By Greg Washburn and Joshua Belisle · Edited by Dana Gardner
Published August 9, 2024 · Reviewed by Greg Washburn · September 2, 2026
Summary
What does a station valve do in a vacuum conveying system?
A station valve controls when vacuum reaches an individual receiver in a central conveying system. When the valve receives a signal to load, its disc opens and vacuum pulls material into the receiver, while a reinforced filter disc in the receiver lets air through and keeps pellets out of the vacuum line. Valves can be built into receivers or mounted separately near each one.
A station valve is required for every receiver. You may choose receivers with a built-in station valve or you may choose individual station T valves that are mounted near each receiver. These are often mounted above the receivers but some brands can be mounted on their side so they can be located behind or below receivers. They are easier to reach and they minimize overhead clutter.
How a Station T Valve Functions:
When the disc is seated in the closed position, the vacuum passes through the sequencing valve. When the valve receives a signal to load the receiver, the disc opens, allowing vacuum to pull material into the receiver. A reinforced filter disc, in the receiver, allows air to pass through it while keeping the pellets from being drawn into the vacuum line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should station valves be built into the receiver or mounted separately?
Either works. You can choose receivers with a built-in station valve or individual station valves mounted near each receiver. Separate valves are often mounted above the receivers, but some designs can be mounted on their side behind or below the receivers, which makes them easier to reach and minimizes overhead clutter.
What keeps pellets from being pulled into the vacuum line at a receiver?
A reinforced filter disc inside the receiver lets air pass through while keeping pellets from being drawn into the vacuum line. When the station valve opens on a load signal, vacuum pulls material into the receiver, and the filter disc keeps the pellets in the receiver while the air continues through.
About the Authors
Vice President of Operations, Novatec
Greg Washburn is Vice President of Operations at Novatec and has been with the company for more than three decades. He is involved in all phases of engineering design and product manufacturing, giving him a broad perspective on how resin drying and conveying equipment moves from engineering concept through production and into real-world processing environments. Greg holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) and an MBA from Loyola University Maryland. His experience spans engineering, manufacturing and operations across Novatec’s material-handling technologies.
Technology Manager, Novatec
Joshua Belisle is Technology Manager at Novatec, where his work focuses on simulation and technology development for resin drying. He earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Engineering Business from the University of Virginia in 2023 and joined Novatec that same year. Joshua uses simulation tools to investigate previously difficult-to-measure aspects of the drying process, helping Novatec better understand airflow, heat transfer and other variables that influence resin-drying performance.
Related Articles
Review how a common-line conveying system distributes resin to multiple destinations.
Understand how take-off boxes introduce resin into conveying lines and regulate transport airflow.
Explore proportioning and purge valves used to mix materials and clear conveying lines.
Ask the Expert
