In many processing facilities, the grinding or milling of products is a key element in the process. However, transportation and conveying are often an afterthought to the design and implementation of the production process. Many times, conveying is added or altered due to increased production capacity, or changes in the production process. Whatever the reason, often the planning of conveyor selection and design doesn’t receive the consideration it deserves, thereby making it a ripe target for many of the problems that a processing facility with a focus on milling can face.
3. FEATURE
THE
MISSING LINK by John Eiting, sales engineer, Modern Process
Equipment Corporation, United States
I
n many processing facilities, the In January 2013, society saw a focus on staff. These advances in technology
grinding or milling of products is a controlling the risk of explosions within ham- and the increase in regulations, codes
key element in the process. However, mer mills, with much of the risk associated and standards have increased the
transportation and conveying are often an with these dangerous dust explosions being safety in plants and have reduced the
afterthought to the design and implemen- placed directly on the shoulders of the proc- occurrence of dust explosions; but one
tation of the production process. Many ess that creates the dust in the first place: big problem still exists: they do not
times, conveying is added or altered bucket elevators and pneumatic conveying address the underlying issue
due to increased production capacity, systems. of dust. These means
or changes in the production process. of conveying inher-
Whatever the reason, often the planning A balancing game ently generate
of conveyor selection and design doesn’t These systems produce dust as a result of dust, and without
receive the consideration it deserves, their daily operation, thus, when using bucket first addressing
thereby making it a ripe target for many elevators or pneumatic systems, decreasing this issue, prevent-
of the problems that a processing facility the risk of dust explosions now requires ing the risk of dust
with a focus on milling can face. additional technology and sensors, as well explosions will always
as safety personnel and dedicated cleanup be played as a game of ‘catch-
up’.
Dust control plays
a critical part in the
conveying puzzle. If a
Figure 2
transport system is not
specifically designed to
prevent the prolifera-
tion of explosive dust,
the processing facility
must play a dangerous
balancing game between
funding additional tech-
nology and adding
labor force.
Cutting
cor-
ners on
either,
and
you will
risk dangerous
explosions that can
damage machinery and,
Figure 1 most importantly, your
workforce.
System explosions pose
32 | march - april 2013 Grain &feed millinG technoloGy
4.
5. FEATURE
a huge problem to the milling industry. Over Typical Chain-Vey configurations a year. A Chain-Vey will achieve electrical
the years, solutions have been sought in varying energy savings between $5,000 USD and
conveying systems such as bucket, screw, and Case 1 (Figure 1) $10,000 USD per year.
drag, dilute and dense-phase pneumatic. While Typical configurations can range from In summary, MPE's development of the
each system has its strengths and weaknesses, single inlet or single outlet, to a system with Chain-Vey conveyor technology meets the
none control nor reduce the generation of 10 inlets and 10 outlets with multiple twists increasingly challenging demands of bulk
dust. and turns along the way. No matter the product transport and is a flexible and
length or complexity of the design, gentle efficient alternative to traditional conveying
The superior solution product handling is maintained throughout methods.
To address the problem of the conveying process.
dust generation, Modern Process About MPE
Equipment (MPE) of Chicago, Case 2 (Figure 2) Modern Process Equipment Corporation
IL, USA has developed the In both cases above, (Figures 1 and 2), (MPE) is a leading manufacturer of parti-
Chain-Vey, a tubular drag chain the product moves through the Chain-Vey cle reduction equipment. MPE Granulizers
system that utilizes molded-on, via stainless steel chain and molded-on discs. achieve a very uniform particle grind distribu-
food-grade discs pulled by a 316 stain- This chain is extremely durable and will not tion with minimal ‘fines’ for various products
less steel chain through a stainless steel stretch, fray nor deteriorate. ranging from dry foods to chemicals and
tube. The result? A fully enclosed convey- Turns or corners in the system are even abrasive minerals. MPE specialises in
ing design that contains dust and reduces accommodated through the use of ‘sweep dry grinding applications where particle uni-
product degradation through gentle and elbows’ that can range from 10-90 degrees formity and grind consistency are desired.
energy-efficient conveying. As a point of and are designed to minimise friction. When MPE also manufactures the Chain-Vey, a
reference, the Chain-Vey acts similarly to a necessary, the design utilizes ‘live corners’ tubular drag conveyor that is specifically
bucket elevator, gently carrying segments of with rotating wheels that eliminate resist- designed for food, chemical and other bulk
product from one location to another. More ance, thereby enabling long runs and multiple powder products. The MPE Chain-Vey can
specifically, the Chain-Vey offers a multitude turn situations. transport products up to 200 feet with mini-
of additional advantages including: Typical power requirements for the mal product degradation. Sanitary and CIP
- Completely enclosed design Chain-Vey range from 1-5 HP and, when Chain-Vey designs are also offered.
- Flexible design configurations compared to alternative conveying systems,
- Long conveying distance capability such as dilute or dense-phase pneumatic
- Multiple inlets and discharge points systems, the energy savings can be as much More inforMation:
- Few moving parts and low as 90 percent. Assume that the requirement Tel: +1 773 254 3929
maintenance exists for a 100-foot conveyor length at a Email: solution@mpechicago.com
- Energy efficiency run rate of 12 hours a day and 250 days Website: www.mpechicago.com
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