Frequently Asked Questions - Pet Food industry

If you swap ingredients often, you can cut downtime significantly by installing a quick-cleaning rotary valve. These are built on a rail system with handles that make it easy to open up the valve, clean the internal surfaces, and close it up without using tools. Another option is a valve with multiple compartments for split feeds, where each compartment can handle a different ingredient.

There are a few good choices depending on your material. A standard V-shaped rotor does well in many cases, though we often specify U-shaped rotors to prevent material from packing in the creases — this makes cleaning and sanitation much easier. If you’re metering small batches, you might need a Reduced Volume Rotor or a Staggered Pocket Rotor to control the flow rate. 

Outboard bearings are mounted on the outside of a rotary valve’s housing, while inboard bearings sit on the inside of the endplates. Because they’re located closer to the seal, inboard bearings are typically associated with more frequent repairs and a greater risk of contamination. Outboard bearings leave a gap between the seal and bearings, which makes them safer and more reliable in the long run.

Yes. If your facility generates combustible dusts, these safety features are non-negotiable (and unlike other vendors, ACS Valves does not charge extra for them). According to NFPA rules, a compliant rotary valve has metal tips on the rotor assembly, outboard bearings, and rotors with eight vanes or more. Some options will depend on your exact application, but a valve expert can guide you in the right direction. 

The key to storing a valve is to keep it covered in a warm, dry, and clean location to prevent condensation and contamination. For long-term storage, the valve should be kept in a temperature-controlled facility with a weatherproof covering. Check this blog or your valve manual for more detailed instructions.

While we understand the temptation for a quick fix, we definitely don’t recommend hitting your valve with hammers, wrenches, or whatever tools you have on hand. It only damages the valve and doesn’t help with material blockage. If you need help improving material flow, speak to one of our valve experts for recommendations specific to your application.

Not all rotary valves are designed to be interchangeable between ingredients, but ACS Valves has options for plants with split conveying feeds or multiple ingredients. The Multi-Port valve is one to consider, since it features multiple separate compartments in a single valve, making it easier to convey materials from different lines into a single valve. Many of our customers also use the Quick-Clean valve to convey multiple ingredients, because it can be cleaned and sanitized quickly thanks to its rail-based design.

Rotary airlock valves can be specified with features that support food safety and sanitation goals. We often recommend stainless-steel materials of construction, special coatings, and valves designed on a rail system for easy disassembly and cleaning.

Whether you’re conveying ingredients for medicated pet foods, kibble with allergen control, or any pet food that must adhere to strict food safety guidelines, it’s important to prevent cross-contamination between batches. Make sure your valve is designed with outboard bearings and reliable shaft seals that are easy to replace.

To quickly wipe away residual product that may harbor bacteria, choose a Quick-Clean design, which allows you to open up the valve without tools for fast and easy cleaning. You might also consider sanitary materials and coatings, such as stainless-steel and XTR-Coat.