Search Results
34 items found for ""
Other Pages (30)
- CONTACT | Rotary Airlock LLC
NEED A PICK-UP? CONTACT US TODAY! COVID-19 STATEMENT Telephone Tel: 815-626-0388 Fax: 815-626-5366 Message m.me/RotaryAirlock Opening Hours Mon - Fri: 7am - 3:30pm CST MADE IN AMERICA: 1104 E 17th Street, Rock Falls, IL 61071
- Rotary Airlock LLC | Sterling, IL USA
The industry's best. Made to be yours. Custom Solutions + Lowest Lifetime Cost Learn More Contact Us Every valve, built for you. ROTARY AIRLOCK SOLUTION (RAS)™ New | Drop-In Replacement See More Leaking Seals Is the inability to change sealing mechanisms while in operation due to their inconsistent lifespan, leading to the avoidance of maintenance? Our Solution Abrasion Is the premature wear due to vanes opening up clearances resulting in a shortened lifespan? Our Solution Lead-Time Are lead-times out of control? Down and in need of fast assistance? Our Solution Compliance Solutions Are there safety concerns related to NFPA compliance? Our Solution MAP Seal System Rotary Airlock's Proprietary & food safe seal system. Built with maintenance in mind this end cap configuration touts a piloted flange bearing and the strength of outboard bracing giving you plenty of clearance to access your seal system, both of which can be changed in-line with no need to pull the airlock. With this seal system, you'll never use any other seal again! MAP Seal AR400, AR500, RA-200 & TRI-ALLOY AR400, AR500, RA-200, and Tri-alloy are all abrasion-proof materials, each exhibiting exceptional hardness, wear resistance, and durability in the face of challenging environments. AR-400 AR-500 RA-200 TRI-ALLOY Abrsion Lead-Time Thanks to our rotary valves being American Made with American Steel and crafted by skilled American workers, we proudly maintain the industry's shortest lead times. Lead time Customized Solutions We provide tailored solutions, including Direct Drives, Inspection Doors, and Outboard Bearing Conversions, to meet your specific needs. Customized Solutions Seeking equipment standardization for streamlined training, maintenance, and reduced operational expenses? No other OEM offers Rotary Airlock's unique capabilities for fully standardizing ALL Rotary Valves, regardless of their original manufacturer. Rotary Airlock Standardizes ALL Valves Rotary Airlock specializes in tailored replacements, not just off-the-shelf options. We can standardize all your valves using a single bearing and seal style that perfectly suits your needs. YOUR PREMIER PERFORMANCE PACKA GES Industry Proven Solutions Discover More THE RV ADVANCED PACKA GE Industry Leading Configuration Shop now All Packages THE CR PRIME PACKA GE Corrosion's Met It's Match Shop now All Packages THE CLF BEARING Replace & Maintenance In-line Shop now THE MAP SEAL Replace In-line in < 10 min Shop now The right tools for the job INSPECTION DOORS DIRECT DRIVES NFPA 69 Available on ANY valve regardless of Make & Model Your valve, executed to meet or even exceed NFPA 69 Standards The Highest Safety & Maintenance Standard on ANY Make & Model Shop now Shop now Shop now PREMIUM STEELS We are the only OEM to offer Premium Steels ' Through-and-Through' , like AR400. Shop now PROPRIETARY COATINGS The most innovative and value-driven coatings for every industry. Shop now STANDARDIZE VALVES Standardize your entire fleet of rotary valves, reducing spare parts inventory, streamlining training, and simplifying maintenance. Shop now Anchor 1
- YOUR VALVE | Rotary Airlock LLC | Rotary Valve | Sterling, IL 61081
LET'S UPGRADE YOUR VALVE Our upgrades are designed SPECIFICALLY for you and your application. Saving you downtime, extending maintenance cycles, and making your processes safer. In other words, saving you money. Find out how Rotary Airlock makes YOUR Master Class Valve. 01 01 TAKE YOUR OEM VALVE TO THE NEXT LEVEL Unlike the other OEMs who build your valve to fit the SYSTEM you have, Rotary Airlock has designed, engineered, tested, and implemented upgraded valves that are constructed SPECIFICALLY for your process. From 316L Stainless, AR500 wear plates, and 17-4 Shafting to name a few, we have YOUR upgrade, no matter your application or industry. Here are just some of the industries we've worked with over the last 25 Years... AND MANY MORE... 02 THE INDUSTRY'S STRONGEST HOUSINGS 02 Unlike the other OEMs who mass cast their housing with cheap steel to save the bottom line, Rotary Airlock puts you the customer first and builds our airlocks right here in America from hardened steel. MILD STEEL This is the base material for almost all standard and non-corrosive applications. 304L Stainless Steel This is the base material for moderately corrosive applications and those designating a need for food-grade quality. 316L Stainless Steel This is the base material for severely corrosive applications and those designating a need for food-grade quality. Both AR400 & AR500 are used in the production of Housing Liners as well 03 03 YOUR ROTOR, THE RIGHT WAY At Rotary Airlock, we implement your EXACT configuration for your application. Every rotor configuration and material is individually analyzed, welded, inspected, and tested. From an Open Rotor w/Fixed vanes to a Closed Rotor w/Adjustable Tips, we work directly with you, your engineers, and your maintenance teams to ensure a Master Class configuration just for you. ROTOR CONFIGURATION OPEN ROTOR | FIXED VANES This rotor plan is standard across almost all AIRLOCK configurations. CLOSED ROTOR | FIXED VANES This rotor plan is standard across almost all gravity FEEDER configurations. CLOSED ROTOR | ADJUSTABLE TIPS This rotor plan is recommended by Rotary Airlock for SPECIFIC/CUSTOM configurations . *Not usually suggested across most industries but is available. Approximately 1-1 .5 degree vane angle that is recommended for applications with force filled pockets that helps aid in the separation of bulk material as it is introduced into the valve CANTED VANES | 1-1 .5 VANE CONFIGURATION Approximately 5-5 .5 degree vane angle that is not readily used but is available for specific/custom configurations. HELICAL VANES | 5-5 .5 VANE MATERIAL MILD STEEL This is the base material for almost all standard and non-corrosive applications. 304L Stainless Steel This is the base material for moderately corrosive applications and those designating a need for food-grade quality. 316L Stainless Steel This is the base material for severely corrosive application sand those designating a need for food-grade quality. AR400 | PROPRIETARY TO ROTARY AIRLOCK This is the base material that is specialty steel designed at the chemical level for improved wear resistance for specific applications. AR stands for Abrasion Resistant . AR500 | PROPRIETARY TO ROTARY AIRLOCK This is the base material that is specifically for applications requiring superior wear resistance and will ordinarily outlast other steel grades. AR500 steel is heat-treated to exhibit thorough-hardening, improved forming, and welding capabilities. SHAFT MATERIAL MILD STEEL This is the shaft material recommended for almost all standard, non-abrasive, and non-corrosive applications. 4140 This is the shaft material recommended for moderate to severely abrasive applications and is especially recommended for resistance to wear in seal areas . 304L Stainless Steel This is the shaft material recommended for moderately corrosive applications and those designating a need for food-grade quality. 316L Stainless Steel This is the shaft material recommended for severly corrosive applications and those designating a need for food-grade quality. 17-4 Stainless Steel | PROPRIETARY TO ROTARY AIRLOCK This is the shaft material recommended for applications requiring moderate to high torsion strength and moderate to severely c orrosive applications. 2205 Stainless stell | PROPRIETARY TO ROTARY AIRLOCK This is the shaft material recommended for applications requiring high to severe torsion strength and moderate to severely corrosive applications. BEVEL CONFIGURATION TIPS Bevel configurations are recommended for applications with a product that could cause binding or carry difficulty with releasing. The configuration that is recommended is based on the type of product within your application. *All configurations are available in Standard or Knife Edge Bevels. SIDES TIPS & SIDES BRACING CONFIGURATION Bracing is recommended on very specific applications. Most vane configurations do not require bracing but those applications with larger aggregate style product particles may find the added support from bracing to be beneficial. This is usually a specific/custom recommendation. 04 Webbing configurations provide a maximized sealing surface with the added protection for your seal area needed for your application thus combining the benefits of an open & closed rotor configuration. WEBBING CONFIGURATION 04 BEARINGS & SEALS Are you tired of failed bearings, blown seals, and an OEM who won't adapt your design to make your life easier and more efficient? That's exactly where Rotary Airlock steps in and delivers what you NEED instead of what we HAVE. We can upgrade your valves to a single bearing, single seal, and single end-cap configuration so your maintenance is the same no matter the Model. With some systems dropping maintenance times to less than 15 minutes! BEARING & SEAL UPGRADES PROPRIETARY TO ROTARY AIRLOCK | MAP SEAL UPGRADE This Out-Board seal upgrade uses a combination of loaded lip seals and double lip seals to create a unique barrier of protection from product migration. We also implement a purgeable bearing providing you a longer-lasting product you can maintain in-line. GPS Upgrade GLS Upgrade This In-Board seal upgrade extends the life of your airlock by protecting the bearing from foreign product and reduces product migration into the atmosphere. Take the possible 4-6 hours of downtime & extensive labor to replace an airlock seal, and cut it to less than 15 minutes! With Rotary Airlocks Proprietary Mechanical Aerated Polymer Seal System (MAP Seal) there is absolutely ZERO need to pull an airlock or strip off any end-caps. You save time, labor, and lost profits. Simply disengage the MAPS Housing Cap to access the seal directly and replace the MAP Seal in-line quickly & efficiently, getting you back up and running as fast as possible. BEARING OPTIONS FLANGE BEARING TAPERED ROLLER BEARING GREASABLE BEARING INSERT SEALED BEARING SEAL OPTIONS MAP SEAL | PROPRIETARY TO ROTARY AIRLOCK Take the possible 4-6 hours of downtime & extensive labor to replace an airlock seal, and cut it to less than 15 minutes!! With Rotary Airlocks Proprietary Mechanical Aerated Polymer Seal System (MAP Seal) there is absolutely ZERO need to pull an airlock or strip off any end-caps. You save time, labor, and lost profits. Simply disengage the MAPS Housing Cap to access the seal directly and replace the MAP Seal in-line quickly & efficiently, getting you back up and running as fast as possible. LIP SEAL The use of lip seals extends the life of your airlock by protecting the bearing from foreign product and reduces product migration into the atmosphere. This is accomplished with a Single, Double, or Loaded Lip Seal (Poly Pac). This can be customized to your individual application. ROPE PACKING We use Four types of packing depending on your application and compliance requirements. Standard (Yellow), High Temp (Graphite), Food Grade (White), and Custom (Colors Vary). 05 SPECIALIZED COATINGS & TIPPING 05 With the right coatings, our valves can handle anything from Highly Abrasive material to Sticky & Viscous products. With Rotary Airlock having the ONLY USDA Compliant coating too you can rest assured your sanitary or food processing is in the right hands. HARD CHROME We suggest this coating for moderately abrasive and mildly corrosive applications. (ex. Wheat screenings, some mild aggregates, ethanol production, etc...) Boasting a 62 - 69 Rockwell hardness rating. PROPRIETARY TO ROTARY AIRLOCK | TRI-ALLOY We suggest this coating for severely abrasive applications. (ex. Fly Ash, Calcium Carbonate, Talc, Some Gypsum, Asphalt, etc...) Boasting a 72 + Rockwell hardness rating. *Often used in conjunction with rotors tipped with Stellite #6 PROPRIETARY TO ROTARY AIRLOCK | ENB We suggest this USDA compliant lubricity coating for viscous/sticky product that can be applied to all internal surfaces to aid in product release. TIPPING Stellite #6 This tipping finish is an added option of strength and wear resistance for many mild, moderate, and severely abrasive applications *Although not restricted to abrasive applications it is the most common recommendation. READY TO UPGRADE YOUR VALVE? GIVE US A CALL, WE WORK ON THEM ALL! (815) 626-0388
Blog Posts (4)
- Streamlined Maintenance and Efficiency at Norfolk Soybean Facility: A Success Story
Last week, we had the opportunity to visit Norfolk, NE with a state-of-the-art soybean facility being constructed. This visit was prompted by a call from a former customer, someone who had worked with us for many years in the soybean industry but had recently started a new job with this innovative company. They are nearing the completion of their brand new facility, and my contact shared some of the challenges they were facing. Despite having already purchased over 35 airlocks for the plant, they needed stainless steel options for several applications due to corrosion issues that the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) did not address. Additionally, the facility had airlocks supplied by four different OEMs, which created a need for spares from a single, reliable source. This is where Rotary Airlock came into play. We were able to provide significant value by offering to be the single source for all of their rotary valves, thereby simplifying their procurement and bringing value to their maintenance processes at the same time. One of the critical improvements we introduced was the standardization of maintenance and replacement parts. Originally, the plant had 7-9 different styles of bearings and seals. We streamlined this down to one style of extractable bearing and two different seal options, both of which are replaceable in-line. This change significantly reduces downtime and maintenance complexity. Furthermore, our new airlocks come with inspection doors, a feature not available from any of the OEMs currently represented in the plant. These doors allow for easy inspection during shutdowns, enabling wear and clearance checks, as well as the removal of foreign materials without the need to uninstall the airlock. This enhancement is particularly beneficial for ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of the facility. The visit to Norfolk Crush highlighted the importance of tailored solutions in the industrial sector. By understanding and addressing specific needs, we can provide innovative products that not only meet but exceed operational requirements. The collaboration with Norfolk Crush is a testament to how industry partnerships can drive technological advancements and operational efficiency. I left Norfolk with a sense of accomplishment, knowing that our contributions would play a vital role in the success of this impressive facility. As the soybean industry continues to evolve, it is partnerships like these that will lead the way in fostering innovation and growth in manufacturing.
- NFPA, FIRE CODE, OSHA. OH MY!
A little over 11 1/2 years ago on February 7, 2008, the Imperial Sugar Company manufacturing facility in Port Wentworth, Georgia was home to the most significant local tragedy to date. Fourteen workers were killed, and 36 others sustained severe burns and injuries after a reactive chain of sugar dust explosions. In the investigation report, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) found that the dust explosion had started in the enclosed conveyor system below the sugar silos. The initial blast stirred up sugar dust that had built up on the floors and other surfaces, causing a devastating chain reaction of additional dust explosions racing through the buildings. Then fires resulting from the explosions destroyed packing buildings, silos, a palleting building and severely damaged parts of the refinery and sugar loading area. The investigation conducted by the CSB highlighted numerous safety concerns where dust explosions were a severe risk and thus provided a list of recommendations to ensure that such fires and explosions wouldn't occur again. But, what does this have to do with the OSHA or Fire Code? The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) addresses dust explosion and fire prevention provisions. After several investigation reports and studies, the CSB recommended that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) develop a federal standard to address the increasing workplace hazards found in facilities. Especially where combustible solids are handled, used, or stored, which has the potential to generate or release combustible dust. It was the tragic event at the Imperial Sugar refinery that pushed this recommendation into action. OSHA later announced that they would initiate a rule-making process to develop a federal standard addressing these needs. Fast forward a few years, and a new committee structure was put in place at the NFPA to oversee the standards-making process for these documents related to dust hazards. As a result, NFPA Standard on the Fundamentals of Dust was born. This document provides the following two key points: 1) Basic principles of, and requirements for, identifying and managing fires. 2) Explosion hazards of combustible dusts and particulate solids. This helped place the NFPA policies as the standard for fire safety, who's policies will soon be enforceable mandates instead of just suggested principles. These NFPA principles have an impact on fire inspectors as well. It outlines operating procedures and practices; inspection, testing and maintenance of equipment; maintenance programs and procedures; training and hazard awareness; qualifications and training for contractors; emergency planning and response; management of change; documentation; and management of systems. It's the holy grail of fire safety for production facilities. An inspector/AHJ must be aware of the provisions related to these facilities and confirm that these protection strategies & procedures are in place. They must also recognize that facilities are maintaining those safety conditions for the welfare of the facility and its worker Rotary Airlock has an even deeper place in their heart for these safety standards. Less than 30 minutes from our facility, Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) had a silo explosion that took the life of one firefighter, while causing another to lose multiple limbs. Scott V. of Rotary Airlock grew up in the same town as that ADM plant and his father retired as a Firefighter from that same firehouse. Having loved ones that not only knew the lives lost and changed that day but knowing it could have been that family member at one point, weighs heavy on the entire RA Family. That is why Rotary Airlock set out to provide the highest safety standard product we could. Rotary Airlock engineered drop-in replacement valves that meet, and even exceed NFPA standards — paired with a proprietary seal system that eliminates combustible dust leakage, AND a direct-drive available for EVERY SINGLE make & model. Rotary Airlock has a significant focus on replacing EVERY dust-collection valve in America to do their part in the safety of every person possible. If you ever needed a reason to replace or upgrade your dust-collectors, don't let it be when lives are lost or families are changed forever. Start improving your valves today and start saving a whole lot more than just money. You can CALL or TEXT Rotary Airlock at (815) 564-1729 or shoot a message here to get started.
- . . .Especially Ethanol.
The Basics Before delving into the intricacies of ethanol use, it's important to understand what it is and how it is developed. In its most basic form, ethanol is derived from plant materials, such as corn and sugar. Previously, oil companies would mix a small amount of ethanol into their fuel blends, in a mixture that was referred to as gasohol. Since this mixture can run effectively in any engine, it helped to reduce the environmental impact of the fuel, while also avoiding any major sacrifice in quality. With recent advances though, an even better mixture has been developed. At 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline, E85 has effectively reversed the properties of gasohol. In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy has even gone so far as to praise E85 for its ability to significantly reduce carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide emissions. And, with gasoline supplies slowly diminishing, there has been an even greater push for ethanol mixtures that push the boundaries of how much gasoline is actually required. The Conversion Process In order for plant materials to transform into ethanol, it must undergo a specific process. Ethanol is not naturally occurring in the environment, which means plants need to be fermented and distilled in order to create it. Of course, ethanol has been a component of human society for a very long time, as it can even be found in alcoholic beverages. As previously mentioned, the key to rapidly developing ethanol is to use crops that are high in sugar. Once crops have been gathered to be processed, they are ground up and refined. The refined sugar that is gathered is then left to ferment into carbon dioxide and ethanol, with yeast added to speed up the process. Up until this point, it is basically the same process used to create alcoholic beverages. After the ethanol has been gathered, it is then distilled and purified before it is ready to be used as a bio-fuel. The relative simplicity of the development process helps to make ethanol production considerably cheaper than many other fuel sources. Since ethanol is a cleaner fuel source, it doesn't add harmful particulates to the air when it's burned. Instead, burning ethanol just creates water and a smaller amount of carbon dioxide than other fuel sources. Expanding Production More than 90 production plants have already been established for ethanol, with at least another thirty planned, as well as several expansions and government regulations in certain states have also made a greater push for ethanol to replace traditional fuel sources. Since ethanol can potentially be just as effective as gasoline, it's not a matter of if it will replace gasoline fully, but rather when. With all of the information above covered it is safe to say a few points. One, that the process of ethanol production is not simply a system that can be stopped or paused, as there are chemical reactions taking place. Two, that Ethanol production facilities are in need of specific machinery and production materials that were created with them and their processes in mind and three, the Ethanol Production industry is only going to grow which means more production and more competition in the marketplace. If we look at these distinct points its not hard to see why Ethanol plants are experiencing excruciating amounts of frustration with valves not intended for their application. Theses valves were designed and engineered to fit within systems but haven't been engineered to prevail within the Ethanol application. These original valves are not intended for what these facilities are producing, their chemical properties, or the people who work there to provide for themselves and their families. Some of these valves are so corroded so quickly they aren't even a valve anymore, but a chute complete with immense pitting and irreparable fissures and breaks. How is a production facility to keep up with the demand if their valves keep failing; shutting down production lines and even come with the expense of ruined product that was stopped part way thru it's process. How are they suppose to compete in a significantly rapid growing industry? Rotary Airlock provides a Master Class option not seen anywhere else. So clients working with them already have a hand on the crown in the growing ethanol industry, but what ethanol facility of the 90 is falling short? Which one's will we see be swallowed up by those who took actions today, instead of hoping for tomorrow? Only time will tell.