AZO, Osterburken, Germany, will be exhibiting, among several other innovations, a new design of vibratory hopper bottom at POWTECH on Stand 1-356. It ensures safe discharge of powdery, crystalline, fatty and granular bulk materials from hoppers, which are emptied completely without leaving residue. Funnel flow and bridging in the hopper are prevented. The system can be used for virtually all bulk materials – even those with poor flow properties – in the foods, plastics, chemicals and pharmaceuticals industries. Its main advantages include:

•    Reliable discharge and even fall of the product column (mass flow).
•    Hygienic design: smooth internal contours in the silo/hopper without any changes in diameter, smooth surfaces on the exterior, resulting in easy cleaning; no inaccessible cavities and exposed screw threads.
•    Elastomer sleeve is easy to assemble and has a precise fit.
•    The sleeve is silicone-free, conductive and is food-grade approved; assembly using clamping segments and pressure fittings.
•    Screw locking by means of wedge locking washers.
•    Shock pressure proof to 2 bar (overpressure) and vacuum-proof.
•    Long elastic area, resulting in excellent disconnection between the fixed part of the hopper and the vibratory bottom.
 

The lateral, imbalance vibrator sets the vibratory bottom in horizontal, circular vibration. Vibrations are transmitted to the material’s column via the simultaneously vibrating discharge cone inside the vibratory bottom. This sets the bulk material in motion and the level drops evenly without funnel flow or bridging. The bulk material reaches the outlet safely through the annular gap. Vibration intensity can be adjusted at the imbalance vibrator and depends on what materials are being discharged and the required discharge rate. www.azo.com
 

AZO vibratory hopper bottom: suitable for food-grade applications

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