Chemical Engineering January 2018 - 15

Focus
Bulk-Solids Handling
Hoppers promote effective
flow of challenging materials
The Live Bin product line (photo) includes
fully assembled and self-contained
vibrating hoppers that are designed
to promote the reliable flow of
any dry material. Available capacities
range from 3 to 100 ft3 of bulk-solids
storage. These bins can handle
a diverse array of bulk solids, ranging
from micron-sized particles to
fibrous and flaky materials, and they
discharge the contents on a " first-in/
first-out " basis, ensuring mass flow
and eliminating material segregation
during operation, says the company.
They can be used to discharge to
any feeder or process line, or wherever
a surge bin is required. Its design
does not require a flexible seal,
so it is especially suitable for sanitary
applications, according to the
manufacturer. - Vibra Screw, Inc.,
Totowa, N.J.
www.vibrascrew.com
Pneumatic control system
ensures reliable discharging
The patented LAS-EC Big Bag
Connection System (photo) provides
an easy, ergonomic and safe
way to discharge powders from Big
Bags. Its patented pneumatic control
system is simple to operate and
has only three buttons - for connecting,
sealing and disconnecting
bags to the unit. During operation,
the Big Bag is positioned and connected
and its inner liner is fixed with
the pneumatic sealing device. After
the Big Bag is discharged, the bag
is closed and the containment system
is closed. - Hecht Technologie
GmbH, Pfaffenhofen, Germany
www.hecht.eu
Heavy-duty chute diverter is
undaunted by abrasive solids
The Pivoting Chute Diverter (photo),
which is part of this company's Titan
Series product line, is suitable for
use with applications that
involve
the handling of materials that pose
excessive abrasion and wear issues
(such as alumina, bauxite, cement,
clinker, coal, flyash, gravel, rock and
many more). It is also appropriate for
use in applications that call for extremely
large valves or diverters, situations
that require a valve to function
reliably under especially harsh
conditions, and other specialized
heavy-duty applications. The body
is constructed from carbon steel and
the wetted parts are lined with one of
many choices of abrasion-resistant
metal. Its independent, internal pivoting
chute is designed to improve
processing speeds and provide a
valve with longevity when operating
in particularly wearing environments,
says the manufacturer. Inspection,
maintenance and repairs can be
quickly and easily performed while
the diverter remains inline, thanks to
an access panel on the front of the
diverter. It is available in either a twoway
or three-way configuration. -
Vortex, Salina, Kan.
www.vortexglobal.com
Dump station eliminates dust
escape when handling solids
The Flexicon Bag Dump Station
(photo) with NEMA 7/9 explosionproof
electrical system is designed
to contain dust emitted from manual
dumping stations, and help operators
handle the empty bags (by compacting
and consolidating them) and
convey the materials to an elevated
destination. Bags are staged on the
tray and transferred into a hooded
glove box and onto a grate, which
supports the grate and prevents
unintended operator contact with
moving parts. The hood has a polycarbonate
skylight that illuminates
the interior of the enclosure for improved
bag slitting, dumping and
disposal. A bag infeed chute through
the sidewall of the glove box permits
the operator to pass empty bags directly
into the integral bag compactor,
helping any dust to be directed
into the system's two filter cartridges.
Useable product that builds
up on the filter surfaces is periodically
returned to the hopper, using
timer-activated solenoid valves to
release short blasts of compressed
air inside the cartridges. The hopper
Note: For more information, circle the 3-digit number on p. 62, or use the website designation.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING WWW.CHEMENGONLINE.COM
JANUARY 2018
Vibra Screw
Hecht Technologie
Vortex
Flexicon
15

http://www.vortexglobal.com http://www.vibrascrew.com http://www.hecht.eu http://WWW.CHEMENGONLINE.COM

Chemical Engineering January 2018

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Chemical Engineering January 2018