Conveyance systems gravity feed

In the case of low-dose formulations, it is important that the feed system convey material without allowing the material to segregate. All of the feed system arrangements shown in Fig. 6.1 rely on gravity feed for the powder to reach the force feeding screws. Feed systems i, ii, and iii can be outfitted with an agitator in the intermediate hopper which will aid in powder flow and delumping. 

All single-screw extruders have several common characteristics, as shown in Figs. 1.1 and 1.2. The main sections of the extruder include the barrel, a screw that fits inside the barrel, a motor-drive system for rotating the screw, and a control system for the barrel heaters and motor speed. Many innovations on the construction of these components have been developed by machine suppliers over the years. A hopper is attached to the barrel at the entrance end of the screw and the resin is either gravity-fed (flood-fed) into the feed section of the screw or metered (starve-fed) through the hopper to the screw flights. The resin can be in either a solid particle form or molten. If the resin feedstock is in the solid form, typically pellets (or powders), the extruder screw must first convey the pellets away from the feed opening, melt the resin, and then pump and pressurize it for a down-... 

Rotary, star valve feeder used especially as solids feeders for dilute-phase pneumatic conveying to provide an air lock and to feed solids. Seal/wear depends on Ap and abrasiveness of powder. For pressure systems keep Ap <80 kPa for vacuum systems Ap <40 kPa. Provide an air vent to take the air loss away from the gravity flow of the solids and to control the filling of the star. 

Gravity solution feed systems usually drop the chemical into the process stream from a single pipe or a perforated pipe distributor. The chemical solution is normally prepared from dry chemical or diluted hquid chemical (Figure 2-2). Gases are not often conveyed to the point of application by gravity. Where this is practiced, the gas is first dissolved in water to create a solution. This method is not common because dosage control of the solution is difficult. 

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