United Kingdom -- In October 2003 Harold Wright became the recipient of the IMechE's Solids Handling Award for lifetime achievement in the field of storage, handling, transportation and physical processing of bulk and powdered materials.  This Award, which also includes a prize of £250.00, is sponsored by Ajax Equipment Ltd and was presented by the company's Managing Director Lyn Bates.

Harold Wright began his career with ten years experience gained with Ashmore Benson Pease/Davy Ashmore, at the time one of the UK's largest plant design contractors. In 1966 he joined BISRA (British Iron & Steel Research Association) as a Senior Scientific Officer in the Raw Materials Handling Section of the newly formed Teesside Research Laboratories. 

He obtained his PhD from the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Bradford for work relating to the assessment of the bunker/silo design theories of Dr Andrew Jenike. Seventeen years were spent with BISRA/BSC as a specialist plant engineer solving problems in the areas of belt conveying, crushing, screening & test sieving, segregation, degradation, bunker/silo design and latterly as Head of the Materials Handling at the Teesside Laboratories. In 1983 he stepped into the world of consulting engineering.

Dr. Wright is the author of over 50 technical papers and 8 ISBN publications in the field of bulk handling and processing. He is an author of topics such as (i) Bunker Design, (ii) Flow Aids, (iii) Degradation & Segregation, (iv) Screening & Test Sieving Theory & Practice, (v) Coal Handling and (vi) Rules of Thumb in Bulk Handling.

Over the last 25 years Dr Wright has Chaired the IMechE's Bulk Materials Handling Committee on three separate occasions and is currently Vice Chairman of the IMechE's Process Industries Board. His database of flow properties extends to over 550 bulk solids and powders ranging from arsenic trioxide to zinc oxide and includes about 200 U.K. and overseas steam and coking coals and a range of biomass materials.

In June 2003, Dr Wright produced the 1st Draft of BS 8439 "Continuous handling equipment and systems - Guide to properties of powders and bulk materials".

Source:  www.drhwright.com

Malvern, UK -- Malvern Instruments, the world leader in particle characterization, has acquired Bohlin Instruments Ltd, a major developer and manufacturer of rheology measurement systems. The acquisition was completed on 31st October 2003. Bohlin’s managing director Richard Hall has joined the Malvern Instruments’ board and will lead the company’s rheology team.

“Bohlin Instruments has established a very successful business with its excellent technology and a well-proven product range.” said Paul Walker, managing director of Malvern Instruments. "Now, with the additional investment potential, highly regarded customer support capabilities and global reach that Malvern Instruments can bring to bear, we look forward to expanding and developing Bohlin’s position in the rheology market world-wide.”

Richard Hall, managing director of Bohlin Instruments commented: “We are delighted to become part of a company of the calibre of Malvern Instruments. Rheology is a growth market and its accurate measurement and control is essential in a wide range of industries. It is also critical to the development of new products. A clear overlap is emerging between our applications and those of Malvern’s particle characterization technologies. This is especially the case in the exciting areas of dispersion technology and colloid science.”

Malvern Instruments has its origins and headquarters in Malvern, UK. The company currently employ around 300 people. A global sales and service network includes subsidiary companies in North America and several major European countries as well as key partnerships in China and Japan. In addition, more than 50 local distribution partners ensure that Malvern products are installed in most countries of the world. Malvern Instruments is part of Spectris plc the precision instrumentation and controls company.

Source:  http://www.malvern.co.uk/

Hingham, MA, -PIAB Vacuum Conveyors, manufacturer of industrial vacuum conveyors and components, offers its C-33 vacuum conveyor, with a virtually dust-free filter, as an ideal solution for coffee bean applications.

The unique construction of the C-33 conveyor eliminates dust while its gentle handling method prevents cracking of the kernel, thus preserving the integrity of the coffee bean. PIAB's C-33 conveyor is equipped with a hygienic filter that can trap particles down to 0.3 microns.

Powered by the company's highly acclaimed pneumatically driven vacuum pumps, the C-33 conveyor can safely and quietly transport up to 10-15 tons/hour of coffee beans. A flexible, modular design makes the C-33 easy to dismantle and clean and improves the vacuum-assisted flow by 25% without affecting energy consumption.

PIAB's vacuum conveyors are made of stainless steel AISI 316L, making them extremely durable. To meet the strict regulations of the food industry, PIAB's C-33 conveyor has been examined and accepted by the USDA and complies with the 3A standard.

About PIAB

PIAB Vacuum Conveyors is a global leader in developing innovative vacuum technology for use in automated material handling and factory automation processes. PIAB provides innovative solutions designed to help improve productivity and efficiency in manufacturing processes around the world.

For more information contact:
PIAB USA, Inc.
65 Sharp Street
Hingham, MA 02043
Toll Free:  800-321-7422
Web site:  http://www.piab.com/

NAPLES, FL. -- The Conveyor Equipment Manufacturers Association reported that its August 2003 Booked Orders Index was 113 down 1 point or a decrease of 1% from July 2003's Index of 114 (1990=100).

The August 2003 Index represents a decrease of 10% from the August 2002 Index of 125.

August Booked Orders Indexes were 116 for Bulk Handling Equipment* and 107 for Unit Handling Equipment*(1990=100).

The Twelve-Month Index for Booked Orders was 133 in August. Index represents a decrease of 1% from July 2003's Twelve-Month Index of 134.

The CEMA Billed Sales (shipments) Index was 166 in August down 2 points or a decrease of 1% from the July Index of 168. The August 2003 Index represents an increase of 3% from the August 2002 Index of 161.

August Billed Sales Indexes were 118 for Bulk Handling Equipment* and 152 for Unit Handling Equipment*(1990=100).

The Twelve-Month Index for Billed Sales was 168 in August. Index represents no change from July 2003's Twelve-Month Index of 168.

Source:  http://www.cemanet.org/

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

Dr. Bhave wants to know more screw feeders:

I need a screw feeder to meter and inject a fuel (eg. sawdust, groundnut shell, rice husk) into the bed of a fluidized bed gasifier, without leakage of the hot reactor gases through the screw feeder into the hopper.

To avoid using a rotary valve, I am considering using a screw feeder with a reduced pitch over a short distance where the fuel will be compressed inside the screw and prevent leakage. I would request comments/suggestions from anyone regarding the feasibility of this method. (Click here to post a reply)

With regards,
Dr. A. G. Bhave
Sardar Patel Renewable Energy Research Institute
thermo@spreri.org

Mr. Casini needs help with flanges:

I work for an European company, actually we are conceiving a new electronic equipment to be used in dry bulk material handling pipework systems installed in food or plastic plants.

We would like to know if there is an USA standard flange for 3-inch; to 10-inch; pipe connection for gravity bulk powder transport systems (with a maximum differential pressure of 5 PSI). It would be good to find also some technical drawings of the connection flange.
 (Click here to post a reply)

Regards,
Gian Luca Casini
gcasini@ceia-spa.com

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

TOLLING SERVICES: Custom Micronizing Available
Custom Processing Services is a contract manufacturer/toll processor specializing in micronizing ultra-fine particle-sized materials for use in a wide range of products, including chemical powders, waxes, polymers, flame retardants, minerals, metals, fillers and pigments. Food-grade 21 CFR 110 processing is also available. Wet media milling by CPS can achieve particle sizes in the nanometer range. Blending, coating and compounding services, plus custom packaging, allow CPS to ship materials processed to customer specifications anywhere in the world from their Southeastern Pennsylvania facility.

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Regional Sales Manager Wanted

Since 1925, The Associated Prater Companies (TAPC) has been known in the powder and bulk solids industry as the premier provider of material processing equipment. We are a manufacturer of components and systems that enable our customers to grind, sift, and meter products in a wide variety of food, chemical, and mineral applications throughout the world. Our product offering includes PLC based solutions for batch, micro ingredient handling systems, and complete processing automation.

We have an opening for a Regional Sales Manager to be based out of our new office in Chicagos western suburbs This person will work with manufacturers representatives to generate new business to both current and new customers in our North American market.  Responsibilities will also include the development of key accounts and coordination with the TAPC project team. This position requires 40-50% travel.

Qualifications/Requirements:
· Minimum 5+ years of RSM or Direct Sales experience
· Knowledge of the Powder/Bulk Solids and or Pneumatic Conveying Market
· Proven track record of exceeding aggressive sales quotas
· Successful track record penetrating new accounts and markets
· Strong strategic selling skills
· Goal oriented, high energy with strong values
· Strong communication skills
· Strong prospecting and negotiations skills
· Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills
· Frequent travel within assigned territory
· Bachelors degree required

We offer a competitive salary and benefits plan, which includes vacation, 401K, medical and dental insurance. Please forward your resume with salary history/ requirements to jturnbull@praterindustries.com

The Job Fair is a free service of Powder and Bulk Dot Com.  You can post job opening for managers, engineers, sales, reps or other talented people you need. ...Or one can post their resume for companies who are looking to add talented people to their staff.

Do you have a position you need to fill?  Visit the Job Fair.

© 1999-2003 Powder and Bulk Dot Com
Home page:  http://www.powderandbulk.com/

Joseph Taylor, Editor
Powder and Bulk Dot Com Newsletter
3948 South Third Street, No. 121
Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250

Phone: 904-280-4656
Fax: 904-273-1399

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

My personal congratulations to Dr. Harold Wright for his award.  Harold has been a contributor to our web site and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Our goal is to provide information to improve your business by using the resources available on the Internet.

Thanks,
Joe Taylor, Editor
jtaylor@powderandbulk.com

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Hardcover, April 1991

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Increasing Conveying Rates in Pneumatic Systems
Guest article by A. Tim Agarwal,
Pneumatic Conveying Consultants

Past Ask Joe! Archived Articles

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This week's homepage photo is of a Tecweigh flex-feed volumetric feeder discharge.  Tecweigh feeders are designed to accurately and dependably accommodate a wide variety of dry materials, from powders to pellets.

Photo courtesy of Mary Eisenreich of Tecnetics Industries, Inc.

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