Have you ever observed that a properly designed bulk material handling system always commences from the feeder? i.e. first equipment in the system or section of the system is always a feeder.
Have you ever wondered why? Why should feeder be the first equipment for a well-planned and designed bulk material handling system? Here is the answer.
The feeder is not only an integral part but the first equipment of bulk material system!
The feeder decides the magnitude of the load on the system. Thus, the system load condition and thereby its performance is governed/controlled by the feeder.
For example, a belt conveyor conveys the material from one place to another for whatever quantity is loaded onto it. There may be the following conditions:
- Underload: If the quantity loaded on the belt is less than its capability, it will run at partial capacity. This means low ROI.
- Overload: While in the case of the quantity loaded is excessive then the conveyor will be overloaded, there may be spillage or even failure.
- Optimum load: In the case of the correct magnitude of the load, the belt conveyor will work efficiently.
The belt conveyor which has a correct magnitude of the load will have optimum performance, long life, maximum monetary return from the investment. Similarly, if the receiving equipment is crusher instead of the conveyor, then, it will also have underloading or overloading or correct-loading with the consequential outcome.
Thus for efficient execution of the entire system, it is mandatory that feeder should be carefully designed.
In some cases, it may happen that the starting equipment may not be a feeder, but the other first equipment might actually be functioning indirectly as feeder only.
For example, in a reclaiming system, the first equipment could be bucket wheel reclaimer. It is named as Reclaimer, but in reality, it is functioning as reclaimer and also as a feeder.
The intermediate need of feeder in the bulk material weighing systems!
The bulk material handling systems are made-up of handling equipment in series. The material from one equipment flows into second equipment, and from there to third equipment and so on.
As far as these equipment in series are operating simultaneously and at the same capacity, then there may not be the requirement for feeder at an intermediate point as it may disturb the stabilized flow pattern.
However, if the interconnected systems have a difference in operational time or difference in operational capacity or difference in both together, then feeder would be needed at the junction of such two systems.
AAG Engineering has decades of experience in supplying various types of feeder across various industries. For efficient running of your plant contact our sales representatives at sales-west@aagengg.com or visit our website at www.aagengg.com.
Contact us today for more information!
