Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1212417
March 2020 / 35 decided that the pre-engineered direct-charge blender loading system was the ideal solution because it was designed to address specific needs of blender loading while eliminating the need for a conventional vacuum receiver and avoiding material waste. Because many of the processor's customers provided bulk powders in 25-pound bags, using a wand to suck material from vessels into the conveying line wasn't a viable option, lenges. They may require more filtration and thus a larger vacuum receiver, which may be larger than what's available in a packaged system. Non-free-flowing powders, like those with high fat content, generally require the most equipment modi- fications. However, there's a plethora of methods used to handle non-free-flowing powders that are incorpo- rated into some pre-engineered systems. For example, specialized finishes, oversized receiver discharge openings, 70-degree discharge cones, and coneless (straight-walled) vacuum receivers, like the one shown in Figure 1, can help improve material flow and elimi- nate the need for custom external flow promotion. Today, the wide variety of available systems helps manufacturers reap the benefits of using vacuum conveying equipment, which includes dust contain- ment, workstation ergonomics, material segregation prevention, decreased loading and cleaning down- time, material mishandling and spill prevention, and increased throughput. Sometimes, however, the level of automation needed, plant design, or integrating with existing equipment prevents the use of pre-engineered systems or requires incorporating auxiliary equipment with these systems. A system for every application The key to successful powder and bulk solids pro- cessing is finding what works for your application. Sometimes, even pre-engineered systems call for more custom solutions. Since blenders are used across an array of industries, from food and phar- maceuticals to cosmetics and chemical blending, a direct-charge blender loading vacuum conveying system, like the one shown in Figure 2, is an ideal pre-engineered package to use as an example of when unique conditions may require more custom solutions. Direct-charge blender loading systems are designed specifically for the direct-charge loading of blenders, mixers, reactors, and any vessel capable of withstanding a vacuum. With this type of convey- ing system, a facility's blender or mixer acts as the primary vacuum receiver but power sources, filters, controls, and blender covers with a product inlet and vacuum outlet can be supplied as a combined pack- age. Pre-engineered systems are equipped with a pickup wand to suck materials from vessels into the conveying line but can also accommodate feed bins, bag-dump stations, or bulk bag unloaders. When a pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and flavorings toll processor needed to accommodate industry changes in how bulk materials were transported, the company realized their existing method no longer worked. After researching vacuum conveying options, the processor FIGURE 1 A coneless vacuum receiver helps improve material flow. FIGURE 2 A direct-charge blender loading vacuum conveying system is useful for unique conditions.