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Articles for Difficult Products

Sep 13, 2023 by Terri Shipstone

How do I keep plastic pellets intact in conveying?

For the best end product, it’s important to keep plastic pellets in a uniform shape and size. Learn the best rotary valve configurations and tips to prevent issues.
Jan 16, 2023 by Terri Shipstone

How do I configure a valve for conveying cement?

In a heavy-duty setting, durability and reliability are key. These coatings and options help rotary valves handle cement and construction materials
Oct 17, 2022 by Terri Shipstone

Valves for sugar, spice, and all things nice

Fine, powdery materials like sugar can get your equipment into sticky situations. These rotary valves help prevent build-up and corrosion
Feb 10, 2022 by Megan Thompson

Can I replace my old valve with an ACS model?

Find out how easy it is to get a drop-in replacement rotary airlock valve for any manufacturer
Oct 14, 2021 by Nena Dallas

Rotary valves with niche appeal

Some airlock valves are built with a specific application in mind, and that’s what makes them great!
Jul 21, 2021 by Nena Dallas

Here’s how we configure rotary airlock valves

Rotary valves, like hot dogs, have lots of customization options. Learn how we do it at ACS
Jan 22, 2021 by Megan Thompson

5 best practices for cannabis processors

New to the cannabis industry or just looking for some efficient processing tips? ACS has you covered
Nov 05, 2020 by Megan Thompson

Find your fit: Valves for cannabis and health food applications

Niche applications such as cannabis and alternative health food processing work best with specially configured Quick-Clean valves
Jun 18, 2020 by Terri Shipstone

Stand up to corrosion with the XTR Series valve

The XTR Series rotary airlock valve comes fully armored with a corrosion-resistant, food-grade coating
Jun 09, 2020 by Wayne Beveridge

Avoid sticky situations with a rotary airlock feeder

The Aero-Flow feeder valve mixes material with pressurized air to prevent premature wear and boost consistency
Sep 13, 2019 by Paul Bowman

Avoid rotary valve jams with adjustable shear protectors

Adjustable shear protectors prevent jamming, keep materials intact and maintain an efficient fill capacity
Jun 24, 2019 by Megan Thompson

The sticking point: Examining flow issues in bins, hoppers and silos

An ADM speaker sheds light on powder and bulk solid flow patterns
Feb 21, 2019 by Paul Bowman

Flex or fixed? The difference between two rotor tip types

Find out which rotor tip type is right for your process
Nov 24, 2017 by Nena Dallas

What coatings mean for your valves

When your valve needs to weather a material storm, layering it up with a coating can help it keep moving. Here's how.
Apr 25, 2017 by Nena Dallas

How to increase the life expectancy of your machinery

That rickety old valve has broken down again, and you're tired of replacing it all the time. Here are some tips on how to ensure your valves last longer and give you less downtime.
Nov 26, 2015 by Nena Dallas

Why you shouldn't size your airlocks for 100% pocket fill

Using the same methods to size all of your feeder valves is a recipe for inefficiency
May 21, 2015 by Nena Dallas

How to convey sticky material with a blow-through

Conveying sticky material? Harness the efficiency of a blow-through valve, without the premature wear!

FAQs for Difficult Products

Q.
What options can help sticky material flow better?

A.
We have lots, and they depend on your application. One approach is coatings, like hard chrome or the abrasion resistant XTR-Coat, which can help material slide through the valve without sticking.

Before we make this answer too complicated, check out our blog on material flow tips.
Q.
Why is my valve squealing?

A.
You know what they say about squeaky wheels! It’s possible your rotor needs replacing: in our experience, the culprit is usually decreased rotor clearances.

It’s possible you’re also dealing with a mechanical problem with the drive chain or drive shaft, or some kind of foreign object is jammed inside.

Check your rotary valve maintenance manual for help with troubleshooting and repair.
Q.
Why use a shear pin sprocket with sawdust or wood fines?

A.
Sometimes the rotation of the rotor is reduced due to an overload of material, or larger pieces of material being fed through the valve, jamming in the clearances. In this case, shear pin sprockets will shear the pin on the sprocket, reducing the risk of damage to the rotor.
Q.
My valve is losing too much air, what could be the problem?

A.
Too much clearance between the rotor, endplates and or housing can result in air loss. Measure the rotor to endplate and rotor to housing clearances to confirm that they are an NFPA compliant 0.0079 inches. If the clearance is larger than this, it might be time to replace your rotor, rotary valve, or have it sent back to ACS for a repair or evaluation. Make sure to stick to a maintenance schedule and check your clearances at least every three months.
Q.
What is this capped pipe that is sticking out of the side of my valve?

A.
The capped pipe is called a housing vent port. Rotor pockets can sometimes contain a volume of pressured air, which can impede material flow into the airlock inlet, reducing your efficiency. Also, in conveying systems that run at 6 PSI and higher, large releases of air up the return side of the airlock can cause pulsing in the material flow into the conveying line. Using a vent helps solve both of these issues, and is also helpful in improving your fill efficiency.
Q.
Why do we recommend a shear protector for pellets, flakes or beads?

A.
Shear protectors reduce the flow of material at the valve's inlet. Reduced flow allows for better pocket fill and also reduces the risk of product jams in your housing clearances–ultimately protecting your product from damage.