Bin Activators & Dischargers Spotlight - March 09

Discharge Aid
The Mucon Promo-Flow discharge aid is an easy-to-install solution to existing discharge problems. The custom-made internally mounted screens are designed to transmit vibration directly into the product, thereby preventing material bridging, ratholing, and segregation during discharge. The robust vibrators are mounted externally, thereby activating the vibrating screens mounted on the inside of the silo wall at the points where a flow problem can occur. Rubber isolation mounts attach the system to the silo, which prevents leakage through the mounting holes. The whole unit is allowed to vibrate the product while
contributing no vibration to the silo itself.
Kemutec Powder Technologies, Bristol, PA 215-788-8013 www.kemutec.com

Flat-Bottom Bin Discharger
The Model 170-BD-30 bin discharger utilizes mechanically induced internal agitation to promote the discharge of dry solid ingredients from within a bin or hopper, typically for filling a feeder or to refill a weigh feeder. The discharger is a self-emptying design with complete and total cleanout capability. It consists of a circular, nonconverging flat-bottom housing containing a horizontally mounted agitator (driven from beneath) for effectively discharging dry solid materials from within the storage bin or hopper. Product flows out of the storage bin and into the mating wide-throat opening, where the sweeping action of the slowly rotating agitator produces positive product discharge without compaction, attrition, or segregation.
Acrison Inc., Moonachie, NJ 201-440-8300 www.acrison.com

Cone Valve Discharger
The success of the Soliflo discharger is due to its vibrating cone valve. Consisting of a main body, internal cone, internal rubber bellow, and pneumatic vibrator, the unit bolts directly below the silo or hopper. For material discharge, the internal cone is lifted up by the rubber actuator, which creates an annular gap for material flow. Vibration is transmitted by the pneumatic vibrator inside the cone. Discharge is complete, continuous, variable, quiet, and nondetrimental to the storage container. When the cone is in its lowered position, routine maintenance can take place even when the hopper is full of material. Sizes are available from 2 to 8 ft, and in round or square shapes.
Carolina Conveying Inc., Canton, NC 828-235-1005 www.carolinaconveying.com

Vibrators and Drives for Hoppers and Bins
BEST heavy-duty air-powered-piston and rotary-electric vibrators and drives are designed for bins, hoppers, chutes, screeners, vibratory feeders, conveyors, tables, and other vibratory applications. All provide continuous maximum-force operation from 30 lb to more than 40,000 lb. These dust-tight, splashproof motors provide excellent field performance in harsh environments including dirt, rain, and snow. Heavy-duty construction—including ductile-iron castings, steel end covers, and high-alloy fasteners—assures long life. Motors are available in 3600-, 1200-, and 900-rpm models, from 1/50 to 17½ hp. All units can be mounted horizontally or vertically.
Metso Minerals Industries Inc., Brunswick, OH 800-827-9237 www.bestvibes.com

Bin Dischargers
Vibra Screw Inc.’s bin dischargers are ruggedly built, simple to install, and come with an unconditional performance guarantee. The simple, compact design incorporates a leakproof molded sleeve, heavy-duty suspension system, and long-life vibrator. Designed to provide on-demand flow from bins up to 20 ft in diameter, standard units are available for quick delivery in both carbon and stainless steel.
Vibra Screw Inc., Totowa, NJ 973-256-7410 www.vibrascrew.com

Bin Activators
With a new and patented design of its easy-to-fit flanged seamless sleeve seal, manufactured from in-house polymer cast Sinter or Sintal (FDA approved) materials, Wamgroup has eliminated any need for vulcanizing the sealing sleeve. This design prevents slipping of the seal, material leakage, and removes any type of clamp retainers so that any risk of cutting or puncturing the sleeve is eliminated. These simple, functional features ensure maintenance-free operation.
Extract Div. of Wamgroup, 817-232-2678 www.waminc.com

Bin Discharger
The Vibra-Jet bin discharger is an effective way to get dry bulk solids, like very fine granular materials, to gravity feed more reliably from storage silos, bins, and hoppers. Materials finer than 20 mesh (800 µm), irrespective of bulk density and shape, normally tend to pack, bridge, or hang up, but can be made to flow freely and instantly. A primary feature is the patented Vibra-Jet bin aerators mounted in the cone section, which maximize performance and improve the mass-flow characteristics of the materials being handled. Utilizing standard plant compressed air, the aerators are pulsed in predetermined zones to take advantage of high kinetic energy generated and to minimize energy requirements.
Dynamic Air Inc., St. Paul, MN 651-484-2900 www.dynamicair.com