Saving money, time and lives

Macsteel Fluid Control supplies a range of pipeline products designed to reduce the demands of backfill operations while delivering to the highest quality specifications. One of the products offered is the globally successful Victaulic® system, which answers numerous challenges identified by mine operators.

Victaulic® has been a leader in pipe joining for over 100 years. Their simple grooved pipe joining system means that installation on site is both safer and 50% faster than similar systems, with reduced maintenance downtime and extended durability, all of which lead to significant cost savings.

With the Victaulic® system, grooved end piping is connected using either the simple cross-ribbed flexible coupling or the high-pressure coupling for even more extreme conditions.

Offered in sizes from 3⁄4 to 24", the flexible coupling is designed with a robust cross-ribbed, two-piece housing construction that allows for deflection, expansion and contraction and can withstand pressures of up to 1000psi.

The high-pressure coupling meanwhile, is both double-grooved and double-bolted to withstand pressures of up to 4000psi - the highest pressure rating for a mechanical joint. It does this, while still maintaining a degree of flexibility to facilitate joining. Offered in sizes from 6 to 12", these couplings can be joined directly to a double-grooved pipe, eliminating special weld-on nipples and collars.

The Victaulic® system also has couplings designed for ring systems, HDPE piping and HDPE-to-Steel connections so that these systems can be quickly and easily connected to the Victaulic® pipeline products.

Where Victaulic® truly shines for backfill is with its three-way automated diverter valve. This diverter valve contains two backfill outlet ports, and one drain outlet port through which the backfill material can flow. The valve allows incoming backfill material to easily be directed from the inlet to either of the outlet ports giving mines the ability to quickly and easily direct backfill to where it is needed.

In the event of a blockage in one of these two backfill outlet ports, the valve can automatically be adjusted to redirect the flow to the drain outlet without interrupting the backfill process. This valve can also be operated under pressure to dump backfill. This enhances the efficiency of mining operations by reducing maintenance and downtime and increases safety by minimising the need for manual labour in the backfill process.

Together the valves, pipes and couplings lead to a system that’s safer, and more durable with faster installation, less maintenance downtime, and improved operational capacities. As a trusted Victaulic® supplier in Sub-Saharan Africa, Macsteel’s team is on standby to assist with any further questions you may have.