BFM Global's development team has used its Seeflex 040E material to create the BFM Venting Surge Hopper - a new solution to bridging, a common problem for manufacturers processing bulk powders.

Working closely with rotary valve manufacturers like Airlock India and Gericke RotaVal, the team at BFM Global created its new product as an innovative alternative to traditional vented surge hoppers made from steel.

"We've combined the benefits of our transparent and flexible Seeflex 040E material with the BFM fitting snap-fit system into a uniquely-shaped hopper with built-in product and airflow separation," said BFM's Technical Lead, Matthew Bailey.

"The Venting Surge hopper has an internal partition that allows powder to flow down one side of the partition and displaced air to flow up and out the other.  It snap-fits into a custom-made spigot that has a matching separation plate," said Bailey.

The most significant difference over steel hoppers is the transparency of the walls, made from Seeflex 040E urethane material which means the product can be seen flowing – or, in the case of bridging,  not flowing.  

"This is a massive advantage over traditional surge hoppers," said Blair McPheat, CEO of BFM Global and the inventor of the BFM® fitting system. "You'll immediately see any blockage, and the key advantage of using a flexible material like urethane is that you can easily just 'massage' away any bridges using your hands” he said. “Of course, you could also use additional flow aids like air fluidizer valves or mechanical massagers, but the key difference is you can actually see that your product is flowing freely.”

https://www.bfmfitting.com/products/venting-surge-hopper-connector

 

BFM venting machine and spigot

(Below) BFM venting machine in action

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