IBC Discharge Stations
IBC Discharge Stations are generally stationary, installed at one location to discharge product on demand. The station consists of a probe and pneumatically actuated Firestone bellow. There are no moving parts.
Most IBCs (Intermediate Bulk Containers) experience material flow problems the same way any other storage vessel experiences problems. The IBC can experience problemssuch as bridging, rat holes, segregation and degredation. Ideal flow from a container is mass flow. Through mass flow, the product flow works on a first-in / first-out basis with minimal movement between particles. A majority of IBC Systems in the market have a square hopper with a 45 degree cone and small outlet with a manual gate valve. Very few materials (extremely free flowing material) will flow out of the mentioned containers without some level of difficulty. Carolina Conveying’s The Solibin System eliminates these flow problems.
Operations
In operation, the IBC System is set atop the discharge station. To discharge material the probe lifts and vibrates (optionally), creating an annular gap between it and the discharge cone, hence providing a path for material flow. This IBC System shears the entire cross section of material directly, which promotes mass flow while minimizing segregation, preventing bridging and ratholing. This is all accomplished in a dust tight fashion.
Common Advantages
- The IBC is commonly square, and features a 60 degree cone instead of a 45 degree cone.
- A large 25 outlet at the bottom replaces the typical 8 or 10 outlet on standard IBCs.
- Instead of a manual gate valve, the IBC has a cone valve.
- The cone valve is an inverted cone with lipseal that is inside of the IBC and sits in the outlet cone. When material discharge is required, the cone lifts up into the material creating an annulus for material to flow.
- Vibration may be added to further induce product flow.
- For more difficult materials, the cone can be pulsed up and down to keep the material agitated and flowing.
Videos