Does your rotary valve fit the hopper? Is it equipped for strong performance in your application? Does it have heated seats and a built-in GPS system?
We’re still working on that last one, but customization is a vital part of ordering a rotary airlock valve. There’s more to it than just choosing the right model. Sizing, materials, rotors, accessories, motor, and more are customizable for your process.
The result is better longevity, material flow, and performance, which translates to savings in the form of time and money. With extensive conveying knowledge, our team recommends customization options based on your application and system type.
These are the main components we configure to make sure your valve is a perfect fit.
Sizing
Rotary valves can be small units that fit in the palm of your hand, huge systems weighing hundreds of pounds, and a wide range of sizes in between. Size refers to the diameter of the valve’s inlet, but there are multiple calculations that go into sizing.
Of course, the valve must fit your machinery. It also needs to play well with the material and the speed of your system, so we need to know your designed conveying rate and material bulk density to properly size your valve.
Materials
For the valve housing’s materials of construction, you’re generally choosing from cast iron and various grades of stainless-steel. Stainless is a good option for sanitary or food-grade valves and valves that need to convey corrosive ingredients.
Rotors, bearings, and shaft seals can also be made with different materials that affect things like your valve’s temperature rating, sanitation, and compliance with NFPA rules.
Rotors
You can always choose a good old standard rotor with open, V-shaped vanes, but there are plenty of other options for tricky materials. For instance, U-shaped rotors make it easier to clean sticky ingredients, closed-end rotors protect your valve from abrasive material, and rotors with tiny grooves are designed specially for precise metering.
Coatings
You can add an extra layer of benefits to your rotary valve with a specialized coating. Depending on your application, a coating can prevent buildup and jams, improve material flow, help you stay compliant, and protect your valve from wear caused by abrasion or corrosion. Coatings can be applied to the housing, endplates, or rotor.
Accessories
When it comes to accessories, we’ll only recommend something if it makes sense for — yup, you guessed it — your material and application. Some accessories are designed to prevent shearing with pellets and similar chunky materials, some vent extra pressure that can build up in pneumatic conveying lines, and others blow air through the valve to aerate material and improve flow.
Bonus: The motor
By the way, even the rotary valve’s motor comes with an additional option. You can choose from a drive chain package and a direct drive motor, which is more efficient and makes maintenance easier because there’s no chain to adjust or lubricate.
Ready to start customizing a valve?
We’ve only scratched the surface of rotary airlock valve customization, but if we went into full detail, you’d be reading a book instead of a blog. We’ll leave it here and invite you to contact us when you’re ready to start configuring a valve. Don’t worry, it’s less like a quiz and more like a conversation — we’ll walk you through each step. Just get in touch!
