ISL Cone Valve Technology for Bulk Bag Discharging
14 March 2007
ISL (Ivan Semenenko Ltd.), have further enhanced the design of the unique 'Bulk Bag Bin' (BBB) to accommodate the range of FIBCs from 1250mm – whether square, rectangular or circular section – down to 600mm square, all on one standard, multipurpose activation frame. The BBB also enables the fitting of long and short socked outlets from 200mm to 600mm in diameter, as well as flat-bottomed FIBCs, with or without liner.
ACTIVATION FRAME
At the heart of the latest bulk bag bin enhancement is the patented activation frame, which utilizes, in the initial discharge sequence, the product weight to push a support plate progressively lower and simultaneously move a series of urging plates into the sides of the bulk bag. This simultaneous operation continues with the bulk bag following the support plate down, allowing it to form into a hopper. At the same time, the urging plates lift any static product into the flow path.
ZERO FLOW DETECTION
With many cohesive products a hollow core or stable rathole can be the result when static hopper discharge systems are used, but with the ISL bulk bag bin, even as a 'core' forms the dynamics of the activation frame will overcome the problem. With ISL-developed software, which detects zero flow, the cone valve is brought into operation and raises the support frame to the desired height and frequency.
In sequence, the bag is lifted and the urging frames automatically move into and away from the bulk bag as determined by the control software. The use of a pair of support frames to hold two loops of the FIBC assists in retaining the bag, and ensures there is a requisite degree of tension whilst the manipulation process is underway.
BULK BAG BIN ADVANTAGES
The enhanced ISL Bulk Bag Bin retains proven benefits:
- The ISL system provides flexibility of operation and allows the bulk bags to be mounted onto and removed from the BBB in dust-contained areas and not in the process area itself
- The bulk bag bin can be used directly in process with dust containment, batch and continuous weighing direct from the FIBC without the need for hoppers and feeders located below
- It has the unique feature of being able to take a part-empty big bag bin off process without any untying or retying of the outlet or fitting of additional components to the outlet FIBC sock, thus maintaining product containment
- The BBB can also be removed part empty and replaced with another BBB, or even an IBC or sack tip bin, with no manual intervention, thus giving total manufacturing flexibility
