Bulk bag discharger helps boost productivity
July 1st 2005

Keen to address both safety and productivity issues, Manchester-based M & I Materials approached Flexicon (Europe) for help with handling monopentery-thritol used in the manufacture of its Midel 7131 synthetic compound.

Flexicon designed, installed and commissioned a bulk bag discharger and conveyor system that would address safety while helping the company double output. A further consideration was that moisture should be prevented during the handling process.

The system includes a bulk bag frame mounted on load cells, heavy duty, 1450 round, screw conveyor mounted in a UHMW polyethylene tube, D-type hopper, 2.2kW geared drive assembly, 70° discharge transition, agitator and flexifinger, and control panel.

It enables a 1t FIBC to be positioned ahead of the discharger by fork lift truck and attached to a cruciform by four corner loops, from where the remote control operated crane hoists the FIBC into position above the base hopper.

When lowered and positioned correctly, the FIBC outlet remains tied. With access via a door in the front of the hopper chute, the outlet is tugged through and engaged into an Iris valve that is then closed prior to untying the discharge ties of the bag. This enables instant control of the speed with which material is allowed to flow from bag to base hopper, although generally the valve is fully opened to allow free flow into the 200L capacity hopper.

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