Big Bag Discharging and Silo Loading
Silo loading systems connected to big bag discharging stations are used for discharging raw materials from FIBC bags and fill them to storage silos. Silo loading can be done by mechanical conveyors or pneumatic conveying systems.
Silo Loading With Pneumatic Conveying System
Pneumatic conveying systems installed after bulk bag discharge units transfer the bulk material through conveying pipelines to fill silos. This configuration is useful in applications where high transfer rates and long conveying distances are needed. In production lines where raw materials are stored in warehouses far from storage silos, big bag discharge stations can be installed closed to warehouses and pneumatic conveying systems are used to fill silos from long distances. This design prevents extreme use of forklifts and cranes for bulk material transfer in production site and increases overall efficiency.
Pneumatic transfer systems used for silo loading utilize blower pumps or compressors. Motor power, pipeline diameter, equipment selection depends on type of bulk material, transfer distance, silo height and transfer capacity. Level sensors, jet filters and other equipment are installed on storage silos to properly run silo filling system.
Mechanical Conveying Systems For Silo Loading
Mechanical conveyors can be used for silo loading from big bag discharge stations. Screw feeders, bucket elevators, rotary valves or chain conveyors are connected to big bag discharge stations to fill silos. Conveying equipment selection directly depends on conveying distance, height, transferred material and capacity. Bucket elevators are preferred for high silos. Screw feeders are preferred for shorter silos and short distances. Big bag discharge system can be installed on top of silo for faster filling. In this case rotary valve or butterfly valve are better choices which provide simple flow control. Dust collection systems may be needed depending on dust content of bulk solid. During silo loading, air content in the silo escapes to the atmosphere and carries some amount of dust together. Having vacuum fan and jet filter, dust collectors prevent any dust emission to the environment. Collected dust is sent back to the silo and product loss is prevented.
Big Bag Discharging and Bag Filling Systems
Bulk material stored in big bags can be filled into small bags automatically. Big bag discharge systems have optional built in bag filling units. For low filling capacities, these units are installed below the big bag discharge hopper and provide practical and cost effective solution. Big bag discharging and bag filling operations can be handled on single compact system.For higher bag filling needs, bag filling machines are installed near bulk bag discharge stations. Pneumatic conveying systems or mechanical conveyors are used to transfer bulk material from FIBC bag discharge station to bag or sack filling system.
Big Bag Discharge and Mixer Filling
Mixer automation systems are used to mix dry bulk solids with respect to certain recipes. Raw materials that are delivered within FIBC bags can be transferred to mixing units by combination of conveying equipment and bulk bag discharge system. Depending on type of application, pneumatic conveying or mechanical feeding systems can be used to fill mixers. Big bag discharge stations can be manufactured with built in dosing system. Amount of raw material to be loaded into the mixer is controlled automatically by the help of weighing and dosing system. Dust collectors can be used to prevent dust emission during mixer filling.
Big Bag Discharging and Packaging System Feeding
Dry bulk packaging systems are used to fill powdered or granular materials into bags, drums, jars, sacks etc. Bulk materials that are delivered within big bags are to be transferred to packaging machines without interruption. Loading hopper of packaging system should be kept full during filling and packaging. Big bag discharge systems can monitor the product level in loading hopper and maintain constant level automatically. Depending on packaging speed, mechanical conveying systems or pneumatic loading systems can be selected. Dust collectors can be used to prevent dust emission during hopper loading for materials with high dust content.
Big Bag Discharge, Dosing, Weighing and Batching Systems
Big bag discharge systems can deliver dry bulk solids in powder and granular form to weighing and batching systems. Loading hopper of weighing system should be kept full during dosing and batching. Big bag discharge systems can monitor the product level in loading hopper and maintain constant level automatically. Depending on dosing speed and conveying distance, mechanical conveying systems or pneumatic loading systems may be used. Dust collectors can be used to prevent dust emission during hopper loading for materials with high dust content.
Big Bag Discharge and Bulk Truck Loading Systems
Bulk tanker trucks or open trucks are sometimes filled with powdered materials delivered within FIBC bags. These systems are generally composed of bulk bag discharging station, mechanical or pneumatic conveyor and loading bellow. Big bag discharge station transfers the bulk solid from big bag to conveying system. Conveying system transfers it to truck loading area. And loading bellow is used to fill tanker truck without any dust emission. Since truck loading operations are done within limited time, high capacity big bag discharge systems and bulk material conveying systems are used. For short distances, screw conveyors are preferred to transfer material from big bag discharge station to truck loading chute. For long conveying distances, pneumatic conveying systems provide better service. There may exist a storage hopper or silo above bulk truck loading bellow to compensate material flow between inlet and outlet. Bulk bag discharge and truck filling systems have automatic control system that monitors product level in truck and operates all equipment accordingly. Optional weighing system can be added to measure the amount of material that is filled to truck.