Tank Connection acquires Starvrac Unloaders

Parsons, KS -- The Tank Connection Affiliate Group announced today the acquisition of Starvrac, a French company located in Nimes, France. Starvrac specializes in bottom reclaim unloaders that are commonly used in bulk material storage/discharge applications.

“The reclaim unloader will be marketed under the name of Action Unloaders™,” according to AU president John Farris. “Starvrac silo reclaimers are considered a world class performance unloader. This is why the TC Affiliate Group has aggressively pursued this acquisition. The company touts over 4500 unloaders worldwide and in checking with their clients, the performance of the unloader is rated second to none in the industry.”

“Action Unloaders utilizing Starvrac technology is a perfect fit for the TC Affiliate Group product line. The unloader is designed to be integrated with silos we manufacture, as well as concrete silos and domes,” Farris continued.

Tank Connection is the only tank manufacturer worldwide that designs and manufactures all four types of steel storage systems including bolted RTP, field-weld, shop-weld and hybrid tank designs. Typical applications for the unloader include the storage of minerals, aggregates, DDG, meal storage, dry powders, wood chips and granular materials.

The newly named, Action Unloaders™ will maintain offices in Nimes, France; Parsons, KS; and Grove, OK. International rep offices exist worldwide.

More information on Starvrac technology is available at their website www.starvrac.com.  Customer inquiries should be directed to sales@actionunloaders.com

Source: Tank Connection, Inc.

Taiwan Power orders two Screw Ship Unloaders

Bjuv, Sweden -- Two Siwertell screw unloaders each designed to discharge coal at 2,200t/h were favored over traditional bucket unloaders for a Taiwanese power station. The MacGregor Group’s Bulk Handling division has won a contract to supply two VST940 Siwertell ship unloaders to the Taiwan Power Company.

“This is a significant order for MacGregor,” said Per Karlsson, Managing Director, “It was an international bid and the contract was awarded to us in a hard-won competition. Our system was favored over a more traditional bucket chain unloader and a bucket wheel unloader. The client made an evaluation of operational and maintenance costs, as well as the unit price. When all the figures were summarized, MacGregor offered the lowest total price.”

The Siwertell screw unloading system is totally enclosed, making it an environmentally-friendly option. It also has a high unloading efficiency and low maintenance and operational costs. The new Siwertell units are designed to discharge coal at a rated capacity of 2,200t/h and are scheduled to be in operation at the end of 2009. The vessels that they will unload will be in the range of 80,000 dwt to 150,000 dwt.

The unloaders’ steel structures will be manufactured in Taiwan, with the remaining sections delivered from Sweden. They will be installed on a turnkey basis at Ta-Lin Power Station in Taiwan. This contract follows an order received two years ago for another two coal unloaders for Hsinta Power Station, which is also owned by the Taiwan Power Company.

For more information visit: http://www.macgregor-group.com/

Pharmaceuticals : New UV Tunnel Kills Pathogens

North Tonawanda, NY -- Independent testing of Vigilair® Systems' new UVGI packaging disinfection tunnel demonstrates a 7 log inactivation of key microorganisms. The seven log inactivation was achieved on the following pathogens: Enterobacter sakazakii, Enterobacter cloacae, Salmonella typhimurium and Listeria monocytogenes.

The microorganisms were used because they are particularly problematic for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical manufacturers. Vigilair tunnels combine Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI), ionization, reflective materials and advanced control electronics to provide a predictable inactivation rate on target organisms.

Testing and validation was performed in collaboration with ZeptoMetrix Corporation, an ISO 9001:2000 and 13485:2003 certified company. In addition, Zeptometrix holds a Select Agent Permit issued by the USDA and the CDC.

Vigilair UVGI disinfection tunnels are integrated into new or existing packaging conveyor lines and are validated in the field. Many Vigilair UVGI Tunnels are used to disinfect packaging such as cans and can ends.

Vigilair Systems is the industry leader in the use of evidence based for UV surface and air disinfection. Based in New York State, Vigilair major market segments are nutraceutical manufacturing, healthcare and bio-defense. Vigilair serves clients in Asia, Canada, Mexico and the United States.

For more information contact:
Mr. Joel Dombrowski
Vigilair Systems, Inc.
4097 Beach Ridge Road
North Tonawanda, NY 14120
Telephone: 888-401-8770
Web site: http://www.vigilairsystems.com/

High Speed Recipe Batching System for Foods

Cincinnati, OH -- Ingredient Masters, Inc., a manufacturer of precision batching equipment for dry ingredients, has introduced a system that simultaneously processes up to 20 batches per hour, each with up to 24 components. The system is well-suited to a broad range of food processing requirements, as well as many industrial applications.

The Ingredient Masters system is engineered for recipe sizes of 10 to 200 lbs. each, and maintains ingredient accuracy of +.02 lbs. per ingredient with the use of screw (spiral-type) feeders. Systems engineered to handle very high ingredient volumes, or very large batches, can be specified for auto valve release. The transfer conveyor can be scaled for gain-in-weight, (which provides slightly higher accuracy) or loss-in-weight, (which is faster) at customer option.

The batching systems are customized to the application, and can often be engineered to incorporate existing powder handling devices. They use as few as four, and as many as 30 dispensers, which are each 28 to 105 cu. ft. in capacity. Dispensers are rotationally molded polyethylene, for best-possible material flow, and are USDA, 3A, FDA and EPA approved. They are also exceptionally durable, and, unlike conventional dispensers, remain "sweat-free" when temperatures fluctuate.

Like other Ingredient Masters equipment, this batching system will flow virtually all powdered, flaked and granular ingredients - even compacted or hygroscopic ingredients - without the addition of a Bulk Bag Conditioner or other "helper" device.

System operation is controlled via an Allen Bradley PLC and a PC. Software is typically Allen-Bradley RSLogic 5000 for the PLC logic and RSView for operator graphics. A Microsoft Access database stores recipe and ingredient information, and records batch data.

Recipe storage is virtually unlimited and each recipe is date-stamped with the most recent revision or approval. A master list of ingredients, including operating parameters for each, is maintained in the database. The system maintains a deductive inventory for each dispensing hopper and tracks ingredient lot numbers for archiving in the batch data.

For more information, contact:
Ingredient Masters
Telephone: 513-231-7432
Web site: http://www.ingredientmasters.com/

I

Remove Blockages from Silos Safely The Prima Whip offers a safe and fast solution to maintaining clean and continuous operating conditions in silos.

Metal Powders Producer Expands Production
A recent increase in capacity required an additional L-size Turbo-Dryer® to heat-treat a fine (70 micron) metal oxide powder.

"Combi-Pact" Impact Saddle stops Conveyor Damage Installed in arrays, the Combi-Pact® Saddle can replace impact beds or cradles of many feet in length.

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Paul needs help conveying and mixing pharma powder:

At the moment we are dissolving 850Kg bags of Maltodextrin into hot purified water. This is done by recycling hot purified water around an inline mixer (venturi valve), which produces a vortex and pulls the powder into the hot water.

We want to move away from adding in the 850Kg bags and want to design some sort of bulk feed system where its possible to transfer large volumes of Maltodextrin into a silo. With it being pharmaceutical grade there are lots of quality restraints.

Does anyone know a clean way of transferring a tanker full of Maltodextrin powder (40tonnes) into a silo? I presume its done by some sort of pneumatic action, with the air being filtered first?

Tech data:
Bulk density = 500 g/l
Granulometry = >0.4mm (2%) <0.063 mm (18%)

Any info appreciated. (to post reply, click here)

Thanks,
Paul
foeyp@yahoo.co.uk

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Project Engineer - Houston, Texas

This is a direct hire position with a leading industrial equipment firm in Houston.  Our client is seeking an individual with 3+ years experience in the dry bulk solids industry to work with clients on capital equipment projects.

Responsibilities include:
Oversight of projects from inception to start-up
Preparation of technical specs
Working with external suppliers
Interaction between client and management on project status
Project meetings and onsite field assessments

This position will require 10%-15% travel in Mexico and Europe.

Requirements:
BSME or related engineering degree
3+ years experience in the bulk solids industry

Resumes should be submitted to:
Mr. Mike Coulter
Director of Recruiting
Allied Resources
Email: mcoulter@alliedresourcesstaffing.com 
Web site: http://www.alliedresourcesstaffing.com/

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This week's photo is of a Kovako pneumatic unloader suction arm, offloading bulk materials from a 40,000 dwt ship. The unloaded material is discharged pneumatically through a conveying pipeline all the way to the storage facility.

Photo courtesy of FL Smidth.

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