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Using a bucket elevator to convey metal powders
Q: We process metal powders, which we know can be combustible. We use a bucket elevator to convey them in one area of our plant. What kind of safety measures do we have to use with the elevator?
As you mention, some metals can be potentially explosive. Aluminium, for instance, has a minimum ignition energy (MIE) of about 1 millijoule in the worst case scenario and a Kst (dust deflagration index) value going as high as St 2 or even St 3 (classification system indicating a very high risk of explosion). Iron and iron-resin mixtures, such as copier toner, give similar figures, making it unadvisable to handle these products in a bucket elevator.
In fact, a bucket elevator is one of the worst types of equipment you could choose in terms of explosion history and potential because the fuel (the metal powder) and oxygen—two of the key ingredients in an explosion—are present. Combine that with metal dust that’s likely dispersed in the air and you have an ideal explosive situation.
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We're looking for guest contributors for the Ask the Expert section—email kcarrigan@cscpub.com for more info. |
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How to use flow aids in a pneumatic conveying system
 No matter what industry you’re in, you’ve probably run into powders that cause real problems when you try to discharge them from a storage vessel into your pneumatic conveying system. Very fine powders such as cocoa and pharmaceutical additives, crystalline powders such as sugar, powders that hold a static charge such as plastic resins, fine granular powders such as detergents, and many others have a tendency to form an arch or rathole when discharging from a silo, bin, filter-receiver, or bulk bag. Powder arches and ratholes that cause erratic flow or stop flow from the storage vessel to the pneumatic conveying line can cause your entire production line to come to a halt. In addition, erratic flow can allow blow-by air to get into the powder in the pneumatic conveying line, causing pressure swings in the system and affecting the system's stability. A stable system won’t plug and could allow you to run at higher pressures, resulting in more efficient conveying.
Getting the powder out of storage and into the conveying line can be the biggest challenge in designing and operating a pneumatic conveying system. So what can you do to ensure smooth discharge from your storage vessel into the system?
To find out how to deal with this problem, you can read “Flow aids to the rescue: Discharging from storage into your pneumatic conveying system” by Matt Scholl and Joanna Bassler, Mac Process, in the November issue of Powder and Bulk Engineering. |
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Leading organizations address skill gap in manufacturing
The Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates is joining the Manufacturing Institute to expand the Skills Certification System for careers in manufacturing. This partnership will work with manufacturers to educate and train students to join the manufacturing workforce, helping close the worker skill gap that 80 percent of manufacturers are experiencing. With the help of new partners, the programs’s learning standards could be implemented at high schools, community colleges, and universities. PPG to increase silica production capacity
PPG Industries announced that precipitated silica production at its Lake Charles, La., location will increase by more than 22,000 tons per year due to increased demands. In 2012, PPG expanded production not only in North America, but also at its site in Delfzijl, The Netherlands. Kevin Braun, PPG’s general manager, indicated that this expansion will allow the company to fulfill demand and should be completed by early 2014.
ACMA seeking 2013 ACE Awards entries
The American Composites Manufacturing Association (ACMA) is accepting submissions for the Awards for Composites Excellence (ACE Awards). The awards are given to innovators within the composites field and for creative and innovative products within the composites industry. The three submission categories are design, manufacturing, and market growth. The winners, including Best in Show, will be announced at COMPOSITES 2013 in January. Top chemistry departments still in Britain and US
In the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), once again British and US universities are the highest ranking schools in the field of chemistry. However, some European universities, including the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Switzerland, Kyoto University in Japan, and many German universities have made it into the top 100 rankings as well. The ranking results come from assessing a university’s publications, awards, and research capabilities. |
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Supplier News
NBE offers online videos about sanitary-compliant bulk material handling equipment
National Bulk Equipment Inc. (NBE), Holland, Mich., has posted six online videos that present principles for sanitary-compliant designs and construction for bulk material handling equipment. With commentary provided by Tom Krueger, a council-certified microbial consultant (CMC) and president of Summit Laboratory, the videos focus on sanitary process equipment design, optimal compliance contribution, materials of construction, equipment cleanability, equipment accessibility, and product safety in sanitary process equipment. Summit Laboratory, Grand Rapids, Mich., is a full-service environmental microbiology lab. NBE designs, engineers, and manufactures bulk material handling equipment and fully integrated automatic material handling systems.
Metso Mining named supplier of the year by Newmont
Metso Mining and Construction, Canonsburg, Pa., a supplier of mills, crushers, and engineering and optimization services, has been recognized as a top vendor at Newmont Mining Corp.’s annual Supplier Summit. Nominees were evaluated on areas including operation efficiency, relationship development, and adherence to Newmont’s values of worker safety, social responsibility, and environmental protection.
FLSmidth wins large Venezuelan supply contract
FLSmidth, Bethlehem, Pa., a supplier for the mineral and cement industries, has won a $48 million contract to install a feeding system for CVG Alcasa’s aluminum smelter. The contract is part of the state-owned Venezuelan company’s $400 million refurbishment plan. To read more click here. |
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Events
Conference for equipment manufacturers is almost here
The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) will host its 2012 Equipment Manufacturers Conference November 8–10 in San Diego. This educational and networking event welcomes equipment designers, builders, and installers who serve the feed, pet food, and ingredient industries. The theme for this year’s conference is “Complying with the Challenges of a Changing Industry” and visitors can expect industry and regulatory updates, economic forecasts, and panel discussions with stakeholder companies that provide products to the agricultural market. ISPE annual meeting is just weeks away
The 2012 International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineers (ISPE) Annual Meeting will be held November 11-14 at the Marriott Marquis San Francisco in San Francisco. This 4-day conference’s education sessions will provide the latest information in technology innovation, application, and best practices. Various regulatory sessions will engage regulatory agencies from around the world in discussions with the industry, building consensus around guidance, quality issues, and technology application. Click here for more information and to register. International forum goes green
The First International Forum on Commercializing Global Green: From Raw Materials to Global Brands will take place November 12-14 at the Chemical Heritage Foundation (CHF) in Philadelphia. This first forum is the start of an on-going relationship between the Society for the Commercial Development of Industrial Biotechnology (SCD-iBIO) and the industrial biotechnology community. Click here for more information and to register. ExpoSolidos adds semisolids and solid-liquid separation
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Continuing Education
Short course on environmental regulations announced
Georgia Tech now offers a course to companies and businesses about the ever changing EPA laws and regulations. The Georgia Tech Professional Education Managing Environmental Compliance (EST 6000) course is held in Atlanta. The course explains current regulations and helps students to learn how to spot and prevent potential hazards and violations. For more information on this course or other professional education courses at Georgia Tech, click here. PBE hosts OSHA webinar
At 12:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday, November 6, PBE will host the webinar "The Evolving Combustible
Dust Regulatory Scene – Ready for the Changes to NFPA 654?" Gary Q. Johnson will cover OSHA enforcement actions for the last 5 years (following the administration’s implementation of its Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program in 2007) and will also discuss the current status of the regulatory process. For more information and to register, click here. Viscosity measurements course is almost here
Brookfield Engineering will present the Practical Course On Viscosity Measurement November 13 in Cleveland; November 14 at Brookfield Engineering’s headquarters in Middleboro, Mass.; and November 15 in Philadelphia. This 1-day course will teach the basics of how to use the company’s viscometer and rheometer instrumentation by providing information on calibration and verifications, rheology, methodology, and data interpretation. CRI holds polyurethane coatings course
The Coatings Research Institute (CRI) will present “Basics of Polyurethane Coatings” November 15 and 16 at the Eastern Michigan University Student Center in Ypsilanti, Mich. The course provides a fundamental understanding of polyurethane chemistry and technology and how it’s harnessed in the formulation of various coating systems. Visit the course page or contact Bob Lahidji (734-487-2040, blahidji@emich.edu) for more information. |
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Copyright 2012, CSC Publishing Inc. All rights reserved.
PBE-News provides information updates about the dry bulk materials processing and handling industry twice a month. The opt-out link below will allow you to opt out of future PBE-News. This will in no way affect our contact methods regarding your subscription or communication. Thank you.
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Have you ever been stuck without a mesh-micron conversion table when you needed to convert a particle size from one unit of measure to the other? I developed a simple formula for converting between standard US mesh sizes and microns that provides high accuracy over a wide particle size range (45 to 400 mesh).