Procedure to Clean Air System Shuttle
Valves
Prepared by Larry Carey and Lynn Gonzalez
Reviewed by French Leger and Mark Klaene
Maintained by Gretchen Van Doren
Last modified on
The proper method to remove and clean shuttle valve air dryers in air
system (2 ea).
Cautionary Notes
Equipment Involved in
this Procedure
Procedure
CAUTIONARY
NOTES:
You must be properly trained on the use of
the manipulator arm prior to accomplishing this procedure; see
training
list.
One each contained in air system boxes
labeled "Dryer 1" and Dryer 2," mounted on west wall of Boiler room
in Operations building, either side of large tank.
Isolate the dryer from the air
system
Clean only ONE AT A TIME.
Must be unplugged when cleaning.
Bleed line prior to cleaning.
EQUIPMENT
INVOLVED IN THIS PROCEDURE
Needle nose pliers; Location:
tool chest in 2.5m work area
KimWipes/cotton swabs
Silicone lubricant
5/8" wrench
1/2" deep-well socket
Crocus cloth
PROCEDURE: accomplish in
order
Definitions:
"NO" = normally open
"NC" = normally closed
- Close valve on copper line labeled "Compressor out NO"
- Close valve on copper line labeled "Dryer NO"
- Turn off power switch
- Open "Drain vent NC" and remove dryer cover
- Disconnect lower hoses (3 ea) with wrench
- Remove lower nut with socket
- Remove solenoid air pilot valve
- Remove two center nut and lock washer attaching nut to
backplate
- Remove remaining hose
- Remove shuttle valve unit
- Slide unit off and remove spring; store in safe place (next 4
photos)
- Photo of valve before disassembly
- Remove manifold plate and gasket
- Remove valve end cap
- Using pliers, remove valve, white nylon, and plug
- Remove shuttle valve (view of dirty valve before cleaning)
- Dirt from inside valve cylinder
- With alcohol, clean all removed housing parts. Clean shuttle
valve with dish soap.
- Clean inside of valve cylinder
- Clean inside hose openings
- Smooth manifold surface with Crocus cloth and clean with
alcohol
- Add a sheen of silicone lubricant to valve; remove excess
- Clean all covers for valve unit
- Apply thin coating of lubricant to manifold cover groove
- Reassemble unit; add lubricant to all crews, tightening corner
to corner
- Put shuttle valve back into housing
- Attach white seal and cover
- Lubricate screws and tighten; make sure holes are centered
when tightening
- Reinstall shuttle valve unit to dryer
- After shuttle valve is reassembled, turn all valves back to
normal position (except "Open NO." Need to recylcel unit a fe
wimte before opening this valve)
- Close vent valve
- Open inlet valve
- Plug in and turn on power
- Cycle a few time then engage "Open NO"
- Replace cover on unit, watch recylcing a few more times to
make sure compressor dryers are working.
END OF PROCEDURE