Dome Valve Technology
Unlike conventional slide gates or butterfly valves, the Clyde Dome Valve uses a unique inflatable seal design.
High-Reliability Isolation Valves for Pneumatic Conveying and Process Injection
Clyde Pneumatic Conveying's Dome Valve technology is recognised worldwide as one of the most reliable isolation valve solutions for handling abrasive, fine and difficult bulk materials.
Unlike conventional slide gates or butterfly valves, the Clyde Dome Valve uses a unique inflatable seal design. The seal retracts fully during valve movement and inflates only when the valve is closed, eliminating friction between the sealing element and the valve dome.
This innovative design allows the valve to cut through static or moving material while maintaining a pressure-tight seal, ensuring reliable operation in demanding pneumatic conveying and process injection applications.
Today, thousands of Clyde Dome Valves operate worldwide across industries including cement production, steel manufacturing, chemical processing, Waste-to-Energy plants and advanced thermal processes.
Why Dome Valve Technology?
- Pressure-Tight Sealing: Inflatable seal technology ensures reliable sealing even with ultra-fine powders.
- Low Maintenance: Only one primary wearing component results in long service life and minimal maintenance.
- Handles Difficult Materials: The dome design allows the valve to cut through static or moving material without damage.
The inflatable seal retracts fully during valve movement, eliminating sliding friction and dramatically reducing wear. This provides reliable isolation even when handling abrasive powders, sticky materials or fine dusts.
How the Clyde Dome Valve Works
The Clyde Dome Valve uses a unique sealing principle that enables it to handle abrasive, fine, and difficult-to-handle bulk materials with exceptional reliability.
- Step 1 – Valve Open: The inflatable seal is fully deflated, allowing the dome to rotate freely without contacting the seal.
- Step 2 – Valve Closing: The dome rotates through the material stream and can cut through static or moving material.
- Step 3 – Seal Inflation: Once fully closed, the seal inflates against the dome, creating a pressure-tight barrier.
- Step 4 – Valve Opening: The seal deflates completely before the dome rotates back to the open position, preventing wear on the seal.
This design eliminates sliding friction and significantly extends valve life.
Our Dome Valve Range
Dome Valve
The standard Clyde Dome Valve is the industry-proven solution for pneumatic conveying systems handling abrasive powders such as cement, fly ash, gypsum and CKD.
It is widely used in dense-phase conveying pumps, pressure vessels, and pipeline systems where reliable sealing and long service life are essential.
Typical applications:
- Cement conveying systems
- Fly ash handling systems
- Mineral powder transfer
- Dense phase pneumatic conveying pumps
S-Line Dome Valve
The S-Line Dome Valve has been specifically developed for chemical processing and corrosive environments.
Manufactured in 316 stainless steel, it provides excellent corrosion resistance while maintaining the robust performance expected from Clyde Dome Valve technology.
The valve provides pressure-tight sealing for ultra-fine powders and can cut through static or moving material without damage.
Typical materials handled:
- Silica and alumina
- Titanium dioxide
- Carbon black
- Polymer powders
- Fertiliser and chemical powders
Dust Catcher Dome Valve
The Dust Catcher Dome Valve is designed specifically for demanding dust-collection applications in heavy industry, particularly in iron and steel production.
Iron oxide dust is a continuous by-product of the ironmaking process and must be collected and removed regularly to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the plant.
The Dust Catcher Dome Valve is engineered to operate reliably in these challenging environments. Its robust construction and inflatable seal technology ensure dependable sealing and long service life when handling fine, abrasive dusts.
By providing pressure-tight isolation and reliable operation, the Dust Catcher Dome Valve helps maintain the safety, efficiency and availability of critical ironmaking processes.
ThermaValve-HT
The ThermaValve-HT is a high-temperature isolation valve developed from Clyde's world-renowned Dome Valve technology and designed for extreme industrial processes.
The valve incorporates a water-cooled dome and seating system, enabling reliable operation at temperatures between 200°C and 750°C while maintaining pressure-tight isolation.
ThermaValve-HT is typically used in:
- Gasifier and reactor vessel feed systems
- Lock hopper charging systems
- Iron and steel production processes
- High-temperature material handling systems
The valve can be supplied with pneumatic or hydraulic actuation and is designed to maintain gas-tight sealing even during air failure, ensuring maximum process safety.
Dome Valve vs Conventional Isolation Valves
Enquire| Feature | Clyde Dome Valve | Slide Gate / Knife Gate | Butterfly Valve |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seal Technology | Inflatable seal engages only when closed | Sliding metal sealing surfaces | Elastomer seal in continuous contact |
| Seal Wear | Very low wear | High wear due to sliding surfaces | Seal wears during each operation |
| Handling Fine Powders | Pressure-tight sealing | Leakage common, difficult to seal | N/A |
| Ability to Close Through Material | Cuts through material | Material trapped between plates | Disc obstructs flow |
| Wear Resistance | Excellent for abrasive materials | Moderate to poor | Poor for abrasive powders |
| Maintenance | Minimal – single wearing component | Frequent maintenance | Regular seal replacement |
| Pressure Isolation | Excellent for dense phase systems | Leakage common | Limited pressure sealing |
| Typical Applications | Pneumatic conveying, cement plants, chemical plants, steel plants | Gravity discharge systems | Low-pressure flow control |
Typical Applications
Clyde Dome Valves are used worldwide in demanding bulk material handling applications, including:
Cement and Minerals
- Dense phase pneumatic conveying
- Cement kiln dust handling
- Fly ash conveying
- Silo isolation
Iron and Steel Production
- Blast furnace dust catcher discharge
- Iron oxide dust handling
- Gasifier feed systems
- Lock hopper charging systems
Chemical Processing
- Reactor isolation
- Catalyst handling
- Polymer powder conveying
- Hazardous material containment
Energy and Environmental
- Waste-to-Energy plants
- Fly ash and sorbent injection
- Ash handling systems
Lifecycle Support
Clyde Pneumatic Conveying provides complete lifecycle support for all valve installations, including:
- OEM spare parts and seal replacement kits
- Valve inspection and maintenance services
- Valve refurbishment and upgrades
- Technical support and system optimisation
With over 50 years of experience in pneumatic conveying and process injection technologies, Clyde continues to support customers worldwide with reliable valve solutions and expert engineering support.
Our Specialities
Delivering innovative engineering solutions with proven expertise, we specialise in reliable, high-performance systems designed to optimise material handling efficiency, durability, and long-term operational success.
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Air Pollutions Control
Clyde Pneumatic Conveying provides specialist Air Pollution Control (APC) services supporting industrial operators across the Energy and Process Industries.
Learn MoreAir Pollution Control
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Pneumatic Conveying
Clyde Pneumatic Conveying is a global leader in dense phase pneumatic conveying systems.
Learn MorePneumatic Conveying
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Process Injection Systems
Our dense-phase injection technology can also be used for simultaneous multi-point injection.
Learn MoreProcess Injection Systems
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Pneumatic System Spares & Servicing
We provide comprehensive aftermarket spares and service support to ensure pneumatic conveying and materials-handling systems operate safely.
Learn MorePneumatic System Spares & Servicing
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Dome Valve Technology
Unlike conventional slide gates or butterfly valves, the Clyde Dome Valve uses a unique inflatable seal design.
Learn MoreDome Valve Technology
