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.
Our Solution
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
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
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.
Contact us to discuss our full-range of engineering services and how we can strive to meet your feeder needs.
