CUSTOM-ENGINEERED GUILLOTINE DAMPERS FOR HEAVY-DUTY ISOLATION
From design to fabrication, Kelair's slide gate & guillotine dampers are manufactured with the highest quality materials to the exact specifications of clients.
Download our BrochureKelair Dampers Brochure
A guillotine damper is a single-blade isolation damper that fully retracts the blade from the duct when open, allowing maximum flow with minimal pressure drop. When closed, the blade provides dependable isolation for maintenance, inspection and process safety. Unlike dampers designed for continuous flow modulation, guillotine dampers excel in applications where reliable shutoff and low leak performance are the primary objectives.
Kelair designs and manufactures customized dampers to meet each customer’s operating conditions rather than relying on standard catalog products. Every industrial damper is engineered based on duct size, operating temperature, pressure, media characteristics and actuation requirements.
Whether the application requires a manual, motorized guillotine dampers package, electrically operated damper, motorized damper or operated damper, Kelair works directly with customers from design through fabrication to deliver dependable performance.
Our heavy-duty construction makes these dampers well suited for corrosive gases, abrasive particulate and high-temperature process streams. With typical lead times of 2–5 weeks depending on configuration, Kelair helps customers keep maintenance schedules on track without sacrificing quality.
Where Guillotine Dampers Deliver Dependable, Low-Leak Isolation
Kelair slide gate dampers and guillotine dampers are designed for applications where dependable isolation is more important than continuous flow modulation. Their retracting blade design allows the blade to move completely out of the process stream when open, minimizing pressure drop while providing reliable, low leak shutoff when closed. These dampers perform exceptionally well in severe-service environments containing high temperatures, corrosive gases, abrasive particulate and demanding process conditions.
Industries & Applications
Kelair guillotine dampers are used throughout a wide range of industries, including:
- Power generation, including HRSG, combined-cycle plants, boilers, bypass damper applications and turbine bypass systems
- Biomass and waste-to-energy facilities
- Petrochemical and chemical processing
- Cement, steel and metals manufacturing
- Pulp and paper mills
- Pollution control systems, including SCR units, FGD systems, baghouses, scrubbers, thermal oxidizers and incinerators
These applications frequently require equipment isolation during inspections, maintenance or repairs, making reliable shutoff critical to plant safety and uptime.
Choosing the Right Damper
A guillotine damper is the preferred choice when tight isolation is the primary objective and flow modulation is not required. In contrast, a butterfly damper, louver damper, blade damper, diverter damper, toggle damper, multi louver damper or poppet damper may be better suited for applications requiring airflow regulation, diversion or specialized operating characteristics. Kelair’s engineering team works directly with customers to determine the best solution for each application.
Built for Severe-Service Isolation
Many industrial processes require what is commonly referred to as man-safe isolation, where equipment must be securely isolated before personnel can safely enter downstream ductwork or process equipment for inspection or maintenance. Kelair engineers every guillotine damper to meet the specific temperature, pressure, media and shutoff requirements of the application, helping facilities achieve dependable isolation during planned outages. As a family-owned manufacturer, Kelair provides direct access to engineering support and typical lead times of 2–5 weeks, helping customers complete maintenance projects on schedule.
*Operational testing and calibrating are completed at the factory prior to installation.
Product Features & Specifications
Every Kelair guillotine damper is custom engineered to meet the specific operating conditions of the application. While the specifications below represent standard capabilities, each unit is designed around the required temperature, pressure, media, shutoff performance, materials and actuation method rather than being supplied as a fixed catalog product.
Kelair guillotine dampers provide up to 99% shutoff at 5 inches WC. Where specified by the project, leakage performance can be evaluated using applicable ANSI/AMCA 510 testing procedures to verify isolation performance.
Seal Selection
The proper seal depends on the operating environment:
Compression seals are recommended for clean to moderately particulate process streams where dependable isolation is required.
Metal seat seals are preferred for high-temperature, abrasive or corrosive applications where soft sealing materials may not be suitable.
Actuation Selection
Kelair offers manual, electric and pneumatic damper actuation packages sized to the torque requirements of each application. Manual operators are ideal for infrequently cycled equipment, pneumatic actuators provide rapid operation and optional spring-return failsafe capability, while electric actuators are well suited for remote operation and automated process control.
These packages are available for standalone dampers as well as HVAC dampers, depending on the application’s operating requirements.
Enclosed Bonnet Design
An enclosed bonnet protects the retracted blade when the damper is fully open, helping prevent particulate buildup and reducing exposure to the process stream. Compared with an open-bonnet design, this configuration provides greater protection in demanding industrial environments and contributes to long-term reliability.
Where thermal movement is expected, Kelair can also accommodate an expansion joint as part of the overall duct system design.
The following specifications represent Kelair’s standard design capabilities. Higher pressure ratings, specialty materials and custom configurations are available to meet unique application requirements.
- Sizes: from 10″ to 120″
- Process Temperature: Up to 1000°F
- Configurations: Round, square, & rectangular
- Construction: Stainless steel or painted carbon steel (other materials available upon request)
- Shutoff: Up to 99%
- Seal Options: Compression & metal seat
- Actuation: Manual, electric & pneumatic (spring return and failsafe available)
- Modulation: Open/closed
- Pressure: Up to 1 PSI & 4000 FPM process air (higher available upon request)
- Enclosed bonnet (blade retraction) area: Standard
Butterfly Dampers
Butterfly dampers are among Kelair’s most economical and versatile solutions, designed for both flow control and low-leakage isolation. These dampers are commonly used in duct systems handling clean air, gas or light particulate and can also be engineered for corrosive or high-temperature environments. Typical specifications include:
- Sizes ranging from approximately 6″ to 144″
- Temperature capability up to ~1900°F
- Shutoff performance up to ~99%+ depending on seal type
Butterfly dampers are ideal for applications requiring compact design, quick actuation and consistent performance across temperature swings.
Industrial Ducting
Kelair's custom-designed industrial ductwork is used in various applications, including pneumatic conveying, air pollution control, and industrial ventilation systems.
Isolation Valves
Isolation valves provide positive shutoff in air and gas handling systems, especially in hazardous or high-temperature environments. These components are typically installed at branch points or system junctions to isolate sections for maintenance, inspection or emergency shutdown.
Compared to dampers, isolation valves are more commonly used in piping systems but often work alongside dampers to provide complete system control and redundancy.
Butterfly Valves
Butterfly valves serve as flow control elements within piping and duct systems, regulating liquids, gases or particulates. These valves are often used in conjunction with industrial dampers to fine-tune process control. Available in multiple materials and configurations, butterfly valves are suitable for both low- and high-temperature applications and provide reliable, repeatable modulation.
Louver Dampers
Louver dampers (multi-vane dampers) are designed for precise airflow modulation in large duct systems. Their multiple blade design allows for accurate control of air or gas distribution while maintaining relatively low pressure drop.
Typical specifications include:
- Sizes from 14″ to 132″
- Temperature capability up to ~2100°F (with refractory options)
- Pressure up to 2 PSI and 4000 FPM
- Shutoff up to ~99% depending on seals
Louver dampers are commonly used in power generation, fan inlet control, metal processing and air pollution control systems.
CUSTOM-ENGINEERED GUILLOTINE DAMPERS FOR HEAVY-DUTY ISOLATION
Slide gate (guillotine) dampers are designed for complete isolation and can achieve near-zero leakage. These dampers use a sliding blade mechanism that cuts through airflow and particulates, making them ideal for abrasive or particulate-heavy environments.
Typical features include:
- Sizes from 4″ to 96″
- Heavy-duty construction for high-temperature and corrosive conditions
- Minimal moving parts for reduced maintenance
These dampers are best suited for dust collection, mining and bulk material handling systems where isolation is critical.
Diverter & Tee Dampers
Diverter and tee dampers are used to redirect airflow between two or more outlets. These dampers are widely used in incineration systems and thermal oxidizers, where process air must be routed between operational paths or bypassed entirely.
They are available in round, square or rectangular configurations and can be designed for modulating or full shutoff service depending on the application.
Refractory Dampers
Refractory dampers are engineered for extreme heat and can withstand temperatures up to 2100°F.
These dampers are commonly used in:
- Kilns and furnaces
- Waste incineration systems
- Thermal oxidizers
Refractory lining reduces heat loss, protects structural components and improves durability in corrosive or high-particulate environments.
Inlet Vane Dampers
Inlet vane dampers regulate airflow entering fans and blowers to optimize performance and reduce energy consumption. By controlling airflow at the inlet, these dampers can significantly reduce horsepower requirements compared to outlet control methods.
They are widely used in HVAC and industrial ventilation systems where energy efficiency and precise airflow control are priorities and can also function as zone dampers in large-scale airflow systems.
Backdraft Dampers
Backdraft dampers are designed to allow airflow in one direction while preventing reverse flow. These dampers automatically open when airflow is present and close when flow stops or reverses.
Draft dampers are commonly used in ventilation systems to:
- Protect equipment
- Maintain system efficiency
- Prevent contamination or backflow
Stack Cap Dampers
Stack cap dampers isolate exhaust stack openings during system shutdown. These dampers prevent foreign material from entering the system, reduce heat loss and minimize the stack effect caused by temperature differences.
They are especially useful in high-temperature exhaust systems where maintaining system integrity and efficiency is critical.
