Flexicon
This weigh hopper improves pneumatic conveying accuracy
The new gain-in-weight hopper with a Fill/Pass Valve for dilute-phase conveying (photo, p. 33) is suspended from three small-scale load cells. Single or multiple hoppers can be positioned along a common vacuum or positive-pressure pneumatic conveying line for discharging of dry bulk solids by weight into single or multiple pieces of process equipment, storage vessels or downstream use points. The system’s controller weighs a batch by changing the position of the valve, which diverts conveyed material into the hopper. As the hopper fills, load cells transmit weight-gain information to a PLC. Once the batch weight has been reached, the valve redirects material from the hopper and a controller actuates a slide gate valve to open, discharging the weighted batch. The unit is constructed of stainless steel, and can be finished to industrial or sanitary standards. — Flexicon Corp., Bethlehem, Pa.