What is the clearance of rotary airlock valve?

The clearance in a rotary airlock valve refers to the small gap between the rotating rotor and the stationary housing (including headplates). The clearance between the rotor and housing in a rotary air lock valve is typically very small, ranging from 0.003 inches (0.08 mm) to 0.009 inches (0.23 mm) for standard valves.

This clearance is crucial for several reasons:

• Minimizing Air Leakage: The tight clearance helps prevent air from leaking between the inlet and outlet sides of the valve. This is particularly important for applications where maintaining pressure differentials is critical, such as pneumatic conveying systems.
• Sealing Effectiveness: Close clearances ensure a good seal between the pockets and the housing, preventing material from leaking back out the inlet or mixing with air that might leak in.
• Friction Management: While too tight a clearance can increase friction and wear, excessively large clearances can compromise sealing and air leakage control.