Ajax Equipment, Bolton, UK, has improved hopper flow at a Scandinavian food manufacturer which processes puffed oats and rice. The design of the company’s main storage hopper was causing segregation, leading to quality issues arising from poor distribution in the size and mix of grains during bagging operations. To counter segregation, and improve hopper flow, Ajax supplied a two part anti-segregation system in stainless steel comprising a dispersing plate and flow insert. 

 

Ajax points out that segregation can occur when there is movement of a bulk solid which has particles of varying size, density or even shape. When material moves during hopper discharge, particles of different sizes may separate leading to similar sized particles becoming concentrated in regions within the bulk rather than staying evenly dispersed. The dispersing plate prevents segregation when the material is entering the hopper. The introduction of an inverted single cone insert to the bottom of the hopper ensures a more even drawdown of grain from all regions of the hopper, not just a narrow zone. According to Ajax technical director Eddie McGee, inserts can be used to improve many of a hopper’s flow characteristics. “The flow and live storage volume of a hopper can be greatly improved and issues such as arching and ratholing prevented, by using an inverted single cone, twin cone or cone and cylinder inserts.” www.ajax.co.uk 

 

 

Ajax hopper flow insert