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Articles for Reliability

Oct 17, 2024 by Nena Dallas

Which rotary valves are best at handling fertilizer mix?
3 minute read
Fertilizer mixes tend to cause buildup and abrasion in your conveying equipment. Try these rotary airlock valve recommendations to boost longevity and material flow.
Sep 09, 2024 by Brittany Dollimore

6 tips for storing a rotary airlock valve
2 minute read
What’s the best way to handle and store a rotary airlock valve? Follow these tips to keep your valves in good shape.
Jul 11, 2024 by Brittany Dollimore

8 questions you should ask a rotary airlock supplier
4 minute read
Before you commit to a new rotary airlock valve supplier, make sure their team can answer these questions about valve design, safety features, customer support, and more.
Jun 20, 2024 by Brittany Dollimore

7 energy-saving tips for your processing plant
4 minute read
Bulk material processing takes a lot of energy! While you recharge with a coffee, read our tips to save energy in your plant.
Jun 20, 2024 by ACS Valves

6 ways to save time on rotary valve maintenance
4 minute read
Maintenance is non-negotiable, but it doesn’t have to cost hours of downtime. See our best tips for saving time on rotary airlock valve inspections, cleaning, and maintenance.
Mar 15, 2024 by Paul Bowman

Please don’t do these 5 things to your rotary valve
3 minute read
Seriously, just don’t do them. We’ll explain why you should avoid these 5 practices to keep your valve’s performance strong, ensure it always runs safely, and maximize its lifespan.
Feb 16, 2024 by Brittany Dollimore

Quiz: Do you know how to spot a high-quality valve?
6 minutes to complete
What are the signs of quality you should look for in a rotary airlock valve, and what should you avoid? Take the quiz to see if you have an eye for valves.
Oct 18, 2023 by Paul Bowman

How to: Renew rotor tip clearances
3 minute read
Follow these simple steps to check clearances and adjust the blades on a rotor with adjustable tips.
Sep 20, 2023 by Greg Thompson

Extra, extra: Read all about our conveying equipment
3 minute read
Though we specialize in rotary airlock valves, we also provide some extra conveying equipment.
Aug 10, 2023 by Greg Thompson

Protect your product: How outboard bearings keep valves safe
3 minute read
Why do we recommend outboard versus inboard bearings for rotary valves? It’s all about protecting your investments and your plant.
Jul 17, 2023 by Paul Bowman

Why is my rotary valve making noise?
3 minute read
If your rotary airlock valve is making squeaking or squealing noises, there are a few possible culprits at work. Check our troubleshooting guide to fix the issue.
Mar 15, 2023 by Megan Thompson

How do I get a rotary valve quote?
4 minute read
Everything you need to know about requesting a quotation for a rotary airlock or feeder valve.
Jan 16, 2023 by Terri Shipstone

How do I configure a valve for conveying cement?
3 minute read
In a heavy-duty setting, durability and reliability are key. These coatings and options help rotary valves handle cement and construction materials
Jul 20, 2022 by Terri Shipstone

Will your valve be trapped in shipping limbo? Here are 6 reasons not to worry
3 minute read
The ACS Valves team shares 3 ways it helps customers get their orders quickly, as well as 3 ways you can plan ahead
May 24, 2022 by Megan Thompson

Why configuration matters: Tips from a rotary airlock pro
4 minute read
Customization stories from an ACS rep with decades of experience in rotary airlock valve design
Feb 10, 2022 by Megan Thompson

Can I replace my old valve with an ACS model?
3 minute read
Find out how easy it is to get a drop-in replacement rotary airlock valve for any manufacturer
Dec 07, 2021 by Megan Thompson

Year in review: Our top blogs of 2021
2 minute read
Our most popular stories of the year cover topics like airlock leakage, air purge kits, common flow issues, and material characteristics
Nov 10, 2021 by Nena Dallas

Your rotary valve accessory guide
3 minute read
These are the main types of accessories that boost efficiency, longevity and safety in your rotary airlock valve
Oct 14, 2021 by Nena Dallas

Rotary valves with niche appeal
2 minute read
Some airlock valves are built with a specific application in mind, and that’s what makes them great!
Aug 18, 2021 by Megan Thompson

Choosing a rotary valve: 3 more things to consider
3 minute read
Find out how energy efficiency, NFPA safety and maintenance cycles impact your choice of rotary airlock valve
Jul 21, 2021 by Nena Dallas

Here’s how we configure rotary airlock valves
3 minute read
Rotary valves, like hot dogs, have lots of customization options. Learn how we do it at ACS
May 07, 2021 by Greg Thompson

Check out the Multi-Port Valve, our latest invention
3 minute read
This one-of-a-kind rotary valve features multiple compartments for added efficiency in high-volume applications
Apr 15, 2021 by Megan Thompson

Cleaning sucks! See 5 ways the Quick-Clean rotary valve speeds it up
3 minute read
The Sanitary Quick-Clean rotary airlock valve makes cleaning faster and easier with these 5 key features
Mar 29, 2021 by ACS Valves

Quiz: Material flow dos and don’ts
6 minutes to complete
Check out these common material flow scenarios in valves, hoppers and silos to see if you know the solution
Jul 16, 2020 by Megan Thompson

Don’t overstuff your pockets and 3 other material flow tips
3 minute read
Get the best material flow rate (and production efficiency!) by adjusting these key characteristics
Feb 17, 2020 by Paul Bowman

Are rotary airlocks supposed to leak?
3 minute read
The answer is yes… and no. Airlocks aren’t infallible, but there are ways to minimize leaks and keep air flow consistent
Jan 14, 2020 by Paul Bowman

Yes, you actually do need to check your rotor clearances
3 minute read
Measure your valve’s rotor-to-housing tolerances regularly to stay NFPA compliant and maximize material flow
Dec 13, 2019 by Wayne Beveridge

Certifiably awesome: 3 qualifications you need to make a high-quality valve
4 minute read
Certified machinists, welders and millwrights play integral roles in the rotary valve manufacturing process
Nov 22, 2019 by ACS Valves

Seriously, don’t buy a cheap valve
4 minute read
Quality machining, customization and aftermarket support add value to your rotary valve purchase
Oct 24, 2019 by Paul Bowman

Unchain your rotary valve with direct drives
3 minute read
Direct drive valves eliminate unnecessary parts to keep workers safe and minimize downtime
Oct 22, 2018 by Paul Bowman

Signs your valve is haunted (or needs repairs)
3 minute read
Is your rotary valve sending you these spooky warning signs? It may be time to repair or replace it
Oct 22, 2018 by Megan Thompson

Check out these 4 valve maintenance tips we published
less than a minute read
We covered four critical rotary valve maintenance tips in an article for Processing Magazine
Sep 26, 2018 by ACS Valves

Quiz: Test Your Valve Maintenance IQ
6 minutes to complete
Are you up to speed on the best rotary valve maintenance procedures?
Jun 29, 2018 by Megan Thompson

Equipping your rotary valves for feed and grain applications
3 minute read
An overview of the features you’ll need for easy cleaning, minimal buildup and a more efficient process overall
Apr 25, 2017 by Nena Dallas

How to increase the life expectancy of your machinery
3 minute read
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.
Oct 25, 2016 by ACS Valves

How to prevent corrosion and cross-contamination in your rotary valves
3 minute read
Even the smallest bit of rust from corroded machinery can damage your end product. Here's how to keep your product looking great.

FAQs for Reliability

Q.
My rotary valve is stuck. What do I do?

A.
If your rotary valve is not rotating, it could be an issue with the power, the chain, the gearbox, or a foreign object stuck in the valve’s inlet.

If it’s stuck because of material buildup, there are a few different areas to look at: inspect the supply source and the piping of your conveying line. The issue could also be related to excessive pocket fill, moisture, or blowby air.

These are all specific issues, so check your maintenance manual for more in-depth troubleshooting tips.
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.
I’m ordering a valve from the U.S. Do I need to worry about border delays or additional fees?

A.
Absolutely not! ACS is fully bonded, and we’re partnered with a company that picks up shipments daily. For you, that means no delays, customs duties or brokerage fees.

SEE ALL FAQS

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHT

Go ahead, make your valve

Put your own spin on our customizable valves to get the best valve for your application, material and industry.

Fail-safe food safety tips for rotary valves

The regulatory landscape is always changing, but there are surefire steps you can take to keep your valves and conveying systems free of contamination.