After educating the customer about combustible dust hazards and what to be aware of, they conducted a dust hazard analysis (DHA). Upon completion of their DHA, they found that the solution we provided would be the safest means to transfer this new product into their process.
There were several key points to this solution. Below is a list of the major design features of the system:
- A rotary valve was used in conjunction with load cells on the bulk bag unloading system to precisely dose the material into a charge hopper for transfer.
- Grounding tabs and bonding straps were used throughout the system to ensure the equipment stayed grounded during use.
- A hoist loaded unloading station was used due to difficult forklift access in the area.
- To further increase safety during the transport of the material, instrumentation to allow nitrogen injection into the transfer line was used.
- A mobile frame was designed to integrate the entire conveying system and vacuum pump into one structure, keeping everything compact and easy to move.
- A pneumatic air cylinder and switches were used to index our Powder Pump system to the mixer inlet. To ensure safe operation of the cylinder, two hands are required for operation.
- To avoid interference with the mixer, the Powder Pump was installed at a slight angle
- A spray ball port with insertable spray ball was added to the connection hopper between the Powder Pump and mixer inlet to enable cleanout of the system before undocking
