Blow it and it might blow
15 Jan 2000
Keeping your powder dry is the well known method of improving the explosive potential of powder, even if it's not gunpowder. Conversely, the best method to avoid powder explosions in your plant is to keep powder moist.
To this end Holliday Dyes and Chemicals brought in Flexicon to automate a fully enclosed rotating spiral conveying solution.
Without using air as a conveying medium, the powder maintains its moisture content which is essential in limiting the risk of ignition through electrostatic charge. A totally enclosed system also protects the working environment from dust contamination.
Once 95 percent of the batch feed stock has been discharged, the conveyor switches to a trickle speed until the precise quantity of powder has been delivered.
Also, to improve the flow characteristics of the cohesive powder, prone to bridging and ratholing, two types of agitator are applied to the flow.
