Continuous weigh feeding

To model the amidation and cyclization reactions, an internal standard was weighed into the feed, and the feed placed on a balance for continuous weighing during the reaction. The HPLC system was calibrated using units of mol/kg, so that density effects could be neglected. A series of experiments... 

Except for continuous weighing, control of the flow of solids is less precise than that of fluids. Several devices used for control of feed rates are shown schematically in Figure 3.7. They all employ variable speed drives and are individually calibrated to relate speed and flow rate. Ordinarily these devices are in effect manually set, but if the solid material is being fed to a reactor, some property of the mixture could be used for feed back control. The continuous belt weigher is capable ordinarily of 1% accuracy and even 0.1% when necessary. For processes such as neutralizations with lime, addition of the solid to process in slurry form is acceptable. The slurry is prepared as a batch of definite concentration and charged with a pump under flow control, often with a diaphragm pump whose stroke can be put under feedback control. For some applications it is adequate or necessary to feed weighed amounts of solids to a process on a timed basis. 

The feed tank is mounted on the ceiling using chains and a weighing cell. Continuous weighing of the feed vessel stands for an exact mass balance not influenced by pulsation of the feed pump, volumetric or viscosity effects. To ensure that the connected feed pipes do not block with solidifying liquid they are equipped with an explosionproof electric heating wire which holds an adjustable temperature. 

Additional considerations, such as automatic weighing, feed control, liquid metering, and automatic control, may be essential for continuous processes. 

The feed prepared in this way is delivered from the bin to the burner unit and it is weighed on a steady basis into the burner. Waelz slag under 20 nun in size is continuously weighed as it is conveyed from a separate bin to the burner unit. 

The ideal way to mix continuously would be to have continuous weigh feeders which would continuously feed in the correct ratio to give the desired formula of rubber, chemicals and liquid directly into the continuous rubber mixing machine. However, most rubber formulas have on average 15 different chemicals to make the complete formula, so it is very difficult to do this weighing continuously due to the high cost and varied nature of the chemicals involved. 

Process industries frequently need to weigh and control the flow rate of bulk material for optimum performance of such devices as grinders or pulverizers, or for controlling additives, eg, to water suppHes. A scale can be installed in a belt conveyor, or a short belt feeder can be mounted on a platform scale. Either can be equipped with controls to maintain the feed rate within limits by controlling the operation of the device feeding the material to the conveyor. Direct mass measurement with a nuclear scale can also be used to measure and control such a continuous stream of material. 

It is usually done by computer controlled electronic weighing scales that supply precise amounts of each ingredient to a high intensity mixer. The still-dry, free-flowing blend is then charged to a feed hopper where it is screw fed into a continuous mixer such as an extruder and/or kneader. Under the action of a mixer s reciprocating screw in the confined volume of the mixer chamber, the blend begins to flux or masticate into the required plastic state. 

Starch slurry make-down systems are designed to prepare a uniform suspension, using batch or continuous systems. In modem paper mills, automated batch or continuous systems are used. Water content and bulk density will affect the flow of dry starch.90 In the batch slurry system, weighed increments of starch are drawn from the silo and periodically added to a measured quantity of water in the make-up tank. The suspension is screened and automatically pumped to a larger storage tank on demand by a level transmitter. Continuous make-down of starch slurry is accomplished by simultaneously feeding starch and water at controlled rates into the slurry make-down tank. The dry starch is metered with a volumetric screw feeder. The slurry is screened before dispersion by batch or continuous cooking. 

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