subject: Aerodyne Dust Collector Valve : A Lower Cost Alternative To Rotary Airlock Valves [print this page] Aerodyne, a division of Abanaki Corporation, has designed a dust-discharge valve for managing dust and abrasive particulates in collection, disposal and recycling applications. This valve, named the Armadillo because of its rugged construction, is part of the companys Vacu-Valve product line. This product line, and particularly the Armadillo, is designed for dust collection and dry material handling applications where the system is operating under negative pressure (i.e., vacuum conditions). Typically, it is installed under hoppers, bag filters, cyclone dust collectors, and other particulate collectors to provide a free-flowing continuous discharge when a small amount of vacuum (negative pressure) is present.
The Vacu-Valve Armadillo is a closed construction airlock valve assembly. Inside this assembly is a rubber duckbill valve that automatically adjusts to the amount of vacuum pressure applied, allowing dust and abrasive particulates to be continuously fed into a collection container. When vacuum pressure is removed, the duckbill valve provides a positive seal that prevents material above it from falling out. Because this dust-discharge valve requires no controls, lubrication or power source, it saves energy and is virtually maintenance-free allowing it to operate for about one-sixth the cost of rotary airlock valves previously used in these applications.
The Armadillo is supplied in carbon or stainless steel construction. Sleeves made of neoprene, viton, and white nitrile are available for this airlock valve assembly, making it suitable for general use, high-temperature, or food grade applications. Like Aerodynes other Vacu-Valve products, the Armadillo is also used in applications such as foundries, mining, cement production, manufacturing operations, and the processing of pharmaceuticals, cereal , plastics, and chemicals.
The durable enclosure of the Armadillo assembly also makes it useful in controlling dust in windy outdoor environments, and in applications where the valve is not positioned close to the collection container. This enclosure has an easily removed access door to facilitate inspection and cleaning.
In addition to its Vacu-Valves, Aerodyne has for the past 60 years supplied a wide variety of other valve designs for the efficient and economical emptying of particulates from dust collectors, bag houses and other dry material handling equipment. These products include rotary, double-dump, knife, and screw-type valves..
References. More information on Vacu-Valves and the full-line of Aerodyne products and services can be downloaded at www.aerodyneus.com/013. An animated demonstration of how a duckbill airlock valve works can also be accessed on this same Web page.
