Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1277345
15 www.spirofl ow.com Producer seeks USDA- and 3A approved bulk bag discharger Before Mid-American could start using 2,000-pound bulk bags, McNeese had to fi nd a bulk bag discharger. "I started looking at dischargers in magazine advertise- ments and contacting manufacturers," he says. "I asked manufacturers for bids on a USDA and Dairy 3A-ap- proved discharger." At the time, no one built a discharger that could meet both standards, according to McNeese. "Handling bulk solids was relatively new to us - I wasn't aware I was asking for anything special." After talking with several manufacturers, McNeese found one that was willing to work with him to design a discharger. "I asked them if they could build an all stain- less steel discharger that could meet both standards," McNeese says. "They investigated the standards and found out what had to be done." Sanitary discharger is built and installed After agreeing to take on the project, the manufactur- er designed a bulk bag discharger that could meet the standards as well as other Mid-American requirements, including ease of use. After McNeese approved the de- sign, the manufacturer began building the discharger. During fabrication, a USDA inspector made a couple visits to the discharger manufacturer's plant to approve the unit's construction. To receive Dairy 3A approval, the manufacturer applied to the 3A council, which pro- vided specifi cations. A design was sent to the council, and they approved it. The bulk bag discharger was installed with minimal la- bor. "The installation went very well," says McNeese. "Everything came intact. We just set it up. Not including wiring, the discharger was installed in 2 hours." The entire discharger is constructed of Types 304 and 316 stainless steel. The discharger has an 18-inch-diam- eter access hatch, which can be opened with one hand. The hatch is dust-tight and allows the operator to reach the bag's outlet spout and connect it to the discharg- er's product chute. This feature separates the bulk bag's nonsanitary exterior from the inner plastic liner protect- ing the powder. The product chute delivers powder to a small hopper that supplies an integral screw conveyor. "I asked manufacturers for bids on a USDA- and Dairy 3A-approved discharger. I wasn't aware I was asking for anything special. " A bulk bag's outlet sprout connects this internal product chute, maintaining a sealed and sanitary discharge path for the product.