February 9, 2011

8 Min Read
Valves, Gates, & Airlocks Spotlight - February 2011

Smoot

Click to enlarge

Slide Diverter Valve
The three-position slide diverter valve features a unique sealing method that uses regulated compressed air applied to the sealing rings. This results in an airtight seal between the inlet and outlet ports and allows the valve to be used in either pressure or vacuum pneumatic conveying systems. This design minimizes line deflection. The valve is bi-directional and is ideal for divert or converge applications. Smoot, Kansas City, KC 800-748-7000 www.smootco.com

Pebco

Click to enlarge

Externally Adjustable Slide Gate
This externally adjustable slide gate was developed to address a service issue that has been a concern for years with traditional slide gates. Traditional slide gates incorporate an internal perimeter seal arrangement. To access these seals the traditional gate required the equipment above the gate to be emptied and the gate was removed from operation for maintenance. The externally adjustable seal arrangement has eliminated the need for emptying equipment above the gate. The gate seals are accessible from the outside of the gate and are external to the product flow area. This arrangement extends seal life. With ease in accessing the seals and the seals no longer in direct contact with product flow, maintenance time is minimized. The external seal design slide gate offers maintenance personnel flexibility in inspecting, adjusting, or replacing the seal arrangement with minimum down time. Pebco, Paducah, KY 800-707-3226 www.pebco.com

Aerodyne

Click to enlarge

Gate Valves
GatorGate Double-Dump valves feed and efficiently move chunky, fibrous, and abrasive material. These valves work with low-pressure air- or gravity-feed systems where standard rotary valves are prone to failure. The valves have spring-loaded gate arms that open and close alternately, preventing air seepage and maintaining proper pressure. The standard cam-operated gate mechanism is actuated with an electric motor and offers a cost-effective alternative to pneumatically controlled valves. Typical applications of these valves include dry and bulk material handling in wood, scrap metal, plastics, cement, and various manufacturing industries. Available in sizes of 8-, 10-, and 12-in. inlet diam, they can handle flow rates from 85 to 320 cu-ft/hr, withstanding temperatures up to 750°F. Their design provides low maintenance in dust collection, mixing, batch feeding, drying, material recovery, and gravity-fed hopper operations where rotary valves fail. Aerodyne, Chagrin Falls, OH 800-358-7546 www.AerodyneUs.com

Pelletron Corp.

Click to enlarge

Low-Leakage Rotary Valves
Saving energy was the underlying factor for the development of a low-leakage rotary valve for pneumatic conveying of granular and powder products. The newly-developed rotor is designed with expanded tips at the end of the rotor blades. Wider vanes result in lower air leakage. In combination with the special rotor design, the number of rotor blades was increased. The valves are available for various differential pressure applications for 22 to 50 psi. The valves are designed for conveying capacities of 5000 lb/hr to 100 tn/hr. The combination of wide end tips, increased number of vanes, and optimized venting provides a rotary valve with low air leakage. The valves are available in stainless steel and stainless steel/AL combination. Various sizes are available as quick clean valve version. Pelletron Corp., Lancaster, PA 717-293-4008 www.pelletroncorp.com

Carolina Conveying Inc.

Click to enlarge

Rotary Airlock Valves
Three types of heavy-duty rotary airlocks are available: Drop Thru, Blow Thru, and Side Entry. All of these valves come standard with regreasable bearings, helical gearboxes, predrilled body vents, and predrilled air purge connections. These valves are rated up to 20 psi pressure differentials and are available for temperatures in excess of 1000°F. All valves feature large rotor shafts with thick beveled blades as standard. Numerous options are available to meet all application requirements. Carolina Conveying Inc., Canton, NC 828-235-1005 www.carolinaconveying.com

Rotolok Valves Inc.

Click to enlarge

Heavy-Duty Rotary Airlock
The heavy-duty Drop-Thru rotary airlock is suitable for use on both gravity and pneumatic conveying applications up to 20 psi. The airlock is available with both round and square flanges and is of a heavy-duty design with outboard bearings and gland-type shaft seals. Numerous rotor options are available including open and closed end, fixed or adjustable blades, bevel edges, scalloped pockets, reduced capacity, Teflon coated, and flexible rubber tips. Sizes range from 3.5 to 36 in. Blowing seals, offset, dust collection, and special size airlocks are also available, in addition to slide gates and diverter valves. Rotolok Valves Inc., Monroe, NC 704-282-4444 www.rotolok.com

Bush & Wilton Inc.

Click to enlarge

Parallel Bore Rotary Airlock
The MSRP Series parallel bore rotary airlock is designed so that the maximum number of blades remain in contact with the body at one time, without affecting throughput. A substantial throat opening at valve entry allows high pocket filling efficiency. There is minimum clearance at the rotor tips and sides with the body. Robust body construction prevents distortion. Airlock sizes range from 6 to 16 in. with square or round flange patterns. The valve is suitable for operation up to 750ºF and conveying pressures of 20 psi. Bush & Wilton Inc., Charlotte, NC 704-573-6858 www.bushandwilton.com

Precision Machine & Manufacturing Inc.

Click to enlarge

Self-Cleaning Rotary Valve
A second rotor has been added to the PMV modular rotary valve to give it self-cleaning capability. The second rotor of the PMDS double rotor modular rotary valve is synchronized and gear-driven to scrape the primary rotor clean on each revolution. The double rotor valve is precisely engineered in the same manner as the company’s single rotor valves, with modular construction that makes them quicker and easier to maintain and service than valves with cast housings. Like the PMV rotary valve, the PMDS can be manufactured in standard (mild steel), severe-duty (500 brinnel alloy), or ultra valve (case-hardened) models. It can also be manufactured from stainless steel if required and is available in the same size range as the PMV rotary valve. Precision Machine & Manufacturing Inc., Eugene, OR 800-722-9841 www.premach.com

Vortex Valves North America

Click to enlarge

Abrasion-Resistant Slide Gate
The new gravity flow slide gate is as robust as the Vortex Aggregate Gate, but has the superior dust-tight seal of the Vortex roller gate. The Titan Series abrasion resistant slide gate is ideal for abrasive materials such as whole grains, coal, metal powders, or minerals up to 400°F. Features that enable the gate to close through a standing column of material are the beveled, abrasion-resistant blade and a displacement pocket on the closing end of the valve. The slide gate features “live loaded” wear compensating seals that prevent materials from escaping into the bonnet area of the gate. Modifications are offered to accommodate temperatures, corrosive, humid, and explosive environments. The slide gate is available in standard sizes from 6 to 30 in., with custom square or rectangular sizes up to 72 in. and larger. Vortex Valves North America, Salina, KS 785-825-7177 www.vortexvalves.com

Posi-flate

Click to enlarge

High-Temperature Butterfly Valve
The Series 470 high-temperature butterfly valve is an elastomeric seated valve capable of providing a bubble-tight seal at temperatures up to 650°F and pressures up to 200 psi. This valve features a liquid-cooled disc and flanges to keep the elastomer seat cool. Together, the flanges and the disc fully encapsulate the seat in the closed position, protecting it from the hot material. The application will determine which of these components need to be cooled. The cooling fluid is directed through the housing to the disc, flows around the disc edge, and comes out the other end. The flanges have internal cooling passages with their own individual cooling ports. Standard sizes range from 2 to 16 in. The valve materials can be customized to give the best value and performance for an application. Posi-flate, St. Paul, MN 651-484-5800 www.posiflate.com

M.O. Industries Inc.

Click to enlarge

Containment Valve
This new containment butterfly split valve is available in 4-, 6-, 8-, and 10-in. sizes. During its OEL test with SMEPAC it achieved a level of <.2 µg/cu m, and can operate at 45 psi, with vacuum versions operating at -1 bar. Although both active and passive valves are made of 316L stainless steel, they are extremely lightweight and easy to handle. The seal around the disk is small to reduce cost and maintenance time. Cleaning is fast and easy with this valve with disk removal in less than 5 minutes. Muller MC 316L stainless steel butterfly valves are still available, as are test valves. M.O. Industries Inc., Whippany, NJ 973-386-9228 www.MOindustries.com

Sign up for the Powder & Bulk Solids Weekly newsletter.

You May Also Like