Epoxy Stove Enamel Finish: A Kinetrol Advantage

Kinetrol actuators are well-known for their bright yellow, epoxy stove enamel finish. This coating is engineered to protect the exterior of their pneumatic actuators and accessories. But what is "epoxy stove enamel"?

Epoxy stove enamel is a high quality stoving finish that provides excellent adhesion to a substrate. Epoxy stove enamel forms a very hard, abrasion resistant, chemical and solvent resistant coating that stands up to many extreme environmental conditions. Epoxy stove enamel finish provides high level chemical/corrosion resistant qualities, and is used often in applications such as machinery, industrial equipment, and heavy duty transport machinery.

Kinetrol actuators are engineered specifically for high-cycle, dirty, and corrosive applications. The combination of epoxy stove enamel finish and stainless steel external hardware provide Kinetrol actuators outstanding protection from dirt and harmful chemicals.

Kinetrol USA
https://kinetrolusa.com
972-447-9443

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

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.

Kinetrol Vane Actuators in the Cement Industry from Kinetrol USA

Corrosive Flow Control Requirement? Use Thermoplastic Valves and Corrosion Resistant Rotary Actuators

Thermoplastic valves with corrosion
resistant actuators, springs and positioners.
(Kinetrol)

Thermoplastic valves made of materials such as Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS), Glass Fibre Polypropylene (GRPP), Anti-Static Polypropylene (ASPP), and Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) are becoming the material of choice for more and more chemical process applications. Increasingly, you see these valves in industrial and commercial applications in pharmaceutical production, power generation, chemical processing, and water treatment. There reasons are obvious: chemical resistance; high purity standards; abrasion resistance; lighter weight; lower cost; and ease of installation.

Thoughtful actuator selection is required when plastic valves are specified. While the mechanics in applying pneumatic actuators to plastic quarter-turn valves is no different than metallic valves, the characteristics of the process and application can have significant impact on the performance the automated valve.

The assumption is that, if a thermoplastic valve is required, there is an higher probability the of exposure to corrosive media, or the automated valve assembly is located in a corrosive atmosphere, and therefore a corrosion resistant pneumatic actuator is preferred. Considering this, an actuator with internal and external parts protected by epoxy resins or special paints should be applied. Additionally, actuator spring systems should be designed in way to prevent exposure to corrosive media.

Corrosion resistant
rotary vane actuator
with special external
coating. (Kinetrol Blueline).

The rotary vane actuators manufactured by Kinetrol standardly meet theses requirements. Engineered specifically for high-cycle, dirty, and corrosive applications, these very hardy, compact actuators come standardly with an epoxy stove enamel finish, stainless steel internal and external hardware, with spring units that are totally sealed from the atmospheric contaminants. For applications requiring greater corrosion resistance, such as caustic wash-down or salt-laden environments, an optional "Blueline" coating can be applied,

Rotary Vane Actuators for Corrosive Marine Environments: The Right Choice

Corrosive marine environments present problems for
valve actuators.

Corrosive marine environments such as offshore oil rigs, shipyards, and maritime facilities present special challenges for pneumatic actuators. Proper selection of actuator design is important for long, trouble-free life. Salt-laden dust and high humidity take a harsh toll on the internal and external parts of any industrial equipment if not properly designed and protected. For example, rack & pinion and scotch-yoke actuators are particularly susceptible because of the relative ease of penetrating the actuator and affecting their critical components, such as metallic gears and coil springs. Spring-return rack & pinion and scotch-yoke actuators further complicate the issue because they require the intake and venting of ambient air, along with any contaminants in the air.

Rotary vane actuators, (such as Kinetrol) provide strong immunity to internal corrosion. First, they have no internal gears or springs to corrode. Second, the internal surfaces are coated with a very durable, epoxy enamel finish and all internal hardware is made from stainless steel. Additionally, the “wiping” action of the vane and lip-seals provide a self-cleaning effect that prevents corrosion in the working areas. Finally, unlike rack & pinion and scotch-yoke actuators whose coil springs are bathed in ambient air, (Kinetrol) vane actuators use externally mounted clock type springs that are 100% sealed from ambient air/gasses and are unaffected by corrosive atmospheres.

For any application where corrosion is a problem, such as those in offshore platforms or other marine facilities, engineers should strongly consider rotary vane actuators as the preferred choice for any quarter-turn valve application.

The video below illustrates the difference in construction in actuator types and illustrates the inherent advantages of vane style actuators:

Pneumatic Actuators in Marine Environment (Offshore Rigs)

High density, cramped spots are ideal
for Kinetrol actuators and accessories.

Offshore oil rigs present some special challenges to pneumatic actuator manufacturers. First, the corrosive marine environment takes a harsh toll on the internal and external parts of a typical actuator. Rack and pinion actuators are particularly susceptible.

Because rotary vane actuators, (such as Kinetrol) or their spring units, don't "breathe" ambient air, they have great immunity to internal corrosion. Also, a very durable, epoxy enamel finish and stainless steel hardware provide maximum external protection.

Ideal for corrosive, marine installation.

Another challenge for offshore use is the very limited space available. Facilitation of large scotch yoke actuators, is quite difficult. Actuators such as Kinetrol's compact vane design with integral direct-mount limit switch make it a perfect choice in applications where space is at a premium. In these cramped and below grating installations you want the long maintenance-free life that you can install with confidence for years of service.

Click on images for larger view.

Low maintenance is important
in hard to get to places

Long life where access is a problem.