Rotary airlock valves are also called rotary feeders, rotary values, or just rotary airlocks. Used in both pressure-style and vacuum-style pneumatic conveying systems, these valves act as a “lock” to prevent air loss while instantaneously performing important material handling functions. Though simple, the rotary airlock valve is a critical component of the competence of a conveying system. It’s significant to remember that not all rotary valves are necessarily rotary airlock valves – but almost all rotary airlocks are rotary valves.
What Happens Inside a Rotary Airlock Valve
The vanes, or metal blades, of the Rotary Airlock Valve, turn during operation. As they do, pockets form between them. The material being handled enters the pockets through the inlet port before revolving around inside the valve & then exiting through the outlet port. In an airlock valve, the air is sealed between the inlet as well as outlet ports. This allows the materials to travel downward through the valve from the inlet to the outlet port whereas restricting the airflow. Material is moved unceasingly through the presence of constant air pressure between the ports. This pressure or vacuum difference inside the valve must be maintained for proper operation.
A Few Words About the Rotor Assembly
The rotor assembly in a rotary airlock valve contains of a set of blades welded to a rotary shaft. The rotor assembly in a rotary airlock valve is sometimes mentioned to as the paddle wheel, impeller, or paddle. A six-blade rotor has six metal blades attached to the shaft, an eight-vane rotor has the right one, and so on. A valve with more vanes tends to have better sealing capacity than on with fewer. As the number of blades increases, but, the size of the pockets between them decreases. The larger pocket is perfect for processing larger materials or materials that tend to stick together or pack together when compressed. Heavier materials & materials that flow quickly are not as significantly affected by the number of vanes and following pocket size. It is important to talk with a professional to figure out the optimal setup for the specific materials you will be handling. Another thing to discuss is whether you’ll need an open-end or closed-end rotor. In general, open-ended units are better suited for easy-flowing non-abrasive materials as well as closed-ended setups work best for materials that may have trouble flowing smoothly.
Common Causes of Airlock Valve Wear
Wear of the rotor, housing, or both is one of the leading causes of airlock valve failure. The Processing of abrasive materials reasons cumulative damage to the surfaces inside the valve. Surface drag abrasion occurs when materials are caught between two surfaces moving in different directions. It can also result from any kind of surface-to-surface contact where abrasive materials are between the two planes. Pneumatic-assisted abrasion occurs when turbulent air, or “blow” is created at the outlet port when using a pneumatic conveying system. This misdirected air can cause a significant loss of efficiency and material flow problems. This wayward air can additionally carry with it abrasive particles that can cause unnecessary damage to valve components.
Choosing the Rotary Airlock Valve Manufacturer India that will help your operations accomplish optimum efficiency is highly important, therefore don’t have to leave it up to chance. The experts at SAKSHAM can find or fabricate the perfect valve for your requirements. They also perform repairs on existing valves as well as will give you honest answers about whether repair or replacement is the better option in your situation.
Recent Comments