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There are many types and uses for the rotary air lock feeder in our plants.
Rotary feeders are in pneumatic conveying systems, dust control
equipment and also volumetric feeders to maintain an even flow of material
through processing systems.
The basic use of the airlock feeder is an airlock transition point, sealing
pressurized systems against loss of air or gas while maintaining a flow of
material between components with different pressure. They are also used
as a feeder for metering material at precise flow rates from bins or hoppers
into conveying or processing systems.
Figure F1
Keeping in mind that there are different manufactures and brand names, we
will point out the main components of a standard rotary airlock feeder, along
with the different end plates, rotors and casings that can be used.
Interchangeable parts
F-1
Volume 2
End plates
1. Flange bearing and lip seals.
2. Packing gland, separate stuffing box and cartridge bearing.
3. Packing gland, integral stuffing box and cartridge bearing.
Rotors
4. Type I open end.
5. Type II closed end with adjustable tips.
6. Type I closed end.
Casing
7. Without inspection panel.
8. With inspection panel.
9. Side inlet.
Figure F2
F-2
Volume 2
The drive units on the rotary feeders also vary depending on the application.
Most of our rotary feeders are set to run at a constant speed, however there
are variable speed set ups as well. Most of the drive units are set up with
drive sprockets and are chain driven by a motor and reducer.
Note: Standard units operate clockwise as viewed from the drive side.
Zero speed switches can be installed on the rotor shaft to warn the operator
of equipment failure.
F-3
Volume 2
This arrangement is
Rotation
Others have built a baffle
normally used when
there is an extremely plate inside the bin closest to the
high differential upswing side of the rotary valve,
pressure across the
airlock. (Fig. F6). In this case the baffle
plate provides an escape route
for this gas.
b) In some applications rotary feeders habitually jam due a chunk wedging itself
between the vane and casing or shoe. Provided that the unit can rotate in
either direction one plant used a switch to detect high motor amps at which
point the valve is stopped then immediately reverses in direction. In this way
the rotary feeder became self unjamming with undetectable effects on the
process.
F-4
Volume 2
Figure F5 Figure F6
Baffle
Air bled Air
off to Baffle
dust Material
collector Material
Rotation Rotation
(non-reversible)
c) Shaft sealing is a typical problem for this type of equipment. Recognize that
the abrasiveness for most types of dust tears at the seal and will eventually
leak. In critical installations some plants use special grease seals which
constantly pushes gritty dust away from the seal. Other units are designed
with special labyrinth seals next to the packing gland which is constantly
purged will high pressure air. In both cases units are of special designs.
Typically the bearings are mounted well away from the casing itself. (See
Figure F7.)
F-5
Volume 2
Casing
Rotor
Outboard
Bearing
Hi Pressure AIr
or Grease
F-6