Reading Room

Articles published in magazines

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.

Silo design

Silo design

Avoiding flow problems through adequate design.

To avoid problems in silos concerning flow, product ageing or decay, silo design is necessary. The design of a silo is based on the most economical case: gravity flow. Wall friction, internal friction and bridging properties determine the applicable hopper angle and opening diameter. In some cases through the design procedure it is found that a 'simple' silo is not possible. This however saves a lot of work and costs.
Screw feeder design

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

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.
Segregation mechanisms: the basics of de-mixing

Segregation mechanisms: the basics of de-mixing

Behaviour of bulk solids, mechanisms behind segregationn

If samples taken from one batch have a different composition, this is called segregation or de-mixing. The samples may differ on the basis of the components present (different products) or the fractions present (different particle sizes). Segregation means that the properties of a batch of bulk material are no longer constant at every location, resulting in a loss of quality. Combating segregation involves many aspects.
Demixing behaviour and segregation problems in silos

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.