Articles for Difficult Products

Sep 13, 2019 by Paul Bowman

Avoid rotary valve jams with adjustable shear protectors

Adjustable shear protectors prevent jamming, keep materials intact and maintain an efficient fill capacity
Jun 24, 2019 by Megan Thompson

The sticking point: Examining flow issues in bins, hoppers and silos

An ADM speaker sheds light on powder and bulk solid flow patterns
Feb 21, 2019 by Paul Bowman

Flex or fixed? The difference between two rotor tip types

Find out which rotor tip type is right for your process
Nov 24, 2017 by Nena Dallas

What coatings mean for your valves

When your valve needs to weather a material storm, layering it up with a coating can help it keep moving. Here's how.
Apr 25, 2017 by Nena Dallas

How to increase the life expectancy of your machinery

That rickety old valve has broken down again, and you're tired of replacing it all the time. Here are some tips on how to ensure your valves last longer and give you less downtime.
Nov 26, 2015 by Nena Dallas

Why you shouldn't size your airlocks for 100% pocket fill

Using the same methods to size all of your feeder valves is a recipe for inefficiency
May 21, 2015 by Nena Dallas

How to convey sticky material with a blow-through

Conveying sticky material? Harness the efficiency of a blow-through valve, without the premature wear!

FAQs for Difficult Products

Q.
Why use a shear pin sprocket with sawdust or wood fines?

A.
Sometimes the rotation of the rotor is reduced due to an overload of material, or larger pieces of material being fed through the valve, jamming in the clearances. In this case, shear pin sprockets will shear the pin on the sprocket, reducing the risk of damage to the rotor.
Q.
My valve is losing too much air, what could be the problem?

A.
Too much clearance between the rotor, endplates and or housing can result in air loss. Measure the rotor to endplate and rotor to housing clearances to confirm that they are an NFPA compliant 0.0079 inches. If the clearance is larger than this, it might be time to replace your rotor, rotary valve, or have it sent back to ACS for a repair or evaluation. Make sure to stick to a maintenance schedule and check your clearances at least every three months.
Q.
What is this capped pipe that is sticking out of the side of my valve?

A.
The capped pipe is called a housing vent port. Rotor pockets can sometimes contain a volume of pressured air, which can impede material flow into the airlock inlet, reducing your efficiency. Also, in conveying systems that run at 6 PSI and higher, large releases of air up the return side of the airlock can cause pulsing in the material flow into the conveying line. Using a vent helps solve both of these issues, and is also helpful in improving your fill efficiency.
Q.
Why do we recommend a shear protector for pellets, flakes or beads?

A.
Shear protectors reduce the flow of material at the valve's inlet. Reduced flow allows for better pocket fill and also reduces the risk of product jams in your housing clearances–ultimately protecting your product from damage.