This content was written and submitted by the supplier. It has only been modified to comply with this publication’s space and style.
The bulk bag unloader system, from National Bulk Equipment, Inc., handling highly caustic, severely agglomerated material, operates as a closed process; ensuring the protection of operators from migrant, airborne material and eliminating the possibility for contamination of material in-process. The highly compressible material requires integrated bulk bag conditioning to provide sufficient material supply. A sequential, 4-stage process, including: hydraulic de-blocking rams each with 28,000 pounds of force; hydraulic massage paddles each with 2,200 pounds of paddle pressure; an E3™ enclosed, bag spout interface to collect dust and aid discharge; and automatic bulk bag loop retractors to ensure complete material discharge, work together to condition the material from football-sized chunks to ¼-inch, or smaller particles. The enclosed system conveys the material downstream at a rate of 18,000 pounds per hour.
NBE integrated automation centralizes system control, communication, monitoring, and reporting using dust-tight enclosures, and a single, UL listed HMI, designed and built by NBE. Operator exposure to caustic material was eliminated, and operator physical ergonomics were optimized as a result of rigorous NBE risk assessment procedures. NBE expertise in specifying, designing, and manufacturing process systems to application-appropriate codes, standards, and regulations ensured system compliance at start-up.