Kice rotary airlocks start with heavy duty castings that are produced at Kice's own foundry. State-of-the-art equipment turns Kice's castings into precisely-machined valves with consistently-tight clearances. Kice airlocks are used in pneumatic conveying, dust control and flow control applications. Our engineers lean on four generations of experience when applying Kice airlocks; they are required 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and have done so in thousands of different applications and locations.
Application
Kice airlocks are used for many types of applications including pneumatic conveying, dust control and flow control. Each application is slightly different and often requires a customized touch. Kice maintains an inventory of many different types of airlocks in order to quickly respond to virtually every situation.
Factors such as pressure, heat, temperature and the thousands of different product characteristics make the application of airlocks very difficult. Kice engineers have over a half century worth of experience doing just this. Building the strongest, most reliable airlock is only half the battle. Being willing to listen to the customer and having the insight and expertise to apply these valves is just as important.
Advanced Replacement Program (VJ
Airlocks)
Worn out airlock valves can be rebuilt, and many companies prefer to do so rather than buying new ones. However, rebuilding valves takes time that most plants can’t afford to be down for. So, in an effort to recognize the value of a worn out valve, Kice introduced the Advanced Replacement Program
for VJ Airlocks. Simply order a new, replacement valve from Kice and install it during a normal shut down period. Send the old valve back to Kice, and Kice will send you a core credit for it. You'll have your replacement quickly and it costs you less than a new one - all to make your job easier.
Models
Kice VJ airlocks
are the most
popular choice
for standard
applications.
Kice VJ airlocks
are drop-thru,
inboard bearing
units. They can
be applied to a
high percentage
of the
applications
customers have.
These cast iron
valves are built
at our own
foundry, CFM
Corporation.
Clearances are
kept between
0.003” – 0.005”.
Sizes range from
6” to 30”
diameter rotors.
Kice VJ airlocks
are built in
large
quantities.
Savings from
economies of
scale are
transferred to
each unit so
that the
customer
realizes these
savings whether
buying a single
unit or large
quantity.
Kice VBS airlocks have the same dimensions as VJ airlocks. However, these are heavy-duty fabricated, stainless steel units that are built when special materials, special design characteristics or other considerations are necessary.
Kice VD airlocks
are fabricated valves with a
jet-under design. They are
used for products that are
not easily injected into a
pneumatic conveying line.
The jet-under design
efficiently ‘clears’ each
rotor pocket as it passes
into the air stream. They
can not be used in sequence
on the same pneumatic
conveying line. They must be
the only valve on the line
or the first in sequence.
This airlock is
also available
with outboard
bearings (VDOT).
Kice VJOT airlocks are cast iron valves that have the same flange and rotor dimensions as the VJ airlocks, but incorporate outboard bearings. These valves are generally used in high temperature applications or with materials that tend to cause bearing failure.
Kice VPOT airlocks are cast iron, outboard bearing valves that incorporate a blow thru style connection to a pneumatic conveying line. They are used in situations where either height or special product characteristics come into play.
Custom Features Available for Every
Application
Kice Airlock Drives
are nearly always
supplied with a premium
grade, parallel shaft,
C-Face gear motor. These
parallel shaft
assemblies are typically
over 97% efficient
compared to about 60%
efficiency on right
angle gear motors. Chain
drives with Kice guards
painted OSHA orange are
standard.
Adjustable Motor Mounts
for tensioning chains
are standard on most
Kice airlock assemblies
with gear motors.
Trailing Edges Relieved
(TER)
is a process that
machines the ‘back side’
of the rotor tips and
sides to a 45 degree
angle and reduces the
surface area of the tip,
lessening the chance of
airlock binding when
handling sticky
products.
Inlet Plows
are standard on Kice
cast iron valves. This
creates a scissor action
as each rotor blade
enters into the housing.
This reduces the
likelihood that a piece
of product will bind an
airlock in the ‘nip
point’.
Standard Kice Rotors
on all valves are cast
iron and precision
machined to match each
valve body for efficient
performance and long
life. Standard rotors
have open ends and are
full depth. Standard
rotors have 8 blades.
Bolt-on Rotor Tips
are available in an
assortment of different
materials depending on
the material being
handled. AR steel tips
can be used for abrasive
material. Flexible
urethane tips can be
used for fibrous
materials that can choke
a valve.
Shallow Depth Rotors
are available for
precision flow control.
Coating and Plating
such as hard chrome,
nickel and Teflon® can be
applied to machined
surfaces inside Kice
airlocks for special
product requirements.
Bolt-On Pans
are used with drop-thru
style airlocks that are
used to feed pneumatic
conveying lines.
Air Purge Seals
are available on
outboard bearing
airlocks which further
help to keep product
away from bearings.
Custom Shaft Seals
Kice Surge
Hoppers are used on
the inlets of airlocks
that feed pneumatic
conveying lines. Surge
hoppers provide a clear
path for airlock bypass
air to leave the product
stream relatively slowly
without carrying product
with it. Kice Surge
Hoppers are available as
round or square units
depending on the
application.
The MECO-Pac is a double-faced, mechanical seal that eliminates shaft wear. This proven seal combines food-grade materials with industrial-strength design. The MECO-Pac offers excellent abrasion resistance at temperatures up to 500ºF. A low-pressure, low-flow air or gas barrier keeps process isolated from atmosphere, and helps predict maintenance intervals.
Special Clearances between the rotor blades
and the housing are
engineered for specific
temperature and product
concerns.
Square and Round
inlets/outlets are
available on most models
of Kice airlocks.
Inlet Shunts are used to keep product
out of the ‘nip point’,
the area where the rotor
enters into the housing.
HTD or COG
Belt Drives are
available upon request.
Materials
of Construction include cast iron,
fabricated steel or
stainless steel.
Kice QuikShip is a dedicated parts and service team located in Wichita at the main office. An extensive inventory of parts
is kept on hand for same day shipment. Kice QuikShip can be reached toll free at 877-289-5423.
