Primarily focused on feeding and metering, our rotary airlock valves are a part of the process solution wherever dry, free-flowing powders, granules, crystals, or pellets are used. Our rotary valves perform well in a wide range of industry applications. Common materials include cement, ore, sugar, pigments, wood chips, minerals, grains, plastics, coal, soy white flakes, fly ash, flour, gypsum, lime, coffee, carbon black, and pharmaceuticals.
Prater Rotary Feeder and Metering Products
DUST COLLECTOR ROTARY AIRLOCK
Our Dust Collector Series Rotary Airlock is a budget-friendly, economical rotary airlock feeder; choice for general use under dust collectors, cyclones and hoppers.
HEAVY DUTY PAV ROTARY AIRLOCK
Our Heavy-Duty (PAV) Series Rotary Airlock is an ideal rotary valve choice for handling many dry, free-flowing powders where a pressure differential exists.
ABRASION RESISTANT ROTARY AIRLOCK
Our abrasion-resistant rotary airlock is considered our most durable rotary valve and is your solution to rotary airlock valves that constantly wear out in high abrasive applications.
QUICK TAKE APART AIRLOCK
Our Quick-Take-Apart (QTA) Series Rotary Airlock was designed specifically for applications where frequent removal of the rotary valve internals is necessary such as “Clean in Place” systems.
QUICK TAKE APART SERIES ON RAILS
Our Quick-Take-Apart Rail Series Rotary Airlock has a unique design with three times more load capacity than most other manufacturers’ rotary feeder valves. The rail design protects the rotor from dropping in awkward locations and allows for quick reassembly to maximize up-time.
BLOW-THRU ROTARY AIRLOCK VALVE
The Prater Blow-Thru Rotary Airlock Valves are designed and manufactured specifically for applications that require discharging into a pneumatic conveying line. These Airlocks are ideal for free-flowing materials that require some assistance in clearing the rotor vane pockets.
Rotary Airlock Valve Feeders manufactured by Prater are designed to provide improved performance to bulk material processing and production operations. In dry material metering applications, our valves ensure accurate material loading and unloading while also functioning as highly efficient rotary airlocks; minimizing pressure loss throughout the system.
Our customers rely on Prater Rotary Airlock Valve Feeders to perform various functions such as:
- Feed process materials into pneumatic conveying applications
- Regulate the flow of material from one chamber to another
- Measure metering of process materials in loading and unloading applications
- Minimize air loss while transferring material between vessels with differing pressures
Prater’s Rotary Airlock Valves can be configured and customized for most application requirements, especially for materials that may be highly abrasive. We understand the need for feeding more material at lower speeds, which is why our rotary airlock feeders are manufactured with larger pockets. In turn, this design minimizes air leakage, provides the benefit of longer life, and ensures a higher return on investment.
Feeding & Metering Case Studies
- Abrasion-Corrosion Solutions for the Charcoal Industry
- Vinyl Powder Solutions for the Flooring Industry
Wherever dry free-flowing powders, granules, crystals, or pellets are used, our rotary valves perform well in a wide range of industry applications. Common materials include cement, ore, sugar, pigments, wood chips, minerals, grains, plastics, coal, soy white flakes, fly ash, flour, gypsum, lime, coffee, carbon black, and pharmaceuticals.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is feeding and metering in bulk material processing?
Feeding and metering refer to the controlled introduction of bulk materials into a processing system. Rotary airlock feeders and valves regulate the flow of powders, granules, pellets, and crystals while maintaining consistent feed rates for downstream equipment.
What types of equipment are used for feeding and metering bulk materials?
Industrial feeding and metering systems commonly use rotary airlock valves, rotary feeders, and specialized airlock designs. These machines transfer material from hoppers, dust collectors, or storage vessels into conveying systems or processing equipment.
What is the purpose of a rotary airlock valve in a processing system?
A rotary airlock valve controls material flow while maintaining a pressure seal between two areas of a system. This allows bulk materials to move into pneumatic conveying lines or processing equipment without significant loss of air pressure.
What industries use feeding and metering equipment?
Feeding and metering equipment is widely used in industries such as food processing, chemicals, minerals, agriculture, plastics, and pharmaceuticals, where powders and bulk solids must be accurately introduced into production systems.
How do rotary feeders improve processing efficiency?
Rotary feeders help maintain consistent material flow, prevent pressure loss in conveying systems, and ensure accurate loading and unloading of bulk materials. These capabilities improve process stability and reduce production downtime.