Mobile Navigation

Solids Handling

View Comments PDF

Focus on Solids Handling

| By Gerald Ondrey

Material Transfer and Storage

This bulk-bag conditioner has a rotary lift platform

The new hydraulic bulk-bag conditioner with rotary lift platform (photo) quickly and safely returns solidified materials in bulk bags to a free-flowing state. The operator loads the bulk bag into the unit via forklift and activates a conditioning sequence controlled by a programmable logic controller (PLC). Twin pivoting conditioning arms with extended travel penetrate deeply into the material for effective results. A robust hydraulic rotary-lift platform positions the bulk bag during the conditioning sequence, ensuring the bag is thoroughly conditioned from top to bottom. Patented design returns even the most severely agglomerated materials to a free-flowing state. Units are custom designed. — Material Transfer and Storage, Allegan, Mich.

www.materialtransfer.com

 

 

 

Schenck Process

This diverter valve hasmany new features

The second-generation of the PT45 diverter valve (photo) introduces new features, such as adjustable alignment stops located in the housing, position indication from the tunnel itself, additional actuation options and external tunnel-position indication. A positive food-grade rubber-silicone seal at each port is designed to help prevent contamination. Additional features include 45-deg port-to-port rotation; a two-way switching capability for either dilute phase or dense phase conveying applications; cast iron or aluminum housing, tunnel, and end plates with a 316 stainless-steel actuator and arm assembly; and inlet and outlet ports flanged to mate 150# ANSI flange patterns. — Schenck Process LLC, Whitewater, Wis.

www.schenckprocess.com/us

 

 

Midwestern Industries

Non-binding wire design promotes screening efficiency

Over the years, screen blinding and pegging have been barriers to efficient material screening that processors have sought to overcome via a variety of half-measure solutions. Now, this company recently launched its Klear-Screen series panels to solve these problems. The series (Styles S, M and W; photo) design features spaced wire-cloth urethane strips that essentially operate as live moving wires to create more throughput to dislodge materials. Ultimately, the resulting near-size particles will not blind the screens. — Midwestern Industries, Inc., Massillon, Ohio

www.midwesternind.com

 

Acrison

Unloader uses ‘regulated vibration’ for discharging

The new Model 821 Bulk Bag Unloader (photo) provides, a safe, dust-tight and highly effective means for discharging a wide assortment of dry solid materials from within bulk bags of various sizes, typically for use in conjunction with this company’s metering equipment. In operation, positive product discharge is reliably achieved by means of regulated vibration uniformly applied to the body of the Model 821 Unloader, and in turn to the bulk bag. The vibratory action is produced by an adjustable heavy-duty motorized vibrator, powered by a totally enclosed, non.vented (a.c.) motor. When energized, powerful flow-inducing vibratory forces transfer from the body of the unloader into the bag and the material contained within, effectively and efficiently discharging its contents. An independently mounted iris valve with the company’s Bag Spout Untie Receptacle is attached beneath the unloader and flexibly connects to the outlet of the unloader. The outlet of the Untie Receptacle typically connects to auxiliary process equipment for a totally dust-tight assembly. — Acrison, Inc., Moonachie, N.J.

www.acrison.com

 

 

 

Charles Ross & Son

Reverse-lift mixers with CIP and purged controls

The Double Planetary Mixer is available in a reverse-lift design that raises the vessel to the mixing position, rather than lowering the agitator assembly. A reverse lift facilitates improved rigidity and more uniform blade-to-vessel clearances without relying on the floor to be completely level. Four of eleven such reverse-lift model DPM-100 mixers (photo) were recently built for a single end user. Two interchangeable mixing vessels are supplied with each machine to form a semi-continuous mixing operation. Double Planetary Mixers can process both wet (pastes and slurries) and dry (granulations and powder blends) applications, including semi-solids (gels and dough-like materials). The 100-gal mixers feature an elaborate clean-in-place (CIP) system, which includes a total of five ports with rotating spray nozzles directed at the gearbox, agitators and vessel. Each mixer is controlled from a NEMA 4X stainless-steel purged panel (Class I, Div 1, Group D). The entire fleet of eleven machines is explosion-proof. — Charles Ross & Son Co., Hauppauge, N.Y.

www.mixers.com

Flexicon

An ultra-high capacity bag-filling system

A new sanitary bulk-bag filling system (photo) features dual Swing-Down fillers fed by high-capacity weigh hoppers, achieving fill rates of up to 40 bulk bags per hour. The patented filler design simultaneously lowers and pivots each fill head into a vertically oriented position that places the inflatable spout connection collar, inflator button, and four bag-loop latches within reach of an operator standing on the plant floor. This significantly increases the safety and speed of connecting bulk bags, because the operator can connect each bag loop and the bag spout without having to stand on a ladder or reach over equipment to secure the bag. The all-stainless-steel system is finished to sanitary standards and equipped with a NEMA 4X controls enclosure, allowing wash-down. — Flexicon Corp., Bethlehem, Pa.

www.flexicon.com

 

 

Partners launch a smart belt-cleaning monitor

Together with partner Uptake (Chicago, Ill.), this company recently introduced Flexco Elevate Belt Conveyor Intelligence, a realtime belt-cleaner monitoring system that harnesses the power of predictive analytics to remotely gather critical insights that optimize belt conveyor productivity and heighten operational efficiencies. Flexco Elevate allows for the remote monitoring of belt cleaners via a wireless platform. Data collected from belt cleaners are transferred into insights, delivered to an intuitive cloud-based dashboard. The easy-to-use platform is designed to simplify and accelerate belt maintenance using its powerful, data-driven engine. — Flexco, Downers Grove, Ill.

www.flexco.com

Vibra Screw

Spiral elevating conveyor handles hot catalyst

This company is providing an 18-in. spiral conveyor (photo) for the elevated transfer of various hot (~400°F) catalysts extrusions coming off a rotary calciner. The heat of the material causes severe maintenance problems when using a bucket elevator, resulting in unacceptable downtime. This Spiral Conveyor moves material vertically, solely through the action of twin external vibrators with no internal moving parts. It eliminates the heat-related maintenance problems of the bucket elevator with its many parts and also helps cool the material prior to the next process point. This machine is fabricated of 316 stainless-steel material-contact surface and includes a heat-resistant paint finish on external steel parts. — Vibra Screw, Inc., Totowa, N.J.

www.vibrascrew.com

 

 

ystral

Achieve complete wetting without forming agglomorates

The Conti-TDS (photo) achieves the complete wetting and optimum dispersion of powder particles, both in liquid and viscous media. It is used, for example, in the manufacture of all solvent-based and watery coating suspensions. The powder is added via a suction hose from bags or directly from containers. The powder only comes into contact with the liquid in the dispersion zone (photo). The dispersion takes place under a massive shearing action and vacuum. The Conti-TDS generates its suction effect directly in the liquid. This means that contact between the operator and the materials is completely avoided. — ystral GmbH, Ballrechten-Dottingen, Germany

www.ystral.de

 

This solids-dosing system is accurate and flexible

ystral

The new modular, multi-dosing system (photo) from this company is suitable for accurate powder dosing of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and excipients in the process of solid-dosage production. Up to eight different dosing units, each designed to specific product characteristics, such as feedrate, accuracy and flow behavior, are modularly configurable according to user requirements. The multi-dosing system can be executed for continuous production processes with refilling units, as well as for traditional batch procedures. High-accuracy dosing results, also with hardly flowing and cohesive powders, are essential for a repeatable process and further steps, such as mixing/blending, granulation, hot-melt extrusion, drying, direct compression and coating. Depending on the diameter and design of the screws, outputs from 0.005 kg/h up to 1,000 kg/h can be achieved. — Three-Tec GmbH, Seon, Switzerland

www.three-tec.ch

Ajax Equipment

Nickel-handling system has a V-shaped hopper

This solids-handling specialist has supplied Brighouse-based project engineering, design and consultancy service provider, Projex Solutions Ltd. with a handling system comprising a collecting hopper and a screw conveyor for transferring nickel and nickel-oxide powder. The nickel-handling system (photo) collects the powder from a kiln gas cyclone. The mild steel hopper is V-shaped and steep-walled for best flow behavior. The collecting screw features both left and right-hand flights for efficient central discharge. Nickel is a fine, highly dense powder, making it highly abrasive. To mitigate the resulting wear, the flights of the screw have been treated with a hard-wearing coating. — Ajax Equipment Ltd., Bolton, U.K.

www.ajax.co.uk

 

Systems & Controls

A system for micro and tote batching

Customized ingredient-batching systems with both liquid and dry materials (photo) are now available. Each automatic Micro and Tote Batching System is custom designed and manufactured to meet the specific needs and requirements of the user for batching both liquid and dry materials. These systems typically include supply bins, feeders, work platforms, automatic or manual bin refilling, liquid tank/pump skid equipment and the dry and liquid dosing automatic control system. Optional equipment may include raw-material bag-lift handling equipment, dust collection/control for high-dust dry materials, batch material conveying equipment (such as mechanical drag conveyor), lot tracking and traceability, barcode scanning and RFID scanning. Other customized options can also be included. Micro weighing systems are those that have scale weighments up to around 50 lb. Larger weighments are known as Minor (from 50 to 100–150 lb) and Major (>150 lb). — Systems & Controls, Inc., Sterling, Ill.

www.sterlingcontrols.com

Best Process Solutions

These vibratory belt conveyors are durable

The Vibratory Belt Conveyors from this company are durable bulk processing-equipment conveyance systems for moving products. These vibratory belt conveyors are highly customizable depending on the user’s manufacturing needs. Available in various lengths, the units can be tandem-mounted in series for longer lengths as needed. Design features include safety side panels/guards; two counter-rotating motors (230/460 V, 3 phase, 60 Hz); UL controls available; can have up to four vibratory tables; and tubular trough construction. — Best Process Solutions, Inc., Brunswick, Ohio

www.bpsvibes.com

 

Martin Engineering

A new conveyor belt-cleaner design, with cut-to-length

A new conveyor belt-cleaner has been designed with an innovative method of holding the urethane blade in place without the need to mill any slots for holding pins. Combining the benefits of previous designs into one product, the QC1+ Belt Cleaner (photo) can be cut to length to fit virtually any application, reducing the need for customers to stock multiple blade sizes to accommodate different belt widths. Operators simply trim the blade to the desired size from the stock 9-ft (2.74-m) length to match the material path, slide in the blade holders and lock them in position. The new blade can be retrofitted to virtually any of this company’s main frame and most competing designs. Five different urethane formulations are currently available for the QC1+. — Martin Engineering, Neponset, Ill.

www.martin-eng.com

 

 

 

Palamatic Process

Contained glove-box bag-dump station for hazardous materials

The SackTip SE bag dump station range (photo) is designed to fully contain hazardous dust for the feeding of powders and bulk solids into a manufacturing process. Design features include: infeed roller conveyor for bags and sacks; glove box for bag handling and opening operation; discharge hopper; integrated dust collection with jet pulse; and integrated sack compactor for waste volume reduction and containment of residuals. The sack tip trays can be manufactured in mild, 304 or 316 stainless steel with optional mirror polish on internals. The company can further design this equipment to meet strict ATEX and Class/Div. hazardous area requirements. — Palamatic Process Inc., Philadelphia, Pa.

www.palamaticprocess.com

 

 

 

Van Tongeren America

Classification system separates at dual cut points

A clever upgrade from classifiers limited to a single cut point, the Dual Classification System (photo) enables processors to separate feed materials into three different product streams instead of just two product streams to meet gradation specifications for multiple products and help convert material discarded as waste into saleable product. Devised for classifying cement, limestone, asphalt sand, filter sand and other aggregates, the Dual Classification System integrates the company’s Gravitational-Inertial Classifier (GIC) with its Centrifugal Classifier (CC) to separate the feed material at any cut point from 300 μm to 63 μm (50 to 230 mesh) during the initial pass, then at any cut point between 100 μm to 15 μm (950 to 150 mesh), all with a uniform distribution. The Dual Classification System is custom-designed and manufactured for each installation to meet target production goals and material specifications. The system is proven to perform continuously in unattended, continuous operation. — Van Tongeren America, LLC, Lebanon, Pa.

www.van-tongeren.com

 

Outotec

A modular system for fine grinding

The HIGmill Plant (HMP; photo) is a standalone fine-grinding solution that consists of a HIGmill unit and pre-engineered auxiliary equipment modules. This approach reduces engineering, delivery, construction and commissioning time and cost while still providing a safe solution with the flexibility to meet various process, layout and regulatory requirements. The system offers a space-efficient footprint with flexible modules that can be arranged according to plant layout. Other benefits include: optimized delivery lead time and site construction planning; dedicated switch room control; optional media-handling system guarantees easy shutdown and improved safety; and shipped pre-assembled for superior quality, minimum fabrication risk, and lower construction costs, says the company. — Outotec Oy, Espoo, Finland

www.outotec.com

 

 

Eriez Manufacturing

This new vibratory feeder handles heavy applications

The 76 Series Vibratory Feeder (photo) — the largest model in this company’s line up of vibratory feeders — supports trays up to approximately 200 lb, and is offered in most common voltages. In designing this powerful and unique feeder, the company filled a void in the marketplace by providing a feeding solution for applications where trays are often too heavy for smaller models and using multiple drives is not practical. Large bucket elevators require high-capacity feeders with long tray overhangs to reach the in-feed section of the elevators, making the 76 Series Vibratory Feeder an ideal choice. With its ability to easily handle larger trays with multiple features such as screens, covers, inlet spouts and downspouts with a single compact drive unit required by bulk bag dischargers, the system is also well suited for bulk bag unloading. — Eriez Manufacturing Co., Erie, Pa.

www.eriez.com

Gericke USA

A new discharge station for big bags

The Big Bag Unloader (BBU; photo) enables food, chemical, pharmaceutical and other powder processors to safely discharge materials from bulk bags into hoppers, feeders, reactors, sending vessels, conveyors and to other stages in the process. Developed to promote consistent product flow and reduce material waste in a safe work environment, the BBU features a proprietary, twin-ring, dust-tight docking station that creates a sealed, dust-free connection linking the bag bottom to the process. With a single worker managing the operation, the bulk-material-transfer system virtually eliminates ambient combustible dust, along with its inherent safety risks, says the manufacturer. The bulk-bag discharge station offers a wide range of process interfaces, flowability equipment, dust containment systems and loading infrastructures in a choice of mild or stainless steel as standard. — Gericke USA, Inc., Somerset, N.J.

www.gerickegroup.com

 

Belzona

A new innovation in abrasion resistance

This company has released a new material that is aimed at making light work of big areas. The product Belzona 1814 has been formulated to resist the harshest abrasive environments typically found in the mining, cement, pulp-and-paper, biomass and other industries. This epoxy-based material can be applied with a brush (photo) or a float to protect assets by preventing metal loss and subsequent downtime, either on its own or as part of a system with alumina tiles. Supplied in 30-kg units, compatible with mechanical mixers and boasting a long working life, Belzona 1814 is most suited for application to large assets, including chutes, hoppers and screw conveyors. — Belzona, Inc., Miami, Fla.

www.belzona.com

The Air Nozzle People

Compact air conveyors with no moving parts

Air Conveyors, also known as air hopper fillers, are a convenient way of moving powdered or granulated products around a factory, and a new range of these types of products has been introduced by this company (photo). These compact conveyors offer important advantages over conventional conveyors, such as no moving parts, high reliability and easily controllable flow. The conveyors work by converting a compressed-air stream into a strong moving air current with a partial vacuum at one end and a positive air flow at the other. This allows light product to be moved through a tube system with no moving parts and no external power source other than the compressed air feed line. They are available in a range of materials including hygienic 316 stainless steel for food-grade applications and in several different sizes to fit pipework from 3/8 up to 5 in. Also, an XS-PC option is available as a clog resistant conveyor, which is suitable for moving materials that may be prone to clogging conventional conveyors. — The Air Nozzle People, Newark, Notts, U.K.

www.airnozzle.co.uk