Reliable smart meter
Switzerland. K-Tron’s Smart Flow Meter (SFM) is suitable for process applications that need reliable metering, registering or monitoring of bulk material flows. Models available include the K-SFM-275-A and K-SFM-350.
There are no moving parts, bulk material flows through two force sensor stations that have no mechanical effect on the material. In operation, bulk material flows under gravity into an upper measuring channel, utilising an inclined chute mounted on a force transducer which measures the force acting perpendicularly on it. Material then flows into a lower, vertical channel which determines velocity or acceleration rate. Based on the signals from these two sensors the flow rate is determined per unit of time.
Material can consist of granules, chips or fibres, including plastics, chemicals, animal feedstuffs, cement, coal, glass, aluminum, grain, etc with good flow characteristics. Because of the absence of moving parts, bulk materials are handled gently.
Applications include material flow control within a production line, measuring, filling or discharging quantities, materials management, and quantitative bulk goods measurement. Its low headroom means that it is a cost-effective solution for in-line weighing applications.
www.ktron.com/SFM
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08:47 15/12/2009
Tip-Tite drum dumper
UK. Flexicon (Europe) Ltd has extended its range of drum dumpers, adding a new unit that seals drums against a discharge cone, tips the drum, mates the cone against a gasketted connection and discharges bulk material dust-free through a slide gate valve.
Trademarked as TIP-TITE™, the dumper accommodates drums from 115 to 210L. The drum platform is raised by a single hydraulic cylinder, creating a dust-tight seal between drum rim and the underside of the discharge cone. A second hydraulic cylinder tips the platform-hood assembly and drum, stopping at dump angles of 45, 60 or 90 degrees with a motion-dampening feature.
The vertically oriented cone mates with a gasketted inlet port fitted to the lid of an optional hopper with integral flexible screw conveyor or pneumatic pick-up adapter to existing process equipment. A pneumatically actuated slide gate valve prevents material flow until the discharge cone has been properly seated in the gasketted receiving ring.
The drum dumper is available in mild steel with durable industrial finishes, with material contact surfaces of stainless steel or stainless steel finished to food, dairy, pharmaceutical or industrial standards.
www.flexicon.co.uk
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16:07 01/09/2009
Converting moist solids into dry granules
USA. The latest addition to Kason’s range is described as a granulising-drying system able to convert non-flowing moist solids discharged from cartridge and vacuum filters, filter presses, mixers, etc into uniform, compact, dry, de-dusted, free-flowing granules ready for storage, shipping, packaging or secondary processing. It incorporates a centrifugal screener, spheroidiser, circular fluid bed dryer and vibratory screener.
Kason’s CENTRI-SIFTER® centrifugal screener uses rotating helical paddles to break-up lumps and drive non-flowing materials through apertures in a horizontal cylinder, continuously producing moist pellets at high rates. The unit handles smooth, lumpy, sticky and otherwise difficult-to-handle materials and is claimed to be more productive, compact and economical than screw-type extruders.
Moist pellets are subsequently discharged into a patented Kason Spheroidiser that utilises vibratory energy to produce high strength, uniform, spherical particles, with size, uniformity and density of the finished product varied by adjusting vibration amplitude and frequency and the number and slope of agglomerating cones. Binder powder may be added to the material prior to entering the unit or via internal spray nozzles.
Spherical, moist particles are then conveyed into a circular vibratory fluid bed dryer that vibrates and dries particles on a perforated screen within a rising column of heated air on a first-in-first-out basis. The circular design is said to yield greater efficiency and economy and easier to clean than conventional rectangular fluid bed dryers. The quick-disconnect housing requires only one air inlet and outlet and is inherently rigid, allowing other components to be downsized.
Dried particles are discharged into a VIBROSCREEN® vibratory screener that employs an upper screening deck to remove any oversize particles and a lower deck to remove undersize particles for further reprocessing on a batch or continuous basis. Low-profile designs are available for areas with limited headroom and options ensure rapid screen changes and fast, thorough wash-down.
Equipment is available to meet 3A, FDA, USDA, BISSC and other hygienic standards, as individual components or complete, automated and integrated systems tailored to suit applications in the chemical, food and pharmaceutical industries.
Tel: +44 (0)1782-597540
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17:08 22/07/2009
Sales top 10,000 mark
UK. Sales of Malvern Instruments' Mastersizer systems have exceeded the 10,000 instruments mark, a major milestone in the company's history. Malvern says that it is used by more than 90 per cent of the world's leading chemical and pharmaceutical companies and the Mastersizer laser diffraction particle size analyzer has become the system of choice across a wide range of different industries.
Dr Paul Kippax, Diffraction Product Manager, pointed out that regular Mastersizer user surveys have helped the company to continually assess whether they are meeting customer needs and delivering the necessary applications and technical assistance to provide maximum value from the investment. "Delivering dedicated, high quality, global customer support has long been a high priority for Malvern, and users tell us that this is both important and appreciated”, he added. Individual experiences and testimonials can be viewed on Malvern’s website (see below).
The company was one of the early pioneers of laser diffraction technology, not only the basis for its laboratory-based Mastersizers, but also the specialist Spraytec system and Insitec range of in-process particle size analyzers.
Paul Kippax explained the practical value this brings: "Laser diffraction is rapid, non-destructive and successful in both the laboratory and process environment. Being able to use the same technology during product development and manufacture has great advantages, because, once specifications are set, they can be maintained through scale-up and into routine production."
Mastersizer 2000 revolutionised particle size analysis by introducing SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) -driven operation and fully automated measurement. Mr Kippax confirmed that this has resulted in greater laboratory productivity, reduced downtime, improved data and increased analysis capabilities.
Another advantage is that
the system is easy to use and only requires minimal training, with stress-free operation and simple, low-cost routine maintenance to keep everything running optimally. Confidence in results is also important, with repeatable and reproducible data improving both product and process understanding.
Mastersizer 2000's versatility is such that it can measure a wide range of particle sizes, handle both wet and dry processes, and its capacity to operate as a research tool or a QC test system also ensures that users get maximum value from the system.
www.malvern.com/mastersizertestimonials
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11:33 06/07/2009
Sanitary weigh/batch system
UK. Bulk solids handling specialist Flexicon (Europe) Ltd has announced the development of a new sanitary bag dump weigh batch station which comes with an integral mechanical conveyor . The new unit is designed to collect dust created during manual dumping of bulk materials from bags, boxes, drums and other containers and discharges material by weight.
In operation, a vacuum fan draws airborne dust from the operator's atmosphere into two cartridge filters, using automatic reverse-pulse filter cleaning cycles to maintain efficient, continuous operation and depositing dust build-up on the outer filter surfaces into the hopper. Importantly, the filters are easily accessible by removing the interior baffle and are replaced using quick-disconnect fittings.
Hopper discharge is into an integral flexible screw conveyor supported by a boom that cantilevers from the frame of the system, the entire weight supported on four load cells, allowing loss-in-weight batching. Once an operator has selected the appropriate batch weight and initiated the cycle, a controller starts the flexible screw conveyor, initially at a high feed rate, then subsequently at a dribble feed rate, stopping material flow once the correct batch weight has been discharged.
To improve material flow into the intake adapter of the screw conveyor, a mechanical hopper agitator has been incorporated to ensure efficient transfer of both free- and non-free-flowing materials that pack, cake or smear, without separating blended products. Construction is in stainless steel finished to sanitary standards with the option of coated mild steel.
Contact: Alan Walton Tel: +44 (0) 1227 374710
www.flexicon.co.uk
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15:01 29/06/2009
Basic IBC filler unveiled
UK. Flexicon’s new Basic Bulk Bag Filler is designed to perform low capacity filling operations at minimal cost and be upgraded with performance enhancements such as a material delivery system integrated with the user's process equipment or bulk storage vessels.
The Model BFB filler is a lighter duty version of the company's heavy gauge Twin-Centerpost™ filler, a patented design that features two centre posts, offering the structural integrity of four post fillers but lighter, with significantly lower material and fabrication costs. It also ensures easier access to the bag spout and loops.
The unit is equpped
as standard with fill head height adjustment via fork truck for accommodating all popular bag sizes, as well as an inflatable neck to seal the bag inlet spout, and a feed chute vent port for dust-free air displacement during filling.
Performance can be enhanced by adding an inflator to expand the bag prior to filling and a programmable scale system with flow control valve for automated filling by weight. It is also available with the company's own flexible screw or pneumatic conveyor delivery system integrated with the user's upstream process equipment or other material source.
www.flexicon.co.uk
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19:41 24/03/2009
Hygienic discharge station
UK. Flexicon (Europe) Ltd announce the development of a new sanitary bag dump station for pneumatic conveying systems, with the ability to collect any dust created during manual dumping of bulk materials from bags, boxes, drums and other containers, as well as ensuring rapid, tool-free wash down.
Optional rocker arms, which support the hood assembly above the hopper rim, eliminate the need to lift and remove the hood during cleaning and inspection. In addition, a stainless rotary airlock valve at the hopper discharge has integral support rails which allow the rotor assembly to be easily separated from the valve body for sanitising of material contact surfaces. The assembly can also be closed securely in seconds without tools.
In operation, a high velocity vacuum fan draws airborne dust from the operator's area into two cartridge filters. Timer-activated solenoid valves deliver automatic, reverse-pulse filter cleaning, removing dust build-up on the outer filter surfaces which falls back into the hopper - a feature that provides continuous, efficient operation. Filters are easily accessed by removing the interior baffle and rapidly replaced using quick-disconnect fittings.
The all stainless unit can be offered with an integral, flexible screw conveyor or universal hopper discharge flange for connection to downstream process equipment. Units are also available mounted on frames with casters for in-plant mobility.
Tel: +44 (0) 1227 374710
www.flexicon.co.uk
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11:20 09/03/2009
