The easyFairs SOLIDS show takes place on the 10 - 11 May 2005 at the Reebok Stadium, Bolton, UK. Showing solutions that improve plant productivity, profitability and production reliability, the exhibition emphasises solids processing, materials handling, safety and environmental issues, services, traceability and much more. Accompanying the event is a series of learnShops, free presentations highlighting issues that are particularly relevant to efficient processing, handling and storage.

ATEX-approved controls
Synatel products on display include ATEX-approved level controls, speed monitors, and inductive and capacitive proximity sensors.
   New at the show is a remotely calibrated version of the Digimatic level control for applications where vibration, temperature or space constraints prevent the use of a self-contained unit. The new addition retains all Digimatic’s features including auto/manual calibration, LED display ‘Power Shield’ compensator and multi-voltage operation. The possibility of having a 100-m distance between probe and controller makes the climbing of silos unnecessary.
   Also new is a heavy duty Whirligig speed monitor designed for mining and quarrying applications.
www.synatel.co.uk

Containment and compliance
Spiroflow Ltd are promoting their powder handling capabilities with emphasis on containment and compliance with the ATEX Directive which are prominent features of their comprehensive range of flexible screw conveyors, aero-mechanical conveyors, bulk bag (FIBC) filling machines and bulk bag dischargers. Exhibits from across the range are on display.
   A new range of flexible screw conveyors is launched, utilising black, abrasion resistant, conveying tubes to extend the scope of flexible screw conveyors into applications for very abrasive materials.
www.spiroflow.com

Mix-and-match conveyors
PIAB’s modular range of USDA and ATEX vacuum conveyors is now available in 3 diameters ranging from 210 to 560mm, featuring simple installation and easy disassembly for cleaning. Systems have long been utilised in difficult applications where for instance the bulk product is not free flowing. Addition of a fluidising discharge cone has traditionally been the answer to rapid product discharge.
   Modularity is a key element of the new range, providing a solution to conveying issues by permitting a mix and match of discharge modules within the range. Conveying systems satisfy the needs of the foodstuffs, process and pharmaceuticals sectors. Maximum capacity is up to 10 tph although many applications call for much lower throughputs of only a couple of hundred kg per hr.
   Construction is in corrosion resistant ASTM 316L steel with a variety of filters such as Pitex™ filter socks, Gore™ Sinbran or stainless steel filter cartridges for trapping particles as small as 0.5 mm. Where necessary the conveyor can also be equipped with an HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter.
www.piab.co.uk

Weighing and process control
Weighing and process control suppliers, Procon Eng are promoting their extensive service, calibration and support capabilities and are featuring a live working demonstration of their innovative UKAS traceable ForceCal™ silo and vessel calibration unit, which now boasts a working capacity from 500 kg up to 40 t.
   Fully portable, ForceCal does not require the vessel being calibrated to be empty, allowing calibration to be carried out in minutes with a minimum of disruption. The unit is battery powered and certified for use in hazardous areas.
   The recently introduced FlowCal™ portable flow meter calibration unit, which can calibrate meters on site, will also be shown.
www.proconeng.com

Extensive range
Kemutec Powder Technologies Ltd will exhibit its range of mills, mixers, sifters and flow control valves. Kemutec is an established name in the manufacture of specialist equipment and turnkey systems for the processing and handling of powders and other dry/semi-dry bulk solids.
   The core technologies offered include KEK size reduction mills, KEK centrifugal sifters, GARDNER mixers and blenders and MUCON flow control valves and discharge aids, meeting the needs of the food, pharmaceutical and chemical Industries. A new range of cantilevered shaft sifters (EZ Sifter) has been added to the range of KEK easy clean sifters, further extending their capabilities to the high volume, low cost market. An example of the new EZ centrifugal sifter will be on display along with Kemutec's latest Kek underdriven cone mill and Mucon butterfly valves. The Mucon Series K Iris Diaphragm Valve is also shown.
www.kemutec.com

Innovative filter elements
Dust control specialists, Dustcheck Ltd are displaying a new innovative 328mm diameter range of conical filter elements as used in their new SFV1200 range of cased filters for ducted extract systems. Previously only available for their process venting filter unit range using smaller diameter conical elements, the new conical filter technology has been expanded to include the larger diameter traditional cased filter range of filter elements.
   Conical technology claims to give improved cleaning efficiency by lowering filter upstream or 'can' velocities and thereby minimising product re-entrainment during cleaning. This enables filters to handle higher media to air ratios giving significant savings in filter area requirement, size and cost.
www.dustcheck.co.uk.

Airlock for filters
DMN UK Ltd are presenting the new DL dust airlock which is now also available flameproof and pressure shock resistant up to 3 bar. The valve, which has universal flanges on both sides, is of a dedicated design for filter applications, conforming to ATEX Directive 94/9/EC.
   The DL is part of the extensive range of rotary valves, diverter valves and other components. As well as a range of standard versions, the company supply components that conform to USDA requirements, ATEX Directive 94/9/EC, pressure shock resistant to 10 bar and/or flame proof for Dust Class St2.
www.dmn.info

New range of blower packages
BOC Edwards are showing their new Silent Flow Plus range of blower packages for industrial applications - a development of the Silent Flow product line, offering compact design, quiet operation and compliance with latest European directives. To optimise package selection, the new range offers nearly twice as many blower sizes and is particularly suitable for aeration systems in wastewater treatment plants and pneumatic conveying systems.
   There is now a wider choice of blower sizes and options with thirteen high pressure models, offering maximum flow rates from 300 to 9000 cu m per hr at pressures up to 1000 mbar (pressure) or 500 mbar (vacuum). For medium pressure applications (up to 700 mbar pressure, 500 mbar vacuum), there are nine models with maximum flow rates from 100 to 9000 cu m per hr. The new range is also compliant with ATEX and CE requirements for electrical safety.
www.bocedwards.com

Feeders for dry bulk
Acrison has 40-years of experience manufacturing volumetric and gravimetric feeders for a wide variety of dry bulk solid materials. Development of the product range is based on the expertise gained through an enormous range of applications and industries.
   Five different model designs of volumetric feeder cater for the conflicting demands of budget constraints and critical process requirements to ensure optimum performance.
www.acrisonint.net

High capacity centrifugal sifter
Rotex’s centrifugal sifter is designed to meet the demands of high-capacity sifting operations for a wide variety of powders, granules, agglomerates and other free-flowing materials. Processed particles in the 10mm to 30 micron size range can be scalped with ease using a combination of high centrifugal force and blade spreading action to reduce binding problems, even when handling materials that tend to flake or agglomerate due to fat or moisture content.
   Compared to conventional screening equipment, the rotating blades spreading action distributes product around the sieve cylinder for complete utilisation of screen area, conveying oversize particles to discharge. Accelerated particles impinging against the sieve also causes it to vibrate and clean itself and total enclosure eliminates dust problems. Large, fast acting access doors provide easy access to the sieve chamber and internal working parts, and changing or replacing screens takes minutes without tools.
www.rotexeurope.be

Fine powder experts
British Rema will demonstrate why an increasing number of companies are outsourcing the processing of their fine powders. Offering the latest specialist equipment, the company has a dedicated technical centre including R and D facilities and a laboratory staffed by processing experts, offering a high level of processing expertise.
   MD Chris Bird said that instead of committing to a substantial investment in new processing equipment, producers are discovering the benefits of the company’s contract processing service, which guarantees that every batch is quality tested. Recent health and safety legislation has now made it more difficult for companies to continue processing powders in the same way in their own facilities.
   British Rema has the capacity to handle both large and small product volumes, processing powders to customers' exact specification and batch weight. Delivering the perfect end product is paramount and is the reason why there is a dedicated on-site laboratory with the very latest particle size analysis equipment to ensure that all product is processed to the specified standard. The company has seen a prominent increase from sectors such as aerospace, fine chemicals and toners, where very precise particle sizing is particularly important. The service is backed up by ISO9001:2000 accreditation.
www.britishrema.co.uk

New range of separators
Separation and filtration specialists, Russell Finex Ltd have a new range of vibratory separators designed to provide improved separation, quality, increased capacity and reduced noise at a competitive price.
   Both wet and dry applications can be dealt with and up to four screen surfaces can be mounted on one separator, providing up to five predetermined fractions in a single operation. Trials are said to have shown that, on most materials, at least twice the capacity can be achieved with the same accuracy of separation as standard separator designs.
   The vibrator housing is designed around a high-mass, machined casting, incorporating a standard off-the shelf motor. Rubber suspension mounts are said to make the unit far quieter than separators fitted with springs and four rubber feet also contribute to lower noise levels instead of utilising metal plates in direct contact with the floor. The modular decking contributes to flexibility and optimum use of space, and oversize discharge spouts can be moved around a machine's circumference.
   The Finex Separator can be fitted with conventional mechanical screen cleaning devices and Russell's patented Vibrasonic mesh deblinding system. A working unit will be on show.
www.russellfinex.com