The processing of most food products is fairly easy hence the basic valve design can be used without compromising the product. Foods such as salt, sugar, baking soda, wheat, rolled oats, rice, dry beans, dried corn etc. that contain preserving or sterilizing agents and do not pose any corrosion risks can be processed by a standard constructed valve. On the other hand, foods such as fatty milk powder, and infant food products have a high degree of sensitivity and require the use of a properly configured valve. The configurations include stainless-steel with a polished internal surface. The dairy sector also makes use of the properly configured rotor valve significantly. The valve is responsible for material movement whilst maintaining sanitary surroundings. The valve is designed to keep away from bacteriological contamination.

This industry needs a valve that can simultaneously withstand the material’s hostility and maintain proper functionality. The valve serves two main purposes, (i) to behave like a lock – prevention of fire and gas reflux. (ii) to behave as a feeder – feeding the biomass to the pneumatic conveying line that conveys the biomass to the burning chamber. Thanks to the advanced geometry of the valve, large sized biomass particles of up to 50mm can be fed to the conveying line. The valves can be manufactured from carbon steel or cast iron. Further enhancements for durability are possible by means of coating.

Steel, aluminum, cast iron, bronze, and brass are some of the common raw materials used in many industries. Foundries are places that generate a high amount of dust. Metal melting and casting are the primary sources of dust emission. Dust collection systems are used to provide a safer environment. The dust is carried from the source by a suction tube attached to the dust collector with the hooper at the bottom. The hooper is fitted at the bottom with a rotary valve for continued release of dust. The dust enters the dust collector, and the heavy particles fall down to the hooper due to the baffle plates used in the system, then exits via the rotary valve into the bin.

Similar to the processing of infant foods in the food industry, the valve used in the chemical industry must be corrosion resistant, easy to clean, and able to withstand harsh environments. This industry involves the movement of delicate and pure chemicals whose purity cannot be imperiled. Hiccups must be avoided at all costs because of the nature of the industry.

Just as the name ‘aggregate’ entails, this industry is responsible for the manufacturing of building materials such as materials driven from the Earth’s core (sand, asphalt, cement, sandstone, garnet, ceramic, silicon carbide, slag etc.). Due to the nature of the industry, the valve must be solid to put up with the materials roughness and toughness. The prime function is to convey the material from an inlet down through its desired point of work. The valve must have the following characteristics; abrasion resistant, Hardox rotor and housing, and coated internal surface with tungsten carbide or hard chrome. This particular valve is not only used in this industry, but also in asphalt, cement, coal, and mining industries just to mention a few.

This is one of the industries that immensely makes use of the rotary feeder. The rotary valve is used mostly for handling grains. The grains are supplied to the valve, then the valve discharges the grains to the conveying pipeline. Properly selected rotary valves provide good service without harming handled product.

Other bulk materials handled include cement, calcite, ash, glass powder, marble powder, plastic pellets, sawdust, fly ash, coal, coal dust, wheat, flour, barley, feed, seed, corn, chickpea, bean, soybean, sesame, rice, rice flour, dried fruit, nuts, peanut, almond, sunflower seed, cotton seed, grain cereals, chestnut, coffee grain, coffee powder, sugar, salt, spice.

Rotary airlocks or valves are used to control the flow of bulk solids from silos, hopper or cyclones. Rotary valves provide continuous, reliable bulk solid flow like wheat, grain, cement, pellets.

Silo emptying, cyclone discharging, dust collection systems, dosing, batching, mixing, pneumatic conveying applications, conveyor feeding / unloading, screw feeder feeding / discharging, machinery and equipment feeding / discharging

Wide range of rotary valve models and configurations are available for different process conditions and physical properties of transferred bulk solids. According to process (silo, cyclone, jet filter, conveyor, pneumatic conveying system etc.) ; according to bulk material (fine powder, granule, abrasive, elastic, high temperature etc.)

Throughout the industrial sector, the use of a rotary valve is undeniable. Since its inception, its use in industries has progressively grown. Its utilization can range from food and pharmaceutical to agricultural and milling industries – nearly every industry out there makes use of it to its full capacity.

Polimak provides its customers with state-of-the-art accessories that help improve the already existing bulk solid handling equipment. Most of our accessories are available in different shapes and sizes so that their functions can be adopted to a wide range of equipment.

Technical catalogs, product brochures, installation, operation and maintenance manuals of rotary valves.

Polimak renders a wide range of industrial production rotary valves (or airlock valves) with innovative options and accessories. Options and accessories ensure smooth and efficient functions as well as safe operation over time. Rotary valve endplates, housings and drive connections/systems are some of the valve’s parts where these features can be installed. Some of the options and accessories that allow enhanced material handling by our rotary valves include:

Also referred to as a discharge blow-through adapter, a pneumatic conveying line connection adapter is used in pneumatic conveying systems to efficiently introduce dry bulk materials into a conveying stream in a preferably low turbulence manner. The flange can either have a circular, square or rectangular shape and can be used with both flow-through and offset rotary valves.

Slide gate valves are engineered to offer efficient flow control of free-falling bulk materials. They are able to close off the material flow, hence they are sometimes referred to as close off valves or maintenance slide gate valves. Slide gates are designed with circular, square or rectangular flanges and can be fitted above a rotary valve.

A shaft air purge (SAP) is an essential feature to add to rotary valves, especially the ones used for handling fine bulk material. It is used to blow air past a shaft seal and bearings by introducing minimal amounts of compressed air through a valve’s cover plates to prevent contamination. A shaft air purge is also known as a shaft seal purge.

A rotor pocket purge is used for dry bulk materials with the tendency of filling up inside the rotor pockets, especially in the V-shaped rotor pockets. Compressed air is passed through the rotor area and prevents material build-up inside the pockets. Cavity air purge (CAP) is commonly used for closed-end rotor types handling abrasive, chip or flake dry bulk solids. A cavity air purge is typically used for abrasion reduction of rotor shrouds and cover plates. Abrasion reduction is achieved by blowing off bulk materials that try to settle between shrouds and end-plates.

Also known as a rotational sensor,  a zero speed switch is a safe option that can be used with any rotary valve model. It is mounted on the valve’s shaft guard on the non-drive end and is connected to a control system. It alerts a programmable logic controller (PLC) system when the rotation of the rotor shaft stops. This option comes in handy with regard to monitoring the valve.

Some dry bulk materials such as plastic pellets, wood pellets, plastic flakes, nuts etc., are susceptible to breaking easily during handling. A shear protector is used to reduce breakage occurrences during operations. Its configuration includes a bent wiper with a flexible polyurethane tip at the end. This configuration helps prevent bulk materials from jamming as they flow into a functioning rotary valve. As the bulk material flows in via the entry port, any material overflow is swept into the next rotor pocket.

Rotary airlocks or valves are used to control the flow of bulk solids from silos, hopper or cyclones. Rotary valves provide continuous, reliable bulk solid flow like wheat, grain, cement, pellets.

Wide range of rotary valve models and configurations are available for different process conditions and physical properties of transferred bulk solids. According to process (silo, cyclone, jet filter, conveyor, pneumatic conveying system etc.) ; according to bulk material (fine powder, granule, abrasive, elastic, high temperature etc.)

Silo emptying, cyclone discharging, dust collection systems, dosing, batching, mixing, pneumatic conveying applications, conveyor feeding / unloading, screw feeder feeding / discharging, machinery and equipment feeding / discharging

Because an ATEX certified valve does not pose an explosion risk, it is frequently utilized with explosive materials. All ATEX certified devices are utilized with atmospheres having the possibility of explosion occurrence because of materials that are likely to ignite.

Polimak provides its customers with state-of-the-art accessories that help improve the already existing bulk solid handling equipment. Most of our accessories are available in different shapes and sizes so that their functions can be adopted to a wide range of equipment.

Technical catalogs, product brochures, installation, operation and maintenance manuals of rotary valves.

Rotary valve drive connections designed and manufactured by Polimak come in three different variations, the worm gear reducer connection, direct coupling connection and the chain drive connection. These drive connections are implemented to a rotary valve through a rotary valve rotor.

A worm gear is the fundamental component of a worm gear reducer direct connection. It is a compact gearing equipment used for high motor speed reduction to produce low-speed output with high torque – hence the term ‘worm gear reducer’. The low-speed output is determined by the thread number on a worn and the number of teeth on a worm wheel. In other words, the output speed is based on the reduction ratio. Worm gears are used in various equipment including rotary valves. An electric drive motor and a worm gear reducer form a drive system (worm gear reducer drive) that is directly connected to a valve rotor shaft. This connection ensures reduced rotation of the rotor shaft inside the valve housing, thereby allowing smooth and controlled bulk material flow with  the system.

The main component in a direct coupling drive connection is a coupling, also referred to as a shaft coupling. Shaft couplings are designed to transmit torque between a driving shaft and a driven shaft. They consist of two hubs, one fixed at the end of each rotating shaft. Torque is transmitted through these hubs. An electric drive motor and a driven machine (rotary valve) are directly connected using a shaft coupling. The coupling cannot reduce the motor’s rotating speed and for this reason, a worm gear reducer is used to ensure low-speed output. A direct coupling drive connection offers some of the following benefits; the absorption of mounting errors (shaft misalignment), vibration absorption during operation etc.

A chain drive is used for transmitting mechanical power from an electric drive motor to a driven shaft. It consists of a chain and two or more sprockets (two sprockets are typically used with rotary valves). The sprockets are attached to the drive motor shaft and the driven shaft (valve rotor shaft). The chain holes (pitches) fit over the sprocket teeth. Power is transmitted through the chain during operation. A worm gear reducer is used with chain drive connections because they cannot reduce the output rotating speed of a motor.

DRIVE CONNECTIONS FAQ

What is a drive system?

A drive system or sometimes called drive connection refers to a type of system or connection driving a machine during its operational duration.

What is Coupling?

A shaft coupling is a mechanical device that connects two rotating shafts for torque transmission from a driving shaft to a driven shaft.

How does a worm gear reducer work?

A worm gear consists of a shaft with spiral threads known as a worm and a toothed wheel known as a worm wheel (spur gear). A worm gear reducer is formed when the threads of a worm perpendicularly align to fit the teeth of a worm wheel. Torque is applied to the gear assembly via a worm pinion. As an electric motor applies a rotation force to the assembly, the worm’s threads push against the teeth of the worm wheel causing it to rotate. The rotation of the worm wheel applies a torque to the driven which turns at a speed related to the reduction ratio of the gear assembly.

Rotary airlocks or valves are used to control the flow of bulk solids from silos, hopper or cyclones. Rotary valves provide continuous, reliable bulk solid flow like wheat, grain, cement, pellets.

Wide range of rotary valve models and configurations are available for different process conditions and physical properties of transferred bulk solids. According to process (silo, cyclone, jet filter, conveyor, pneumatic conveying system etc.) ; according to bulk material (fine powder, granule, abrasive, elastic, high temperature etc.)

Silo emptying, cyclone discharging, dust collection systems, dosing, batching, mixing, pneumatic conveying applications, conveyor feeding / unloading, screw feeder feeding / discharging, machinery and equipment feeding / discharging

Because an ATEX certified valve does not pose an explosion risk, it is frequently utilized with explosive materials. All ATEX certified devices are utilized with atmospheres having the possibility of explosion occurrence because of materials that are likely to ignite.

Polimak provides its customers with state-of-the-art accessories that help improve the already existing bulk solid handling equipment. Most of our accessories are available in different shapes and sizes so that their functions can be adopted to a wide range of equipment.

Technical catalogs, product brochures, installation, operation and maintenance manuals of rotary valves.

Endplates are precisely designed and manufactured to properly fit both ends of a valve housing, thereby acting as side covers of a housing. Endplates contain and prevent dry bulk solid leakage in the longitudinal direction of a rotary valve. A rotary valve endplate has a circular opening (hole) at its center that acts as a pathway for a rotor shaft which allows the rotation of a rotary valve rotor during operation. These plates fall into two categories based on their design configuration; inboard and outboard mounted bearings. They are sometimes referred to as housing cover plates. It is on these cover plates where bearings and seals are installed to allow smooth and leakage-free bulk solids handling.

ROTARY VALVE ENDPLATES CONFIGURATIONS

Inboard bearings allow smooth rotation of the rotor shaft through the housing cover plates. The bearings are fitted directly on the endplate. Inboard mounted bearings use is typically confined to low duty rotary valves where process handling characteristics are not complex. Due to their orientation, the bearings are at risk of getting contaminated and may not be suitable for use in higher temperatures.

Outboard bearings also allow smooth rotation of the rotor shaft through the end-plates. These bearings are outboard fitted to the cover plates. Because of their orientation, outboard mounted bearings are not exposed to product contamination and may be suitable for use in heavy-duty rotary valves. They can accommodate a wide range of process handling characteristics and provide bearing protection.

Gland packing seals are utilised to form an airtight seal around a rotor shaft. This seal prevents bulk materials from escaping/leaking as the rotor shaft rotates. The seal is inserted manually into the stuffing box and compressed using a gland follower. Multiple rows can be used depending on the application and handled material. It is the commonly used seal.

The primary function of lip seals is to keep away contaminants and retain lubricants. They also confine pressure. The nature of a seal is to function by maintaining proper contact with the rotating counterpart (rotor shaft). The sealing edge diameter is slightly lesser than the shaft diameter. The sealing lip (front face) is angled at the point of contact with the shaft to reduce friction. The garter spring helps maintain the pressure on the shaft.

Rotary airlocks or valves are used to control the flow of bulk solids from silos, hopper or cyclones. Rotary valves provide continuous, reliable bulk solid flow like wheat, grain, cement, pellets.

Wide range of rotary valve models and configurations are available for different process conditions and physical properties of transferred bulk solids. According to process (silo, cyclone, jet filter, conveyor, pneumatic conveying system etc.) ; according to bulk material (fine powder, granule, abrasive, elastic, high temperature etc.)

Silo emptying, cyclone discharging, dust collection systems, dosing, batching, mixing, pneumatic conveying applications, conveyor feeding / unloading, screw feeder feeding / discharging, machinery and equipment feeding / discharging

Because an ATEX certified valve does not pose an explosion risk, it is frequently utilized with explosive materials. All ATEX certified devices are utilized with atmospheres having the possibility of explosion occurrence because of materials that are likely to ignite.

Polimak provides its customers with state-of-the-art accessories that help improve the already existing bulk solid handling equipment. Most of our accessories are available in different shapes and sizes so that their functions can be adopted to a wide range of equipment.

Technical catalogs, product brochures, installation, operation and maintenance manuals of rotary valves.

A variety of sealing options with different properties are available to operate in different conditions. A seal is fitted inside the stuffing box situated on the end plates. It prevents the material outflow from the rotor pockets into the bearing region. It also prevents impurities from entering the rotor housing. Failure of the seal compromises the rotary valve system. When compromised, the bearings are put at risk and if combustible materials are processed, the entire valve system becomes dangerous because of the increased risk for material buildup and ignition. Some of the commonly used seals include; gland packing and lip seals. The operating environment affects the lifespan of these seals.

Whenever a gland packing seal is utilized, a gland follower is commonly used to compress the packing. The seal is manually into the stuffing box. It is the most commonly used seal even though it is not necessarily easy to replace. Multiple rows can be depending on the valve model. When several rows are used, they are stacked together to prevent leakages in most valve systems. The seal is made from a mixture of different materials.

The lip seal uses a similar working approach to that of a gland packing seal. The primary function of a lip seal is simply to keep away contaminants and retain lubricants. It also confines pressure. The nature of the seal is to function by maintaining proper contact with the rotating counterpart. The sealing edge diameter is slightly lesser than that of the shaft that is to go through it. The sealing lip (front face) is angled at the point of contact with the shaft in order to reduce friction. The garter spring helps maintain the pressure on the shaft.

Rotary airlocks or valves are used to control the flow of bulk solids from silos, hopper or cyclones. Rotary valves provide continuous, reliable bulk solid flow like wheat, grain, cement, pellets.

Silo emptying, cyclone discharging, dust collection systems, dosing, batching, mixing, pneumatic conveying applications, conveyor feeding / unloading, screw feeder feeding / discharging, machinery and equipment feeding / discharging

Wide range of rotary valve models and configurations are available for different process conditions and physical properties of transferred bulk solids. According to process (silo, cyclone, jet filter, conveyor, pneumatic conveying system etc.) ; according to bulk material (fine powder, granule, abrasive, elastic, high temperature etc.)

Throughout the industrial sector, the use of a rotary valve is undeniable. Since its inception, its use in industries has progressively grown. Its utilization can range from food and pharmaceutical to agricultural and milling industries – nearly every industry out there makes use of it to its full capacity.

Polimak provides its customers with state-of-the-art accessories that help improve the already existing bulk solid handling equipment. Most of our accessories are available in different shapes and sizes so that their functions can be adopted to a wide range of equipment.

Technical catalogs, product brochures, installation, operation and maintenance manuals of rotary valves.