing the best gate valves for water/wastewater management
this type of valve quickly become popular.
Ultra Control Valves was among the exhibitors at the IMESA Conference held 29 to 31 October 2025 at the East London International Convention Centre. Peter Telle of Ultra Control Valves here explains the di§erence between wedge gate valves and RSV gate valves, highlighting the benefits gained through product developments. Gate valves are widely used in water and wastewater systems, but not all gate valves are the same. Understanding the di§erences between wedge and resilient seated (RSV) gate valves helps users choose the right option for reliability, cost, and long-term performance. Wedge gate valves Traditionally, the term ‘gate valve’ referred to wedge gate valves, which have a metal-to-metal seating. The gate is shaped like a wedge so that it can be forced tightly onto the body seats. The valves are designed to be strong and long-lasting, but they do have some drawbacks. - They are o¤en over-tightened to achieve a tight seal, and this can make them hard to open again. Forcing them with leverage poles
Product improvements In early RSV gate valves, there were problems with poor manufacturing quality and the rubber lining coming loose. Many users switched back to wedge gate valves at that time. However, subsequent improvements fixed the problems. The rubber is now moulded to the gate under high temperature and pressure, creating a strong bond that covers both the inside and outside surfaces, including the area where the spindle moves. Most manufacturers follow this process today, and some o§er up to 20-year replacement guarantees. RSV gate valves are now widely used for scour applications, where high water speeds once tore the rubber from the valve. The only caution in scour use is that rats might chew the rubber to reach water, but this can be prevented by installing a guard mesh over the outlet. RSV gate valves deliver several benefits. - Current designs provide better sealing performance. - The valves require lower operating torque because friction is reduced between the gate and valve body. - Particles are easily flushed out because there is no groove at the bottom of the valve. - RSV gate valves reduce water hammer as the rubber ab- sorbs pressure spikes. - Because they need less machining and are produced in high volumes, RSV gate valves are usually less expensive and more readily available than wedge gate valves. Resilient seated gate valves o§er a more modern, corrosion- resistant and low-maintenance alternative to traditional wedge gate valves. For most water and wastewater applications, they provide dependable operation and good long-term value.
The traditional wedge gate valve (top) and the RSV gate valve (above), preferred today for most water and wastewater applications.
can cause damage. - The groove at the bottom of the valve traps dirt, which pre- vents the valve closing properly. - Corrosion protection is di§icult because the coating is eas- ily damaged in areas next to the seating surfaces. Resilient seated gate valves To overcome these problems, resilient seated gate valves were developed. They use a rubber-coated gate that seals directly against the valve body. With this design, no separate body seat is needed. A fusion bonded epoxy (FBE) coating on the body and bonnet saw Advancing digital plant management Specialist in valve, measurement and control systems, the GEMÜ Group, has introduced CONEXO 2025, the next generation of its digital solution for cross-manufacturer plant lifecycle management. This latest version sets standards in the digital identification and management of components and creates end-to-end transparency across the entire lifecycle – from commissioning to disposal. Using modern technologies such as RFID, QR codes and DataMatrix, CONEXO 2025 enables components to be clearly identified directly in the plant and links them to digital product data, maintenance information and obsolescence status. A simple scan is all that is needed to give service technicians immediate access to relevant documents, certificates, maintenance histories and upcoming tasks. Open, standards-based future-ready CONEXO 2025 is based on international standards and already meetstherequirementsofupcomingregulationssuchastheDigital Product Passport (DPP). Clear identification is achieved using QR
For more information visit: www.ultravalves.co.za
codes, DataMatrix and UHF RFID (860-960 MHz), ensuring cross- manufacturer interoperability in accordance with ISO/IEC standards. The new EU ESPR regulation will make DPP mandatory for the first product groups from 2027 onwards. CONEXO 2025 is set up to process all relevant data and link it to the Asset Administration Shell (AAS). Machine-readable identifiers in accordance with IEC 61406 serve as URL-based references directly on the physical object and enable access to digital information, for example via 2D codes or NFC tags. Furthermore, CONEXO uses AAS as a non-proprietary standard for digital twins in Industry 4.0 and relies on the AASX open file format to facilitate exchange between operators, manufacturers, and service partners. New functions CONEXO 2025 o§ers a range of new features that make digital asset management more e§icient and future-ready. In the area of obsolescence management, the solution allows critical situations, such as recalls or product discontinuations, to be detected at an early stage and automatically creates appropriate replacement tasks. Component management has been significantly expanded: Alias Continued on page 25
24 Electricity + Control DEC 2025 - JAN 2026
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