A Rotary airlock valve works by using a rotating multi-vane rotor to move material from an inlet to an outlet while creating a seal between the two. As the rotor turns, pockets are formed between the vanes that fill with material from the top. The rotor then carries this trapped material to the outlet, where it is discharged, effectively acting like a revolving door to control material flow and maintain pressure or vacuum in a system.
How it works
- Material Inlet: Granular or powdered material enters the valve from a hopper, silo, or other source and falls into the pockets created by the rotor’s vanes at the inlet.
- Rotor Rotation: A motor drives the rotor, which spins at a constant speed inside a sealed housing.
- Sealing and Containment: As the rotor turns, the vanes form a tight seal against the housing, trapping the material in the pockets and preventing air from passing between the inlet and outlet ports.
- Discharge: The rotor continues to turn, carrying the trapped material around the housing to the outlet port.
- Controlled Flow: Gravity causes the material to fall out of the pockets at the outlet, ensuring a steady and controlled discharge into a pneumatic conveying system or other process.
- Airlock Function: The close clearance between the rotor and housing minimizes air leakage, which is essential for maintaining the pressure or vacuum integrity of the system.
Rotary Air-lock Valves are used at the bottom of Bins, Cyclones, Dust Collectors or Feed Hoppers to discharge materials at a controlled rate or act as an Airlock. They are also used to introduce materials into positive or negative conveying systems. A Rotary Feeder / Airlock Valve consists of a rotor which turns at a given RPM in close clearance to it’s casing thus maintaining a uniform rate of material flow and provides a seal. TheRotary Air-locks provide reliable service in high pressure, high temperature and other severe service conditions. The valves can be used in various industries such as food, plastics, chemical, asphalt, mining, baking, cement and paint.