Industrial rotary feeders, also known as rotary airlocks or rotary valves.
A rotary feeder is a mechanical device that consists of a rotor with multiple blades/vanes that rotate within a fixed housing. As the rotor turns, material is transferred from the inlet at the top to the outlet at the bottom in discrete pockets formed between the vanes. This creates a continuous, controlled flow of material while maintaining an airlock seal between the inlet and outlet.
Key Components:
- Housing - The outer casing that contains the rotor, typically made of cast iron or steel
- Rotor - The central shaft with attached vanes, available in various configurations
- End plates - Seal the housing on both sides
- Drive system - Usually an electric motor with speed reduction
- Seals - Prevent material and air leakage around the rotor shaft
Primary Functions:
- Metering material flow at a controlled rate
- Maintaining pressure differential between upstream and downstream processes
- Preventing air leakage in pneumatic conveying systems
- Acting as an airlock in dust collection systems
Common Applications:
- Pneumatic conveying systems
- Dust collectors and bag houses
- Hoppers and silos
- Food processing
- Chemical processing
- Plastics manufacturing
Key Design Considerations:
- Material characteristics (particle size, abrasiveness, flow properties)
- Required throughput capacity
- Operating temperature
- Pressure differential
- Space constraints
- Clean-in-place requirements (especially for food applications)
Common Rotor Types:
- Open-end rotor
- Closed-end rotor
- Reduced volume rotor
- Adjustable tip rotor
- Flex tip rotor
The choice of rotor type depends on the specific application requirements and material characteristics.