Conceptual & Functional Engineering - Feeders

Overview

Feeders Overview

A feeder is essential for controlling the flow rate of bulk solids from silos, bins, and hoppers. The feeder is an integral part of a storage system because it can have a major impact on the flow pattern in the storage vessel – it can either maintain reliable material flow or induce poor flow, segregation, or flooding of fine powders. Proper selection of a screw, belt, rotary valve (rotary air lock), or vibratory feeder should be integrated into the material handling system design early in the process.

Jenike & Johanson specializes in feeder assessment, whether troubleshooting problems or implementing a new design for a challenging bulk material. Review our solution approach below, which is based on proven powder and bulk solids theories, material flow properties, and decades of experience designing and integrating reliably operating feeders.

Belt feeder conceptual design for uniform flow.

Custom designed mass flow screw feeders.

Our Approach

How do we design effective feeders?

Jenike & Johanson provides effective functional engineering for feeders. Our designs consider:

Configuration that meets your needs (e.g., throughput, spatial constraints)
Critical bulk material flow properties that help to determine feeder features
Features for screws, belts or aprons, and rotary valves:
- Screw: tapered shaft and increasing pitch to maintain mass flow
- Belt: interface design between hopper and feeder for mass flow
- Rotary valve: spool above rotary valve including vent design
- Vibratory: interface design to ensure mass flow discharge
Operational requirements: e.g., speed, power, torque, or special features

Expertise

Experience Highlights

Design/supply of 450 mm dia. twin mass flow screws for feeding wood chips
Retrofit of coal belt feeder with innovative interface that allows belt reversing
Development of specialized micro-dosing feeder for granular product
Design of 300 mm dia. mass flow screw for hot lime at 800° F (427º C)
Design of air assisted/fluidized feed system for ultra-low density microspheres
Supply of high accuracy biomass dosing feeder operating at high pressure

Next Steps

What's Next?

After completion of the feeder’s functional design, Jenike & Johanson can provide mechanical design and structural engineering services that result in drawings needed for fabrication. This additional engineering task is a vital step for achieving successful feeder implementation. We can also supply mass flow screw feeders.

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