Built to Thrive Where Salt, Humidity, and Precision Collide
In aquafeed production, rotary valves operate in some of the toughest conditions found in bulk handling. Constant humidity, airborne salt, and abrasive feed dust combine to corrode and wear even the most robust components.
When these harsh elements meet the need for precision feeding of delicate pellets, most rotary valves struggle to keep performance steady, resulting in unplanned downtime and rising maintenance costs.
At European Gate Valves Ltd, as the UK and Ireland partner for TBMA, we supply and support rotary valves specifically engineered for marine and coastal environments, designed to perform reliably where standard valves fail.
The Pain: Corrosion, Pellet Damage, and Downtime
Aquafeed and fish-feed plants are typically located close to the coast, ideal for logistics but extremely challenging for equipment longevity. Salt-laden air, high humidity, and fine dust quickly take their toll.
Common issues include:
Corroded housings and shafts, leading to increased leakage and reduced efficiency
Worn rotor and stator clearances, causing airlock failure and poor dosing accuracy
Pellet breakage, reducing feed quality and increasing waste
Frequent cleaning or maintenance stops, driving up downtime and operational cost
Accelerated part wear, shortening component life and inflating spares budgets
Every maintenance intervention eats into production hours and increases cost per tonne, so reliability is crucial to profitability.
The Explanation: Why Standard Valves Do Not Last
Most rotary valves are designed for dry indoor duties. In a marine or coastal plant, moisture and salt penetrate seals and build up around the rotor, forming a corrosive paste that accelerates wear.
Once corrosion begins, internal clearances widen and the valve loses its airlock function, leading to pressure loss, irregular feeding, and product degradation. Compressors work harder to maintain flow, while operators are forced into more frequent cleaning and maintenance cycles.
For high-volume aquafeed systems running 24/7, even minor efficiency losses or shutdowns have a direct impact on yield and uptime.
The Solution: TBMA Rotary Valves Built for the Elements
TBMA’s seaworthy rotary valves are purpose-built to handle the challenges of coastal environments and sensitive feed products.
Key design features include:
⚙️ Precision-machined rotor clearances that maintain consistent sealing and prevent pellet damage
🔒 High-integrity shaft seals designed to maintain conveying pressure and exclude moisture
🔧 Modular construction with easy-access endplates for fast inspection and cleaning
🌡️ Custom build options, including stainless-steel configurations, ATEX-rated variants, and bespoke flange patterns
In a recent TBMA project for a coastal aquafeed plant, these seaworthy rotary valves achieved significantly longer service intervals and improved pellet integrity, demonstrating outstanding reliability under salt-air exposure and continuous operation.
As the UK and Ireland representative for TBMA, European Gate Valves Ltd provides specification support, installation, and local after-sales service, ensuring your system benefits from global engineering backed by local expertise.
The Benefits for Plant Operators
Choosing the right rotary valve is about reliability, product quality, and total cost of ownership.
With TBMA seaworthy rotary valves, operators can expect:
✅ Extended service life in high-humidity and marine environments
✅ Reduced maintenance frequency and downtime
✅ Consistent pellet quality and accurate dosing
✅ Lower spare-part consumption and running costs
✅ Local UK-based support and fast response from EGV
These valves are ideal for coastal feed mills, offshore barges, and any facility where corrosion or moisture has historically reduced system reliability.
Supporting Valve Refurbishment and Service
European Gate Valves operates a full refurbishment service for rotary valves, diverter, slide, and gate valves.
Worn units are stripped, inspected, re-sealed, and re-lined in-house – restoring performance to near-new condition and extending the life of high-value components. Valve Refurbishment and Repair
Talk to Us
If your plant handles fish feed, aquafeed, or bulk materials in marine or high-humidity environments and you are experiencing recurring valve issues, we can help.
As TBMA’s official UK and Ireland partner, European Gate Valves Ltd can recommend, supply, and support rotary valves that deliver true seaworthy performance.
For technical support or quotations:
📞 +44 (0)1902 409590
📧 sales@egatevalves.co.uk
For specifications, compatibility checks, or technical quotations:
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