The base fluff, resin, pelletized, pastille, and granule polymer forms are all susceptible to flow problems. These may include blocking, sticking, erratic flow, inconsistent discharge, poor mixing and lack of first-in, first-out flow, as well as inadequate devolatilization (purging), tempering, catalyst deactivation, heating, drying, and cooling.

In addition to resolving flow problems, we enable our clients to achieve the following goals:

• Improved polymer tailoring to application (customer focus)
• Tighter specs on polymer properties through more rapid and reliable product change-overs (six-sigma)
• Smaller, more frequent batches (JIT)
• Reduced work-in-process and finished goods inventories (lean production)
• Tighter monitoring, tracking, and control of process variables (process automation)
• Elimination of low value-adding steps (efficiency optimization)
• Reduced operating and capital costs (margin realization)
• Debottleneck existing process limitations (level lined)

All of these areas are impacted by poor solids flow behavior as a result of the combination of incompatible solids flow properties and equipment design details. To solve flow problems in existing solids handling systems or to develop recommendations for new systems, Jenike & Johanson uses a scientific approach based on fundamental flow properties of bulk materials, including cohesive strength, internal and wall friction, compressibility, and permeability.

If your plant is currently experiencing flow problems, Jenike & Johanson can help you. If you are planning for a new plant or production line, we can apply our industry-leading technology and years of experience to avoid process upsets due to mishandling of materials that are prone to arching, ratholing,flooding, or segregation .

KEY ENGINEERING SERVICES

• Stripping/purge/degassing/drying vessels (including: J-Purge™, patented gas introduction/solids flow enhancing internals)
• Conveyors: screw, belt, pneumatic (dilute/dense), bucket, aeromechanical
• Gas-solids separators: dust collectors, elutriators, cyclones, bag filters
• Storage: bins, silos, hoppers
• Feeders: rotary, screw, belt, disc, vibratory
• Blenders: tumble, ribbon, fluidized, gravity (tube, controlled flow), recirculating
• Valves/gates: rotary, ball, dump, butterfly, knife, flop, diverter, slide

In order to formulate an approach to solving or preventing a problem, we need to learn as much as possible about your application to ensure that handling problems do not occur with the new equipment.

TYPICAL PROJECT APPROACH

• Plant visit for troubleshooting, understanding plant requirements, and process auditing
• Flow property testing of bulk solids
• Root cause analysis of handling/feeding/conveying/processing problems
• Functional design of solids handling equipment
• Detailed engineering design of equipment
• Supply of custom designed equipment

For over forty years, our team of experienced engineers has been providing proven technological solutions that are cost-effective and safe. Contact Jenike & Johanson to help you solve and prevent bulk solids handling problems.