Aerodyne Airlock Valves
The Alternative to Traditional Rotary Airlock Valves!
Aerodyne manufactures a variety of airlock valves for dust collectors. Airlock valves are required on dust collectors for the dust collector to operate correctly. If an airlock valve is not mounted on the dust collector, air will leak in (vacuum system) or blow out (pressure system). If air is leaking in, this will lower the airflow being collected at the pickup points and it could increase the chances of dust re-entrainment. If air is blowing out, dust will be blown out of the collector causing a mess on the floor around it.
Need a manual? Reach out to our engineering staff at dc@dustcollectorhq.com!
Aerodyne Vacu-Valve® Platypus and Vacu-Valve® Armadillo
The open-construction Platypus and the closed-construction Armadillo trickle valves are the most economical ways to manage dust discharged from bag filters or cyclones under negative pressure. The fitted duckbill sleeve adjusts to the desired vacuum and material is continuously discharged. It requires no controls, lubrication or power supply and easily handles abrasive materials. This trickle valve can be used in higher temperature applications as well. The Vacu-Valve® dust discharge trickle valve is available at a fraction of the cost of the rotary airlock valves it replaces.
See complete product information about the Aerodyne Vacu-Valve® Platypus and Vacu-Valve® Armadillo.
Aerodyne GatorGate™ Double-Dump Valve
The GatorGate Double-Dump valve feeds and moves chunky or fibrous material that would jam ordinary rotary valves and is durable enough to move abrasive material. The GatorGate valve uses tandem gates to maintain proper pressure above and below the valve and has a reinforced closure mechanism to prevent air seepage. This double flap airlock valve can be configured to operate using air or electricity and requires little maintenance.
See complete product information about the Aerodyne GatorGate™ Double-Dump Valve.
Aerodyne High Capacity Rhino Rotary “R” Valve™
The Aerodyne High Capacity Rhino Rotary “R” Valve is designed for continuous discharge of free-flowing, low-abrasive dry solids in gravity flow or low-pressure systems. Widely used in applications such as the bottom of dust collector hoppers, the Rhino Rotary “R” Valve’s steel plate construction gives it a distinct advantage in quality and flexibility over cast airlock valves.
See complete product information about the Aerodyne High Capacity Rhino Rotary “R” Valve™.
Mighty Whopper Valve™
The Aerodyne Mighty Whopper Valve is designed for continuous discharge of highly-abrasive dry solids in gravity flow or low-pressure systems. Widely used in applications such as the bottom of dust collector hoppers in the insulation industry, the Mighty Whopper Valve’s steel plate construction and robust rotor gives it a distinct advantage over standard rotary airlock valves.
See complete product information about the Aerodyne Mighty Whopper Valve™.
KG Valve
A knife gate valve is used to control flow in a bulk-material handling system, either in the line of flow or at the point of discharge. Using a linear motion, a blade advances until the passage is closed, or it withdraws until the passage is open. In the closed position, the knife gate valve is designed to seat tightly and prevent the loss of positive or negative pressure of the system. The system must be able to tolerate a loss of pressure when the airlock valve is in the open position.
See complete product information about the Knife Gate Valve.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an airlock valve? Why does my dust collector need an airlock valve?
Think of an airlock valve as a one-way guard for your dust collector. Its main job is to let the collected dust drop out of the hopper without messing up the airflow or pressure inside the system.
An airlock valve is a device in a dust collection system that prevents higher pressure airstreams from interacting with lower pressure airstreams to keep dust from escaping the vessel and damaging internal components. Dust collectors need airlocks to operate properly, because if an airlock is not mounted on the dust collector, air will either leak in (vacuum system) or blow out (pressure system). If air is leaking inwards, airflow being collected at system pickup points will decrease, which can increase the chances of dust becoming dislodged from the collector and getting loose in the air. If air is blowing outwards, dust will be blown out of the collector and collect on the floor around it.
The Bottom Line: Whether your system pulls a vacuum or pushes pressure, you need a reliable airlock valve to keep your suction strong, your plant clean, and your operations running efficiently.
What are the benefits of a Vacu-Valve® compared to a traditional rotary airlock?
The biggest difference comes down to simplicity, power, and maintenance.
A traditional rotary airlock relies on an electric motor and spinning metal rotors to push dust through. On the other hand, the Aerodyne Vacu-Valve® is completely non-powered—it uses your system’s existing vacuum and natural gravity to drop dust automatically.
Here is a quick breakdown of why switching to a Vacu-Valve® saves you time and money:
- Zero Electricity Costs: Since the Vacu-Valve® doesn’t use a motor, it runs on absolutely zero power. Traditional rotary valves consume electricity every second they operate.
- No Maintenance Headaches: Traditional valves have gearboxes, bearings, and lubrication points that need regular servicing. The Vacu-Valve® has no moving mechanical parts, meaning no greasing, no maintenance checkups, and fewer breakdowns.
- Handles Abrasive Dust Better: Rotary valves experience heavy metal-on-metal wear, especially with abrasive dust. The Vacu-Valve® uses a tough, flexible sleeve sealing instead of hard metal rotors, eliminating internal metal friction and lasting much longer in high-wear environments.
How do I know which kind of valve will work for my application?
As much as we hate to answer a question with a question, it’s necessary to ask these ones:
- What is the nature of the material being handled?
- Will the valves meet your operational parameters?
- How should the valve be powered?
- How easy is the valve to maintain?
- How much will the valve cost?
Our full guide to these questions can be found here, and we encourage you to reach out to our engineering staff with questions!
How do I prevent air leakage in my dust collection system?
Airlocks prevent air from entering or exiting the bottom of the dust collector, and air leakage in a dust collection system typically stems from the lack of a proper airlock. Because airlock issues are created by poorly situated valves, damaged filter media, and abrasion damage on the dust collector’s housing, hopper, or ductwork, it’s critical to implement an airlock valve with the right kind of airlock seal for your application. Additionally, its recommended to determine whether your system is running under positive or negative pressure, as well as regularly evaluating your dust collection system for wear and abrasion that could be contributing to air leaks.
What valve is the best option for bridging dust?
Bridging occurs when dust builds up above discharge flanges to form “bridges” that prevent dust from leaving the hopper. This phenomenon typically occurs in applications with sticky, fibrous, and irregular shaped materials. When not managed properly, it can cause dust to fill up the hopper and affect overall removal efficiency of the attached dust collector. For dust that tends to bridge, we recommend the GatorGate Double Dump Valve or the Mighty Whopper Valve.
- The Double Dump valve uses tandem chambers with gates that open to dispense material. The cam operation makes it so that a door opens to dispense material only when its chamber is sealed by an internal flap. The doors alternate opening and closing to create a steady flow of material: when one chamber collects, the other dispenses. This valve operates best in a dry material handling system where pressure changes are unacceptable, and is best for materials that are free flowing and not sticky.
- The Mighty Whopper valve has a steel plate construction and a robust, open rotor that give it an advantage over industry standard rotary valves. Because the valve has an oversized rectangular inlet, it is ideal for bridging prevention because it prevents dust bridges from having structural integrity. Heavy duty is implied in the name “Mighty Whopper,” but the might comes from its stainless steel fabrication and ability to handle abrasive particulate, like fiberglass.
What are the different kinds of cyclones?
Aerodyne offers a GPC (ground plate cyclone) cyclone, a SplitStream cyclone, and a traditional TR cyclone. We also offer horizontal options. These can be customized to your specific application.
- The GPC– this cyclone is our compact high efficiency cyclone. Because it has a ground plate, it does not require a long, tapered body for effective dust separation, and its unique compact design is available in horizontal or vertical configurations.
- The SplitStream– this cyclone is best suited for tough dust and the issues that come with it. It’s capable of handling a wide range of materials with no major moving components, horizontal capability, and requires little maintenance.
- Traditional TR cyclone- This more traditionally built cyclone allows for the collection of large particles in an airstream when installed as a prefilter, and lowers loading strain on the system. This is a reliable, economic option.
Aerodyne also offers custom cyclones.
What dust collection system evaluations does Aerodyne offer?
Aerodyne offers dust collections system evaluations to help you determine:
- Dust particle size (analysis)
- System airflow and pressure
- Airlock and hopper performance
- Maintenance and optimization recommendations
Aerodyne offers both remote and in person system analyses. Depending on your location, the analysis may be taken care of by one of our trusted representatives or by a member of our in house engineering staff.
