The Vacu-Valve is a low cost alternative to a rotary valve.  There are no motors, pneumatics, or moving parts as it operates by using the system vacuum above to seal the sleeve.  This is typically from a cyclone, baghouse, or cartridge collector.  Since the sleeve is split, gravity will slowly pull the solids down through the sleeve until they exit the sleeve and fall into the collection hopper.  As you can see from the description, not all solids will easily pass through this.  The ideal particulate would be sand.  It’s small, spherical shape and the density allows it to easily pass through the valve.  It doesn’t bridge easily.

How does the OSHA silica rule affect me?

Space is an ever-present factor in the design of a ventilation system. Ductwork takes up space, dust collectors often must be placed outside under NFPA regulations, and said collectors often require a skid. Aerodyne’s GPC cyclone offers a viable alternative to space-hogging equipment in many applications.

Choosing the right dust collection solution requires careful evaluation of the specific application.

Choosing the right dust collection solution requires careful evaluation of the specific application.

OSHA attributes a good amount of illnesses and deaths to exposure to silica dust, having been proven to carcinogenic and a cause of untreatable silicosis, which creates a distinct lesion in the lungs. OSHA also hasn’t updated its laws regarding silica exposure since 1971. As such, OSHA plans to do something about it.

A recent survey of dust collector users, performed by Aerodyne in 2015, found that the majority of all dust collectors in use are over seven years old, with 45% of all units being over 10 years old.. This finding begs the question: why use these purchases for so long? A few reasons spring to mind.

A facility that specializes in grinding down particulate to custom sizes was experiencing a lag in its process. The process uses 5,000 ACFM to pneumatically convey granular plastic powder from the production area to the packaging area. The system needs to move 5,000 lbs of dust per hour. To do this, the company utilizes a series of baghouse collectors.

Plant operators were finding that too much time and money was being spent on maintenance and replacement parts. Due to the nature of the operation, the filters on the baghouses were becoming clogged too quickly. Production time was getting reduced which was contributing to a loss in profit and money was being spent on replacement parts. Bottom line: the company was losing money. Searching for a solution to the problem, the company reached out to Aerodyne.

Aerodyne sees many cases and problems like this company was facing. Over time baghouses removal efficiencies and the recovery levels of the product decrease as the filters wear or become clogged. The maintenance needed is frequent and time consuming, and often times baghouses can’t be used in application due to the nature of the particulate.