The field of bulk technology is unfortunately not very well known. In technical courses it is usually not mentioned or only very introductory. Also in textbooks, the field of knowledge of storage, conveying and feeding of bulk solids remains underexposed.
This is why BSE has placed various articles in various Dutch media over the years. Below you will find a translation of some of these articles.
Screw feeder design
Proper feeding through well designed pitch increase
In solids handling processes screws are often used to feed powders from silos. This has a number of advantages: avoiding contamination, pollution and dusting;
achieving proper feed rates; better flow. However, if a screw feeder is not designed properly, core flow, bridging, flooding or excessive wear can occur. A proper design prevents these problems.
Pressure reduction in silos
Intermediate cones a reliable option
If, for whatever reason, a company invests in larger silos, it must be aware of problems.
The bulk material experiences greater pressure in a larger silo. This means that the properties of the bulk material change in a negative way. It is therefore very important to keep that pressure under control.
An important instrument is the wall of the silo. One can apply rings or coat the wall. This article deals with the application of intermediate cones.
With a well-designed intermediate cone one can reduce the pressure, the product flows again, and shocks will be a thing of the past.
Demixing behaviour and segregation problems in silos
Behaviour of bulk solids, mechanisms behind segregation
In silos segregation of bulk solids that consist of different fractions or component scan be a problem. De-mixing will result in a unsteady composition of product flowing out.
At one stage this may be too coarse, at another to fine. Or the percentage of a components is too high or too low.
Segregation can occur during filling, during storage and during discharge of the silo.
However, in all three stages, measures can be taken to combat this phenomenon.