Rotating valve
Rotary metal melting furnaces are devices for melting and casting metals such as lead, zinc, tin, and copper in low tonnage. In lead and zinc ores, these furnaces are usually used for melting and casting metals. Rotary furnaces or rotary furnaces are devices that include steel or steel pipes that are insulated with insulation such as cement or refractory bricks and rotate horizontally and slowly on their axis.
Almost all large industrial processes use rotary valve technology. Valves are devices that control fluid flow through a pipe and can add a control or monitoring function. The mechanical or electromechanical nature of valves makes them easy to manufacture and use, which is why their use is so versatile and common. In this article, we will examine what a rotary valve is, how it works, what applications it is used for, and how to choose the right rotary valve for your project.
What is a rotary valve?
Rotary valves (also known as rotary airlocks, rotary feeders, etc.) are pneumatic valves that control and measure the flow of granular or powder cargo. Material is fed into the valve through a hopper or other inlet, then fed through a control valve rotor into separate packages on a conveyor system, all with minimal pressure drop. These valves are mostly used in air conveyor systems to reduce pressure loss across the valve, but rotary valves are also used to control the flow of material at a controlled feed rate. They function almost exclusively in air systems and perform various functions as air gates, explosion/ignition barriers, and process separators. For this reason, they are widely used in various industries, including chemical, food, pharmaceutical, plastic, etc.
What is a rotary valve?
Rotary valves (also known as rotary airlocks, rotary feeders, etc.) are pneumatic valves that control and measure the flow of granular or powder cargo. Material is fed into the valve through a hopper or other inlet, then fed through a control valve rotor into separate packages on a conveyor system, all with minimal pressure drop. These valves are mostly used in air conveyor systems to reduce pressure loss across the valve, but rotary valves are also used to control the flow of material at a controlled feed rate. They function almost exclusively in air systems and perform various functions as air gates, explosion/ignition barriers, and process separators. For this reason, they are widely used in various industries, including chemical, food, pharmaceutical, plastic, etc.
Types of rotary valves:
There are many types and variations of rotary valves, each with their own unique applications. Each part can be adjusted to meet different needs. We will discuss this issue further.
Housing type:
The compartments can be in a row or offset shape and can be shaped according to different needs. In-line enclosures place the inlet directly above the outlet, which is efficient in most applications. Offset chambers divert the inlet from the outlet to prevent material breakage and overfilling, but are less efficient and used in more specialized applications. Also, the Plow tower-like designs and single-use combinations are all designed to provide the best rotary valve performance for specific applications.
Types of rotary valve designs:
Rotor design is very specific to the application at hand and comes in many varieties. There are shrouded rotors, open rotors, metering rotors, periodic pocket rotors, low volume rotors, plate rotors, adjustable rotors, flexible tip rotors, radial pocket rotors and many others, each designed for unique materials and needs. There are usually at least 8 pockets (and therefore 8 blades) in a rotor, but increasing the number of rotors to marking capacity comes at the cost of filling efficiency. Replaceable blades are also popular because rotors wear out over time, but are generally not used on large rotors.
Drive types:
Most of the rotary valves are powered by an electric motor in sync with the gearbox and the chain connected to it, which allows precise speed control and adjustment. Speed monitoring and variable speed control equipment can also be added to these actuators, making rotary valves efficient as rotary automation valves. Hydraulic motors can also power larger rotary valves, but they do not use a gearbox and are built for special applications.
Specifications and selection criteria:
Since these devices are for specific applications, specifications must be carefully determined to select the appropriate valve. This section explains some of the important specifications that should be understood when considering a rotary valve. But you should know that this list is not completely comprehensive. Therefore, you should always consult your designers and suppliers regarding specifications, as they have the most relevant information and resources.
Application and performance requirements:
Be aware of what you are using a rotary valve for and what you need to achieve; This means that you have to calculate the required output power rate, define the material properties (density, flow coefficient), estimate efficiency and other critical criteria. These values depend on all aspects of the valve, so you should change them based on your needs.
The operating speed of the rotor speed will affect the power output rate, valve size and other issues. Understanding the proper speed to run your rotary valve will help improve performance and maintenance. In general, it is said that the rotor should not exceed 40 meters per minute, but you should know that it depends on the type of rotor, the characteristics of the material and other things.
Construction materials:
Finally, you must determine what chemical and physical effects may occur between your product and the milk and select a material that can withstand these stresses. For example, stainless steel rotor blades protect against rusting in wet environments, while bronze rotor tips don’t wear as hard as other types. Choose a valve material that will support your pressure/vacuum loss if required, and make sure the material is rated for the estimated life of your project.
As one of its main products, Hamun Industrial Group provides the possibility of designing and manufacturing rotary valves with precise and unique specifications for its customers.