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Rotary Lock Valve (rev.3)

Rotary Lock Valve

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INSTALLATION
OPERATION
AND
MAINTENANCE MANUAL
Required documentation:

- Rotary Lock Valve drawing:

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Rotary Lock Valve (rev.3)

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

Do not use the equipment before reading the attached instructions' manual by operational personnel, responsible
for either the erection, commissioning or service.

The equipment should not be installed:

 Within potential explosive atmospheres or explosive applications if the equipment is not ATEX certificated.

The electrical installation which the equipment is installed to must be provided with a suitable ground and a RCD.

Works on the equipment must be done when the equipment is stopped, out of service and unplugged from the
electrical supply.

During maintenance works, personal protective equipments must be used suitable to the nature of the application
(toxicity, noxious, etc.)

Any protection barrier removed in order to complete a maintenance service, will be relocated before the start-up of
the equipment.

In case the equipment has an interior grid to prevent possible falls, its state must be checked regularly and
replaced if any damage is localized.

Valve can not be on service until machinery where is located is declared in accordance with the machinery
manufacturing Council Directive.

If installed rotary valve works with discharge flange opened, AAF-S.A. designed guard must be on place
 ® Rotary Lock Valve
DESCRIPTION
The rotary air-lock valve is a device for evacuating
dust which may be used when either the pressure
between the inlet and outlet flange is the same, or
when there is a difference between them.
The degree of air-tightness will vary as a result of
wear on the blades, depending on the product
handled and the r.p.m of the valve.
OPERATING PRINCIPLES
The valve consists of three basic components:
 Rotor
 Housing
 Geared motor
The rotor is made up of the shaft and blades laid
out in a radial fashion which hold the elastic sealing
tongues.
The housing closes the rotor in on its two sides and
on the front and rear cylindrical part but leaving the
top and the bottom of the cylinder open.
When the dust falls through the top into the valve, it
is trapped inside the cavities that the rotor blades
form with the walls of the housing.
When the rotor turns, the dust is completely shut
inside the rotor cavity between the blades and the
housing, which impedes the flow of both air and
dust.
As the rotor continues to turn and this cavity
reaches the lower part, it will free itself of the dust
given that the housing no longer encloses it, which
means that the dust falls out, emptying this section
of the valve.
This happens successively, one cavity after
another, at any one time approximately ¼ of the
cavities are being loaded, ¼ being unloaded and ½
closed off or closing.
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(rev.3)
This volumetric discharge valve has a theoretical
discharge capacity per turn depends on its size.
Total Capacity
Size
(Litres/turn)
220 x 220 5
305 x 305 15
400 x 400 40
The capacity stated above will decrease with the
speed of rotation and the nature of the dust.
INSTALLATION
This valve always has to be mounted with the shaft
in the horizontal position.
Fit a gasket onto the load flange and bolt the valve
onto the silo’s hopper flange, filter or any other
element feeding the valve, such as a screw
conveyer etc.
Then do the same with the discharge flange should
it be necessary to attach the rotary lock valve to
another element such as a screw conveyer,
container or Pneumatic Transport.
 Note. -
In many cases it is advisable to fit a slide gate
valve before this valve, so as to be able to carry out
maintenance without having to interrupt the
process or empty out the silo.
Wire up the electric motor.
Check that the mains voltage corresponds to that of
the motor.
Adjust the trip fuse to the motor’s nominal current
rating.
Start up the motor for a moment to check that the
rotor is not jammed.
If it does jam, check the inside of the rotor and
remove anything that may stop it from turning.
 ® Rotary Lock Valve (rev.3)

Excessively large objects, such as plates, wires, Check the state of the bearings and grease them
canisters, etc. may cause the rotor to jam up. should it be necessary.

Start it up empty and let it run for at least two hours

so that the blades can adjusted themselves to the
housing and make start-ups smoother. Sizes:

Check that the motor’s consumption of current is SIZE R.P.M. kW. STD. SPEC.
below its nominal value, if necessary loosen off the
bolts for the cover on the side opposite to the motor 220 x 220 29 0,37 X --
to reduce the pressure on the rotor covers.
305 x 305 15 0,55 -- X

305 x 305 15 0,73 -- X

MAINTENANCE 305 x 305 20 0,73 -- X

305 x 305 31 0,73 X --

During the first few days of operation keep an eye
305 x 305 20 1,1 -- X
on:
305 x 305 28 1,1 -- X
 The motor’s consumption 305 x 305 30 1,1 -- X
 The cleanliness of the rotor’s cavities.
305 x 305 29 1,47 -- X
 Condition of the elastic sealing tongues, the
material used on these have to be suited to the 305 x 305 31 1,47 -- X
application and the working temperature.
305 x 305 43 1,47 -- X

400 x 400 28 1,1 X --

To be checked monthly.

 Motor consumption
 Cleanliness of the rotor
 The seal and wear on the elastic blades.
Should they have to be adjusted, loosen off the
holding bolts, for them bringing them closer
until they come up against the housing.

Every six months.

Retighten the stuffing box if leaks through the shaft

outlet can be observed and, if necessary, replace
the greased packing.

Replace the elastic sealing blades, should it be

necessary.

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