In some applications a bulk powder, granular material and liquids may be combined to produced a thick slurry.  One example is the production of concrete, either in a batch plant, precast operation, block plant or other type of facility.  Depending on the angle of your discharge, the thickness of the slurry mix and the mixture ratios themselves, there may be a problem getting the mixture to flow readily. 

One example where this problem can occur is with the discharge of concrete mix from mix trucks.  Here's a quick look at one of my concrete trucks, it's a collectible die-cast of course.  The problem associated with bulk material flow, even concrete, is two things, the cohesive strength of the material and the friction between the material and the material of the vessel the material needs to flow down.  Check out the bulk solid material flow experts for more resources and information on flow properties.

The solution in most cases is using an industrial vibrator.  This is for very good reason.  For example, using our concrete truck illustration let's look at an installation of a turbine vibrator on the discharge chute.  In this case (shown in photo at top) the vibrator is quietly introducing several hundred pounds of force into the material through the wall of the chute to promote and maintain the concrete flow.  In this case the Turbine vibrator replaced a piston type vibrator because of the noise associated with piston vibrators.  The Turbine type is very quiet, well within OSHA guidelines.

Need help with a material flow problem?  Give me a call at 800-262-2106 or 815-224-1200.

Joe Lewis

Vibration technology has many uses.  Most often an industrial vibrator is used to promote the flow of powder and bulk materials from bins, silos and other types of vessels (see video).  One other use is in the design and manufacture of vibrating tables for compacting material.

A vibrating table will be custom sized for the intended application.  For example, the picture shown here illustrates the use of an electric eccentric vibrator within a vibrating table that is used to compact the soil-fertilizer-etc. mixture within the box of a tree being prepared for shipment to a jobsite by the tree manufacturer/nursery.  In this application the vibration compacts the soil tightly around the tree helping to secure it in place for transport and to ensure the proper mixture of soil and fertilizer within the box.

In this application there was a significant savings of labor costs.  The trees are packed and compacted far more quickly than before, and the quality of the compaction has improved as well.

If you'd like more information about this type of application or about the use of industrial vibration technology to promote material flow from bins and silos, give Cougar Industries a call at 800-262-2106 or 815-224-1200. 

Email at cougar@cougarindustries.com and visit us on the web at www.cougarindustries.com.