Learn More : "Better Belt Conveying" Seminar

London, UK -- Handling problems when conveying bulk and powdered materials are still evident but can be reduced by adhering to good design principles. This will always improve operational efficiency. This seminar will address the introduction of new British Standards, methods of feeding, carrying and discharging materials, conveyor plant safety, reliability, operation and successful plant upgrading.

Presentations include

"Know Your Material"
by Lyn Bates, Managing Director, Ajax Equipment Ltd
The behavior of bulk solids takes a multitude of forms and many types of operating difficulty can arise if the all the various attributes of the material are not taken into proper account. A thorough understanding of the inter-relationship between the quantitative and qualitative factors of significance of the product, equipment, environment and operation is needed in order to establish an optimum design for solids handling equipment to give efficient and trouble free performance.

"Conveyor Belt Properties and the Relevance of Current Standardization Work"
by Brian Rothery, Head of Development and Quality Assurance, Fenner PLC
The paper will examine the need for conveyor belts to have the required blend of mechanical and safety properties. Recent developments in standardization will be discussed including the work behind the introduction of BS EN 12882 and its relevance to the Machinery Directive. Details of other ongoing work within the CEN and ISO conveyor belting committees will also be presented.

Other presentations include:
- "Innovations in Variable Speed Conveyor Control"
- "Opportunities for Improved Conveying"
- "Spillage Prevention"
- "Asset Management of Large Coal Conveying Plant"
- "Conveying the Safety Message"
- "Unique Applications of Troughed Belt Conveyors"

For more information about the seminar or to register contact:
Mr. Martin Pratt
Institution of Mechanical Engineers
1 Birdcage Walk, Westminster
London SW1H 9JJ
UK
Tel: 020 7973 1261
Fax: 020 7222 9881
Email: m_pratt@imeche.org.uk
Web: http://www.imeche.org.uk/conferencesandevents/belt

New : Laboratory, Ultra-Fine Classifier

Exton, PA -- Netzsch's existing wide range of sizes and machine designs of the CFS/HD-S high-performance-ultra-fine classifiers has recently been completed by a new laboratory machine.

Excellent selectivity and a very exact guiding of the product are the essential characteristics of this air classifier. The classifying results of these machines show a high degree of efficiency. This is achieved in particular by a very high dispersing effect (HD = High Dispersion) before the product is separated via the classifier wheel. A further reason for these excellent classifying results achieved by this series of classifiers is the geometry of the classifying wheel itself. Constant further development of the machine details have been a major contribution to the success of this ultra-fine classifier.

The ultra-fine classifier of type CFS 5 HD-S with a gas flow volume of 50 m3 h-1 is the smallest machine of this series and guarantees optimal classifying results on a laboratory scale. Low volume and/or high quality materials can be classified on this new laboratory-size mill. The easy-access and consequently easy-cleaning of the machine is ensured by a housing door which is easy to dismantle and also by the removable guide vane basket.

The classifying plant can be completed with a dosing device, cyclone, filter, blower and switching cabinet and mounted together and completely installed on a base frame and then delivered to the customer. There is also the option that this plant can be delivered with a fluidized bed-jet mill for a flexible laboratory operation. The CGS 10 fluidized bed-jet mill can then be mounted on the same base frame next to the laboratory-size ultra-fine classifier and can be used when required.

Further information can be found directly from:
NETZSCH Incorporated
119 Pickering Way
Exton, PA 19431
Phone: 610-363-8010
Fax: 610-363-0971
E-mail: netzsch@netzschusa.com
www.netzschusa.com

Ports : Need to Upgrade for API Charging?

Liverpool, UK -- Given the trend forever increasing potency of pharmaceutical powders, project engineers are continually faced with the challenge of upgrading the containment of charging to an existing vessel. Multifunctional PSL ChargePoint enables contained charging, sight glass & CIP.

For many years the PSL ChargePoint has been widely used in the pharmaceutical industry for charging APIs (active potent ingredients) into reactor vessels in a contained manner, achieving OELs of less than 1 mg/m3 TWA 8 hours, 1 hour operation.

When containing solids transfer to existing plant equipment, you can often be faced with upgrading a reactor with no free nozzles available.

A highly efficient resolution is to use the existing sight glass nozzle on the reactor and replace with a PSL ChargePoint Active – enabling multifunctional capabilities. The PSL ChargePoint can then be used for contained charging from bags or bottles, or to view inside the reactor using the novel PSL ChargePoint Sight Glass attachment. The sight glass mimics the ChargePoint passive, maintaining containment whilst providing a wide area for safe viewing into the reactor. The sight glass adapter can be used from full vacuum up to 6 BarG pressure in both open and closed positions.

PSL can supply a range of accessories including CIP systems for both the ChargePoint and the reactor itself. This maximizes the use and efficiency of often limited nozzles, providing multi functionality for a single nozzle.

For more information contact:
Powder Systems Limited
Estuary Business Park
Liverpool L24 8RG
UK
Tel: +44 (0)151 448 7700
Fax: +44 (0)151 448 7702
Web: www.powdersystems.com

DOWNERS GROVE, IL -- New Flexco® R9S, now the biggest size available in the Flexco SR™ Scalloped-Edge™ rivet-hinged conveyor belt fastener system, features a high-strength 8-rivet attachment, greater reach back, thicker plates and larger hinge pins for longer life on higher-tension belts with mechanical fastener ratings up to 2000 PIW (350 kN/m).

Developed for heavily loaded mainline and panel belts in underground and surface mining, the new R9S fasteners are stamped from 300 Series stainless steel 0.135" (3.5mm) thick, and accommodate belt thickness ranging from 5/8 to 1" (16mm to 25.5mm), running on conveyors with end-pulley minimum diameters of 42" (1050mm).

The R9S fastener grips the belt end between top and bottom plates, approximately 1Ѕ " (38mm) wide and joined at one end by two wide hinge loops sized to accept hinge pins 5/8 " or ѕ " (16mm or 19mm) in diameter, depending on belt thickness. Flexco's patented Scalloped Edge design, featuring leading/trailing edges formed into a concave, scalloped shape with more-prominent edge coining (beveling), allows the fastener plate ends to embed deeper into the belt cover with less effort, minimizing splice height. This helps produce a lower profile splice that passes more smoothly under belt cleaners and skirtboards.

A view port in each fastener top plate lets the installer see when the belt end is properly butted against a belt stop formed into the fastener's bottom plate, for accurate, uniform positioning across the squared belt end, producing a straighter splice that promotes a truer-tracking belt.

For more information, contact:
Flexco
2525 Wisconsin Ave.
Downers Grove, Illinois, 60515-4200
Phone (630) 971-0150
Fax (630) 971-1180
Website:  www.flexco.com

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Dustless Loading Spout for Bulk Materials PEBCO’s Dustless Loading Spout is used for loading bulk material into trucks, railcars, barges and ships, as well as for discharging material onto stockpiles.

New Custom "On Demand" Digital Manuals
With each conveying system Premier Pneumatics supplies, they are now including a new digital manual.

Free Downloadable Protein Characterization Brochure A new freely downloadable brochure available on the Malvern Instruments website provides extensive information on the many applications of the company’s Zetasizer Nano system.

More headline news...

People post their requests for help and offer their suggestions to others in our open forum.

Mr. Meyer's problem is PE powder agglomerating in silo:

I am lost! During a recent up-rating exercise, a conveying route change was made.

Before up-rating the plant, polymer powder at about 65 deg C was pneumatically conveyed in lean phase air at around 45 deg C to a 25 ton "purge" silo. This silo was maintained at about 15 tons, by a constant in-and-out feed. Residence time in this "purge" silo was around 1 hr. From the "purge" silo, the polymer was conveyed to one of a number of 100 ton storage silos. From the storage silos the polymer was conveyed for further processing.

During the up-rating, the route via the "purge" silo was removed, and the polymer was subsequently conveyed directly to the storage silos. The outlets of these storage silos were increased from 10" to 14", and the conveying capacity also increased.

Now the problem! Since the up-rating, the polymer powder tends to agglomerate in the storage silos. The storage silo has fluidizing /purging air entering through distribution nozzles located at the bottom of the silo. However, it appears as if the agglomerates are worse when this air is open. A theory is that this purge air cools the polymer too rapidly, causing the agglomerates to form.

Has any reader experience with this problem, or is the question better directed to a polymer scientist?  (to post reply, click here)

Thanks,
Dave Meyers
Sasol
dave.meyers@sasol.com

Mr. Grigore wants compare rotary vs. fluid bed drying:

Any idea about the heat consumption (BTU required to evaporate a pound of water) of a fluid bed dryer vs. a rotary dryer? (to post reply, click here)

Thanks,
Gruia Grigore,
Sotecma Inc.
ggrigore@sotecma.com

Click here to share your expertise with others in our Help Forum.

Manufacturers Representative Wanted - Nationwide

The R.T. Kuntz Company is looking for experienced manufacturers representatives who specialize in the plastics industry. We are looking for reps who understand resin conveying systems and material handling systems, and who possess at least 5 years of industry experience with the following:

* Pneumatic Conveying Equipment
* Scrap Reclaim Systems
* Material Storage
* Weigh Scale Blenders
* PLC Control Panels
* Scrap Conveying

Please contact Scott Thompson for more information. To learn more about The R.T. Kuntz Company, visit us online at www.rtkuntz.com , or call 1-800-237-2120.

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Home page:  http://www.powderandbulk.com/

Joseph Taylor, Editor
Powder and Bulk Dot Com Newsletter
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Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250

Phone: 904-280-4656
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Email:  jtaylor@powderandbulk.com

Powder and Bulk Dot Com's Newsletter is a 100% opt-in e-mail list of information for the materials handling professional.  Do you have company news, a new product, new service or other information you would like to share with our subscribers?  Please submit articles via e-mail, only to: news@powderandbulk.com

School is out here in Florida, hope you are doing well and have a nice vacation planned for your family.  Learn something new this summer, visit our bookstore for your summer reading program.  We have books on conveying and processing, plus more!  Just what "the doctor" ordered for the summer.  Read on!

With over 5,400+ subscribers, our goal is to provide information to improve your business by using the resources available on the Internet.

Happy New Year,
Joe Taylor, Editor
jtaylor@powderandbulk.com

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Pneumatic Conveying Design Guide
by David, Ph.D. Mills
Hardcover, 650 pages, December 2003

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Agglomeration Processes : Phenomena, Technologies, Equipment
by Wolfgang Pietsch
Hardcover: 622 pages, March 2002

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Dust Explosions in the Process Industries
by Rolf K. Eckhoff
Paperback, 643 pages, June 2003

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Find more books for the materials handling professional online, visit our Reading Room.

What is an Iris Valve?
Guest article by Kevin Peterson of Salina Vortex

Past Ask Joe! Archived Articles

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For more information, please contact Joe Marinelli.

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This weeks photo is a reminder that handling problems conveying bulk and powdered materials can be reduced by adhering to good design principles. The "Better Belt Conveying" seminar will address methods for successful plant operation.

Photo courtesy of Martin Pratt of Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

Send us your photos:  We would love to have your photo of a bulk materials process, packaging, conveying or handling "action shot" for our home page.  Send your photograph and description to: news@powderandbulk.com