Page 3153 - Flipbook_SolidDesignSoutheast2020

CaseStudy
14 Powder & Bulk Solids

Januar y 2019 determining the type of system needed is the in better quality control, smaller equipment, The vacuum conveyor is integrated into a

distance that the material is traveling. In pneu-
and discharge valves. All product contact parts
tion time – while reducing labor and mainte-
matic conveying, the more tubing incorporated simplified 1:1 scale-up, and shorter produc- screw discharger to eliminate conical hoppers
into the bulk material handling system, or the nance costs are designed in 316L stainless steel per 3A
further the conveying distance, results in larger Sanitary and USDA design standards. A pneu-
vacuum pumps since it takes more airflow to The Heart of the System matic poppet valve on the end of the screw
pull (or push) the air through the tube. Self-sufficient and the heart of the process, discharger prevents any chance of dribble feed
Vacuum conveying systems move product the sanitary pharma-grade Vac-U-Max vacuum from the receiver into the conveying line. A gas
vertically and calculated the same as moving conveyor is mounted on a rolling lift frame pulse is sent to the receiver’s filter to release any
product horizontally--in linear ft. However, to allow A&C to remove the equipment from entrained material that may have accumulated
each 90-degree sweep in the system equals 20 the production room for cleaning. The lifting on the filter during conveying.
linear feet; thus, moving material horizontally frame allows the conveyor to be raised into A good vacuum conveyor needs a good vac-
110 feet (34m) and vertically 110 ft with four operating position above the drum on a scale, uum producer. The vacuum producer selected
90-degree sweeps results in an overall convey- and to lower it to a travel position which is for A&C’s system is a continuous-duty 5HP re-
ing distance of 300 ft. Vacuum conveying tech- also a convenient height that encourages good gen blower unit due to its vacuum production
nology was selected by A&C because any leaks maintenance and sanitation of the equipment. and airflow, compact size, direct-driven impeller,
in the system will be inward and mitigates the and low noise level--ideal for a pharmaceutical
risk of appositive-pressure system that devel- environment.
ops a leak results in a cloud, or pile, or pow- If the vacuum conveyor is the heart of the
der in the work environment. This not only system, the controls must be the brains of the
reduces exposure for the operators, but also operation. Vac-U-Max was able to provide A&C
aids in reducing combustible dust, sanitation, with a C-UL-labelled main control panel in com-
and product yield issues. pliance with Canadian electrical standards. “This
In addition to factoring how many vertical is a great benefit for my customers in Quebec,”
rises and horizontal runs, the bulk material said John Hamilton of Hamilton Process
handling system factors in the number of Systems Inc., the Vac-U-Max representative for
equipment connections, headroom require- the province for over 16 years.
ments for vacuum receiver mounts, and any Vac-U-Max is a UL- and C-UL certified control
containment or clean room requirements, as panel builder for general purpose and explosion-
required by A&C. By reducing the number of hazard environments. The control panel at A&C
overall process steps, processors reduce the Operator can also use a vacuum wand to draw incorporates all electrical and pneumatic func-
potential for product segregation resulting powders from drums. tions from the bulk bag unloader, bag dump sta-

A boatload of confi gurations available

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