Consider Space and Fit as a Cost Driver When Applying Actuation to Your Valves and Dampers

Being creative with the design and layout of automated valve packages, and paying attention to space, has significant impact on the total life-cost of an automated valve (or damper) package. Evaluating the footprint available, and then choosing components that will allow for simple installation and continued ease of maintenance, will pay dividends over the long term. Always plan your valve and damper automation systems with ample space for access to tools and service personnel.  Don't burden your maintenance staff with an over complicated or nightmarish actuation system that takes hours of preparation just to do routine maintenance. Also consider that easier access many times means greater safety.

Kinetrol pneumatic actuators, spring modules, and positioners are engineered with this in mind. Their efficient actuator design provides more torque in a smaller package and their bolt together, modular configuration, provides very significant space savings. The result is more power in a smaller space, along with easy access, and quick change-out.
Consider Space When Applying Actuation
Consider Space When Applying Actuation
(click for larger view)

As you can see from the image above, electrohydraulically powered valves and dampers (left) require pumps and motors. Pneumatic cylinder operated valve and dampers require mounting fixtures, linkages, and additional tubing. But you'll note the Kinetrol actuator and positioner (center) provides mounting directly to the valve/damper shaft. The automation is done cleanly and takes up substantially less space.

Which would you rather service?

Pneumatic Valve and Damper Actuators Designed to Stand Up to the Cement Industry

Cement silo
Cement silos.
Cement plants take a harsh toll on equipment such as valves and actuators. Abrasive material is involved from the beginning to the end. Materials handled are often dusty and cause severe abrasive wear of equipment. The movement, blending, storage, and transport of limestone, shale, iron ore, and clay wreaks havoc on the life expectancy of process equipment. Additionally, corrosion issues in cement plants are frequent and costly.

Because of their reliability and ruggedness, Kinetrol rotary vane actuators are used in many processes across a cement plant. These applications include vehicle unloading, silo discharge, air cooling dampers, distribution, bagging and emissions control.

You can download a PDF that outlines where vane actuators are used in all areas of cement production here, or you can read the embedded document below.