Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1197147
14 / January 2020 powderbulk.com PBE INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE SIFT, CLASSIFY, DEWATER & DEDUST dry bulk and slurries in 1 to 5 fractions—from several pounds/ kilograms to 70+ tons/h—with VIBROSCREEN® circular vibratory screeners. COOL OR MOISTURIZE bulk materials at lab to production rates— using minimal energy—with ultra-efficient, self-contained, Quick-Clean, Circular Fluid Bed Processing Systems. SCALP, DEWATER AND DE-LUMP dry bulk materials and solids-laden slurries—at rates from several pounds/kilograms to 70+ tons/h— with Quick-Clean CENTRI-SIFTER™ centrifugal screeners. GG-1108 For Most Screener Makes & Models USA +1 844 KASON 4 U +1 973 467 8140 CAN +1 514 667 6777 UK +44 (0)1782 597540 Todd Smith, business and strategy manager K-State Bulk Solids Innovation Center toddsmith@ksu.edu A synergistic collaboration T en years ago, a group of us in the bulk solids industry were discuss- ing the industry's needs. We realized that the needs were bigger than any one company or entity could address, and the idea of a collab- orative bulk solids innovation center was born. Five years later, in 2015, ground was broken, and the center was built. It wasn't an easy path. Everyone knew a facility like this was needed, but there were many differing ideas about how to make it happen. Before the groundbreaking, we had many discussions with industry leaders, university researchers, and government entities. Each group had its own needs and could offer a set of strengths; the challenge was in figuring out how to use each of these strengths in a synergistic way — something that hadn't been done before — while still meeting the various partners' individual needs. The result, the K-State Bulk Solids Innovation Center at Kansas State Uni- versity, has been fantastic. University officials committed to leading research and education at the center. We perform material testing services for compa- nies from all over the world. Our professional development and continuing education classes have taught bulk solids handling principles to hundreds of industry personnel. And we have the facilities and staff to perform research and consulting projects that are helping solve industry issues. Industry suppliers jumped on board by donating a tremendous amount of needed equipment: valves, motors, hoppers, blowers, compressors, filters, load cells, motor starters, powder testers, flow aids, explosion protection, silos, PLCs, couplings, support stands, and more. Industry supplier tenants located on-site cover the center's overhead costs. And many industry experts have shared their expertise by helping teach portions of the classes. Local government contributed some grant money — about 30 percent of the center's total initial cost — and the local Chamber of Commerce's Economic Development Committee agreed to become the facility's owner and landlord. It was a unique situation that required a unique collaboration. In the coming months, we look forward to describing some of the research and interesting projects that are happening at the center. To learn more about the center's mission, material testing services, educa- tion classes, research, and consulting, go to www. bulk-solids.k-state.edu.