Handling Bulk Materials From Bins - Principles Of Flow Of Solids In Bins

An efficient storage plant contains a known available volume of bulk solid, and feeds it at the required time, the prescribed rate and without degradation of the product. A storage bin may also perform other functions, such as blending different grades, degasifying aerated powders and isolating different gaseous media. A contact bed of particles flowing by gravity in counter-current with a gas or liquid may be used as a continuous reactor. In order to design an efficient storage plant or contact-bed reactor, it is necessary to be aware of the problems which can arise in flow and storage. The typical problems are no flow, erratic flow, flushing, insufficient flow, lack of designed capacity, segregation, degradation of the product and level control.