Bulk Material Handling System Feeds, Meters, and Blends Dry and Liquid Ingredients at a Process Rate of 12,000 lbs. per hour

National Bulk Equipment, Inc. (NBE). This integrated bulk material handling system feeds, meters, and blends very free-flowing dry bulk material and liquid minor ingredients at a 12,000 lb./hr. blended-material process rate.

The dual, NBE bulk bag unloaders; constructed of 4” x 4” x 5/16” structural framework, each have a 4,000 lb. frame capacity and meet or exceed ANSI and ASME specifications. NBE bulk bag conditioning systems, built into the framework of each NBE bulk bag unloader, reduce total bag cycle process times by 25% compared to free-standing bag conditioning designs.

The liquid supply tank, built of 304-2b stainless steel, discharges the minor ingredient into the blending hopper based the specific recipe and control instruction from the system HMI. The 250 cu. ft. capacity blending hopper is constructed of 3/8”, 304-2b stainless steel and has an integral, 14 ga., 304-2b stainless steel dimpled jacket that is ASME inspected and code stamped for –20°F to +400°F, and 125 PSIG. A thorough material mix is provided by the blending hopper’s 10” solid mainshaft and double-ribbon agitator design.

The NBE controls and automation architecture enable standardized system integration to the facility’s SCADA system. Application-specific, operator interaction and process operations risks were identified and properly mitigated by NBE throughout the design, testing, and commissioning stages. NBE expertise in application-appropriate codes, standards, and regulations ensured system compliance at start-up.