Megan Thompson

Articles written by Megan Thompson

• Apr 14, 2023 by Megan Thompson

  Quiz: What do you know about deflagrations?

  Deflagrations are a type of subsonic combustion, and they can pose a hazard to your processing facility. What do you know about them?

• Mar 15, 2023 by Megan Thompson

  How do I get a rotary valve quote?

  Everything you need to know about requesting a quotation for a rotary airlock or feeder valve.

• Feb 09, 2023 by Megan Thompson

  Airlocks for dust collection systems: The basics

  Everything you need to know about rotary airlock valves for dust collector applications

• Dec 07, 2022 by Megan Thompson

  New year roundup: Our most-read blogs of 2022

  This year, 4 topics were most popular with readers: Rotary valve sizing, NFPA compliance, endplate removal, and drop-in replacements

• Jun 20, 2022 by Megan Thompson

  Quiz: Workplace safety statistics to know

  See if you can guess these key stats from OSHA, NFPA, and other workplace safety organizations

• May 24, 2022 by Megan Thompson

  Why configuration matters: Tips from a rotary airlock pro

  Customization stories from an ACS rep with decades of experience in rotary airlock valve design

• Apr 22, 2022 by Megan Thompson

  What is an NFPA compliant valve?

  Find out if your rotary airlock valve is configured for optimal safety and NFPA compliance

• 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

• Jan 17, 2022 by Megan Thompson

  What do I really need to know about rotary valve sizing?

  Rotary airlock valves are sized depending on the material and application, but some general rules apply

• Dec 07, 2021 by Megan Thompson

  Year in review: Our top blogs of 2021

  Our most popular stories of the year cover topics like airlock leakage, air purge kits, common flow issues, and material characteristics

• Sep 23, 2021 by Megan Thompson

  Quiz: What do you know about bulk material characteristics?

  Material characteristics impact the way bulk ingredients flow through your rotary valve and conveying line. Can you ace our quiz about them?

• Aug 18, 2021 by Megan Thompson

  Choosing a rotary valve: 3 more things to consider

  Find out how energy efficiency, NFPA safety and maintenance cycles impact your choice of rotary airlock valve

• Jun 10, 2021 by Megan Thompson

  Why should I keep a historical maintenance log?

  Tracking maintenance helps you protect workers, keep equipment in good condition, and comply with NFPA regulations

• May 19, 2021 by Megan Thompson

  Eat up these health food conveying tips

  A healthy conveying line needs these key components for efficient food processing

• Apr 15, 2021 by Megan Thompson

  Cleaning sucks! See 5 ways the Quick-Clean rotary valve speeds it up

  The Sanitary Quick-Clean rotary airlock valve makes cleaning faster and easier with these 5 key features

• 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

• Dec 08, 2020 by Megan Thompson

  Readers’ picks: Top 4 ACS blogs of 2020

  As Earth finishes another rotation around the sun, our valves keep revolving around you. Here are our top blogs of 2020

• Nov 18, 2020 by Megan Thompson

  Quiz: Are you up to speed on rotary valve safety?

  Take the quiz to see if you’re well-versed in the best rotary valve safety practices

• 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

• Sep 18, 2020 by Megan Thompson

  I missed the DHA deadline! What happens now?

  The deadline for dust hazard analyses (DHAs) has passed, but you can still take steps to stay compliant with NFPA 652

• Aug 17, 2020 by Megan Thompson

  I’m ordering a new rotary valve. Do I need an air purge kit?

  Air purge kits supply compressed air to the rotary valve to prevent wear and extend longevity

• Jul 16, 2020 by Megan Thompson

  Don’t overstuff your pockets and 3 other material flow tips

  Get the best material flow rate (and production efficiency!) by adjusting these key characteristics

• May 20, 2020 by Megan Thompson

  Why we recommend ACST-4 shaft seals for valves

  Shaft seals are some of the fastest rotary valve parts to wear out. We’ll tell you which seal type has the most longevity and why

• Apr 21, 2020 by Megan Thompson

  Quiz: What do you know about DHAs?

  Industrial facilities need to conduct Dust Hazard Analyses (DHAs) by September 7, 2020. What do you know about the process?

• Mar 30, 2020 by Megan Thompson

  COVID-19 update: Keeping the supply chain strong and safe (Mar. 30)

  You can count on us to implement safe practices and keep you supplied with rotary valves and accessories

• Feb 13, 2020 by Megan Thompson

  Need a rotary valve safety guide?

  We published some comprehensive rotary valve safety guidelines in Powder & Bulk Solids

• Aug 27, 2019 by Megan Thompson

  4 things to know about the ACS Valves team

  We’re smart. We save you money. We do it fast. We’re here to help.

• Jul 12, 2019 by Megan Thompson

  Feed your brain with these food and beverage trends

  Another ADM speaker dishes about the state of the food and beverage industry

• Jul 11, 2019 by Megan Thompson

  Meet two new ACS sales reps!

  Sales reps Herb and Trisha will represent ACS in Kansas and partial Nebraska, Missouri and Iowa

• 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

• May 16, 2019 by Megan Thompson

  How to size a pressure blower package

  Convey dry bulk materials efficiently with the right pressure blower size and configuration

• Apr 24, 2019 by Megan Thompson

  Pop Quiz: NFPA Valve Compliance, Part 2

  Here’s another test of your NFPA rotary valve knowledge. Are you ready?

• Mar 18, 2019 by Megan Thompson

  Meet the new Iris Gravity Valve

  Introducing an iris valve for manual control in gravity-flow applications

• Jan 14, 2019 by Megan Thompson

  Why choose a valve on rails?

  Valves on rail systems deliver better ROI in several applications

• Nov 21, 2018 by Megan Thompson

  6 critical spare parts for your conveying system

  Keep your pneumatic conveying system running smoothly at all times with these essential spare parts

• Oct 22, 2018 by Megan Thompson

  Check out these 4 valve maintenance tips we published

  We covered four critical rotary valve maintenance tips in an article for Processing Magazine

• Aug 23, 2018 by Megan Thompson

  Don’t take your rotary airlock skydiving and six other useful tips

  Keep your personnel safe from job hazards with these valve operation tips and tricks

• Jul 30, 2018 by Megan Thompson

  Step up your valve game: Options for a more efficient process

  Optimize your conveying system with these rotary valve extras

• Jun 29, 2018 by Megan Thompson

  Equipping your rotary valves for feed and grain applications

  An overview of the features you’ll need for easy cleaning, minimal buildup and a more efficient process overall

• May 22, 2018 by Megan Thompson

  The ABCs of NFPA Valve Compliance

  Key terms for your education on NFPA safety

• Apr 24, 2018 by Megan Thompson

  NFPA guidelines: Replacing your uncompliant parts

  Stay safe and compliant with these rotary valve replacement tips

• Oct 04, 2017 by Megan Thompson

  OSHA is sweeping combustible dust under the rug

  Preventing dust explosions should be at the top of your agenda when planning plant safety, and we have the low-down on how to do just that.

• Feb 28, 2017 by Megan Thompson

  Protect your workers from toxic chemicals

  Breathing in toxic fumes won't give you superpowers. Here's a list of ways to avoid overexposure to toxic chemicals in your plant.

• Jun 24, 2016 by Megan Thompson

  Everything you need to know about NFPA 652

  The NFPA has a new standard for combustible dust across all commodity-specific manufacturing industries worldwide. Find out what the standard includes and how to make your plant compliant.

• May 25, 2016 by Megan Thompson

  What you need to know about isolation devices

  An explosion in your machinery doesn't have to lead to a plant-wide disaster. Read about ways to reduce the spread of flames with properly designed isolation devices and rotary airlock valves.

• Feb 26, 2016 by Megan Thompson

  ACS deconstructs deflagration

  Understanding the dangers of deflagration can help you better prevent plant fires and explosions.