Mining

The production method is selected according to the location and potential of the deposit. Open-cast mining is used for extracting near-surface raw materials, such as brown coal. Underground, seam-like deposits such as black coal are mined in mines, while crude oil, natural gas or brines in salt mines are extracted via deep boreholes.

All mining and processing operations take place under extreme environmental conditions. Underground, there is an explosive atmosphere with large amounts of dust and gas emissions. Dirt, moisture and heat do the rest. In open-cast mining, on the other hand, temperatures are often below zero. Both types of raw material extraction transport large quantities of groundwater over long distances. This involves moving mixtures of water, debris and ores. Machines that break up and mine seams underground must be protected against thermal overload. The demand for dust-binding, cooling and drainage systems is high. Such specific environmental conditions require materials that are resistant to high temperatures and frost as well as robust, reliable and low-maintenance valves with ATEX approval.

In this special atmosphere self-acting pressure reducing valves, ventilation valves or vacuum breakers from Mankenberg provide process safety. They are designed for high pressures and high flow rates and work reliably without external energy. The use of deep-drawn stainless steel guarantees an extremely high and long-lasting corrosion resistance even in case of heavily aggressive media. Often the seat and cone are hardfaced to protect against the aggressive particles in the mine water. Outdoor installation in the surface drainage systems of open-cast mines requires functional reliability even at sub-zero temperatures.

Mankenberg valves are also ideally suited for the maritime environment with the worldwide increasing mining of new exploitation sites in the deep sea.