Discharge and conveying of feed additives into storage silos

Processed powders: food additives

Animal feed

Our client is a specialist in additives for animal feed.

Objectives of the project: Modernize and automate production to quadruple output rates.

The new process needed to meet high containment requirements via the bulk bag and sack discharging system with dilute phase pneumatic conveying at a rate of 6 tons/hour for loading several tanks downstream.

The Palamatic Process line includes a combined sack and bulk bag emptying station, the Duopal®, which allows the handling of bulk bags using an electrical hoist and easy access to the discharge spout. The sack loading hopper has a curved loading table that allows the operator ergonomic access to the unlacing cabinet for the bulk bag.

This combined station is connected to an industrial dust collection system that has been installed near the station.

The 6 tons/hr dilute phase pneumatic conveying system is used so the air/product mixture is done by means of a valve and a blower. The abrasive nature of some materials required that this equipment be manufactured with spaced and pressurized bearings, stator and cast-iron flanges with anti-abrasion chrome plating. The trilobal type booster is provided with a pressure valve to avoid pressure build-up in the pipe, often due to clogging of the line. The pipework is made of steel with the bends reinforced with concrete backs suitable for handling abrasive materials to avoid unnecessary maintenance. Switches are made by pinch valves equipped with cast iron flanges. The sleeves themselves are made of natural anti-abrasion rubber.

Downstream of the pinch valves, Ni-Hard No. 2 cast iron washers funnel the material to accommodate the nominal diameter of the pipes.

The air/product separation is provided by means of a single dust collection line. The particulate fines can be recovered by means of air jet nozzles mounted on each of the filter housings, while also used as a vent line.

Results:

The Duopal® combined bag and bulk bag unloading station has saved substantial space while providing the loading of a large variety of raw materials.