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Articles for Technical Support

Name: ACS Valves
Address: 611 Argyle Street North, Caledonia, Ontario, N3W 1M1, Canada
Telephone: 1-905-765-2004
Price range: $

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.
Apr 15, 2024 by Paul Bowman

How to: Check rotor-to-housing tolerances
3 minute read
Keep your rotary airlock valve compliant with NFPA guidelines and maintain strong performance by checking your rotor-to-housing clearances regularly.
Mar 13, 2024 by Brittany Dollimore

How to choose a rotor for your valve’s application
5 minute read
Does your rotary airlock valve need a standard rotor or something more specific? Find out which rotor type you should choose based on your dry bulk material.
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.
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.
Jun 20, 2023 by Paul Bowman

How to: Reassemble a rotary valve
3 minute read
Just finished with maintenance? Follow these 8 steps to put your rotary airlock valve back together.
Nov 14, 2022 by Paul Bowman

How to: Clean a Quick-Clean Rotary Valve
3 minute read
Quick-Clean rotary valves are designed for fast, tool-less cleanup — just follow these steps to get it done
Aug 23, 2022 by Paul Bowman

How to: Remove a rotary valve endplate
3 minute read
Learn how to remove the endplate from a standard rotary airlock valve
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 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
Feb 13, 2020 by Megan Thompson

Need a rotary valve safety guide?
less than a minute read
We published some comprehensive rotary valve safety guidelines in Powder & Bulk Solids
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
Sep 13, 2019 by Paul Bowman

Avoid rotary valve jams with adjustable shear protectors
3 minute read
Adjustable shear protectors prevent jamming, keep materials intact and maintain an efficient fill capacity
Aug 27, 2019 by Megan Thompson

4 things to know about the ACS Valves team
3 minute read
We’re smart. We save you money. We do it fast. We’re here to help.
Jun 24, 2019 by Megan Thompson

The sticking point: Examining flow issues in bins, hoppers and silos
3 minute read
An ADM speaker sheds light on powder and bulk solid flow patterns
May 16, 2019 by Megan Thompson

How to size a pressure blower package
3 minute read
Convey dry bulk materials efficiently with the right pressure blower size and configuration
Dec 19, 2018 by Jeff Kolmer

3D design: The next big thing in manufacturing tech
3 minute read
Here’s why ACS engineers think 3D rendering is the manufacturing tech trend to watch
Nov 21, 2018 by Megan Thompson

6 critical spare parts for your conveying system
3 minute read
Keep your pneumatic conveying system running smoothly at all times with these essential spare parts
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
May 30, 2017 by Greg Thompson

The ultimate guide to valve rotor types
3 minute read
Give your material some TLC and keep your rotors lasting long. Here's a guide on which rotor works best for your application.
Mar 22, 2016 by Paul Bowman

3 things to consider when selecting a rotary valve
3 minute read
Some of us work better under pressure, while others like a longer, more drawn out process to stay in control. The same goes for materials as they pass through a conveying system.

FAQs for Technical Support

Q.
How do I repair a rotary valve?

A.
That depends on the problem, but common valve repair and maintenance procedures include lubricating parts, adjusting chains, and replacing the rotor, bearings, or shaft seals. Check your ACS Valves instruction manual for more specific guidance and call us if you need help.
Q.
How do I calculate rotary valve capacity?

A.
Capacity is the volume of material your rotary valve can handle per rotation. The calculation involves the rate of conveying, material bulk density, valve efficiency, and RPM of your rotor. We can help you with the math, but if you're just looking for a valve sizing recommendation, you can use our handy calculator tool.
Q.
Where can I find rotary valve specifications?

A.
All our rotary valve specifications and technical datasheets are available for download on our website. If you need a custom configuration, our sales reps can provide you with all the required drawings and specifications for that valve.
Q.
Which parts of a rotary valve do I need to replace?

A.
The most common parts you need to replace on a regular basis include the rotor, shaft seals, and bearings. It’s a great idea to keep spare parts for your rotary valve. We have an NFPA compliance kit you can order to have the most important parts on your shelf just in case you need to make a quick replacement.
Q.
Where do I get parts for my ACS rotary valve?

A.
Right here! ACS Valves manufactures all the rotary valve parts and accessories you might need. You can browse what we have on our site, check out technical brochures, or call one of our sales reps directly to determine exactly what you need.
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.
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.
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.
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.

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.

Learn more

LATEST BLOG

Fail-safe food safety tips for rotary valves

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Filter by topic

Articles for Technical Support

6 tips for storing a rotary airlock valve

How to: Check rotor-to-housing tolerances

How to choose a rotor for your valve’s application

How to: Renew rotor tip clearances

Why is my rotary valve making noise?

How to: Reassemble a rotary valve

How to: Clean a Quick-Clean Rotary Valve

How to: Remove a rotary valve endplate

Why configuration matters: Tips from a rotary airlock pro

Are rotary airlocks supposed to leak?

Need a rotary valve safety guide?

Yes, you actually do need to check your rotor clearances

Avoid rotary valve jams with adjustable shear protectors

4 things to know about the ACS Valves team

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

How to size a pressure blower package

3D design: The next big thing in manufacturing tech

6 critical spare parts for your conveying system

Signs your valve is haunted (or needs repairs)

Check out these 4 valve maintenance tips we published

The ultimate guide to valve rotor types

3 things to consider when selecting a rotary valve

Go ahead, make your valve

Fail-safe food safety tips for rotary valves

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