Viper Self-contained E-Liquid Compounding System Overview

Viper Self-contained E-Liquid Compounding System Overview from Process Systems & Design

The Difference Between a Feeder and Conveyor

Conveyors

In a bulk material handling system, feeders and conveyors are very important. Feeders and conveyors not only function much differently, but their design requirements are also very different. If a conveyor is misused for a feeder, increased power requirements as well as stagnant regions within the bin could occur. The decision must be made of which will be used when designing a bulk material handling system.

A feeder controls the rate of material from either a bin or a hopper. When the feeder stops, the material slow should also stop. Feeders are flood-loaded and are capable of rate control. Feeders are able to modulate the discharge rate from the vessel that is flood loading it. They also have a relatively slow speed of operation, but the speeds are not fixed. At times, more than one feeder may be needed for a particular application. Feeders are to operate when they are one hundred percent full. Belt feeders for coal, vibratory pan feeders for applying seasoning to chips, and apron feeders for ore under a stockpile are all examples of feeders.

Mechanical conveyors are used to transport bulk materials, but are not able to modulate the rate of material flow. Conveyors, unlike feeders, are not flood-loaded and are running at a constant speed. The constant speed for a conveyor is much different than a feeder; it runs at relatively higher speeds. Conveyors are to operate when they are partially full. Drag-chain conveyors for hot clinker, screw conveyors for limestone, and belt conveyors are all examples of conveyors.

A general rule in a bulk material handling system is that conveyors should not be used as feeders and vice versa. A feeder should always be used if modulation of flow rate is needed and if mass flow in the bin above is required. A combination of a feeder and conveyor should be used if the horizontal distance between the hopper outlet and discharge point is two to three times the length of the outlet. Selecting and designing a specific feeder for particular jobs is not a huge deal. On the other hand, conveyors have much stricter design rules.

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Pneumatic Conveying: Dense Phase Conveying Vs. Dilute Phase Conveying

Dense Phase Conveying

A pneumatic conveying system transfers powders, granules, and other dry bulk materials through an enclosed horizontal or vertical conveying line. Controllable air is used to transport either vacuum or pressure materials through piping at a controlled rate. This system has quite a few advantages. It can be configured with bends to fit around existing equipment, which gives it much more flexibility. The pneumatic conveying also takes up less space, is totally enclosed, which allows the system to contain dust, and typically has fewer moving parts than other systems. Pneumatic conveying systems are grouped by their operating principle into two types: dilute phase and dense phase, which both can be run under a vacuum or pressure.

Dilute phase conveying the particles being transported are at low pressure and high velocity and will be fully suspended in the conveying air. Dense phase conveying transports the particles are at a high pressure and low velocity, while they are not being suspended. Much larger distances may be accomplished compared to dilute phase conveying.

Dilute Phase Conveying

Dilute phase conveying with pressure is one of the most common conveying methods for powders or granules, as well as fibrous materials. This system relies heavily on the air stream's velocity. The air stream's velocity picks up and draws each particle along, keeping them in suspension as they go through the conveying line. Dilute phase vacuum conveying is suitable for conveying materials that usually pack or compress under pressure. This system is usually used to transport materials over short distances at low capacities.

In dense phase pressure conveying, the system conveys the materials at a lower speed to limit materials degradation, air consumption, and abrasion on pipeline, bend, and diverter contact surfaces. This system also has the ability to start or stop with the conveying line being full with material. In dense phase vacuum conveying fragile or abrasive materials are conveyed much more gently. Minimal damage, reduced erosion in the conveying line and being traveled longer distances are all advantages of this low velocity process.

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