Conveying Biomass and Waste

In May, UniTrak will be exhibiting at the International Powder & Bulk Solids Conference and Exhibition in Rosemont, IL, May 3-5, 2016. In advance of the show, our Leadership Blog will feature a series of articles on topics that will be of interest to show attendees. This week’s blog on conveying biomass and waste is the fifth in our International Powder & Bulk Solids Conference and Exhibition blog series.

Waste recycling and producing energy from alternative fuel sources such as biomass are increasingly important activities in the 21st century. These applications often present challenges where difficult-to-handle materials must be effectively conveyed at various stages of the production process. This blog highlights some of the ways that UniTrak equipment can help managers to address some of the challenges associated with conveying biomass and waste within their facilities.

Conveying Biomass and Waste: Biomass Applications  

In biomass applications, conveyors are often used to move materials between the receiving facility, screening, shredding and crushing stations, the storage system, and the reclamation system. Depending upon the particular facility design and the processing equipment used, choosing the right conveyor can be a key to efficient operations.

TipTrakTM bucket conveyors and UniFlex flexible screw conveyors from UniTrak are two equipment designs that have applicability in biomass conveying applications. These conveyors are a proven solution for moving biomass materials in a reliable and uniform flow.

TipTrakTM bucket conveyors are the preferred choice where large volumes of biomass material must be moved vertically. The gentle handling feature of TipTrakTM bucket conveyors means that even fragile biomass materials, such as wood pellets, can be safely handled with no product degradation or breakage. In addition, TipTrakTM PEC or Monocoque  designs can address the dusting that often occurs when handling wood pellets or other biomass materials.

UniFlex flexible screw conveyors are an excellent equipment solution for applications where smaller amounts of material need to be conveyed over shorter distances. UniFlex flexible screw conveyors are fully enclosed conveyors which come in two sizes, with capacities up to 650 cubic feet of material per hour. Like its larger TipTrakTM cousin, the UniFlex flexible screw conveyor features gentle handling where fragile materials can be safely moved without fear of degradation or breakage. See our earlier blog post on Biomass conveying here.

Conveying Biomass and Waste: Recycling Applications

UniTrak equipment can be successfully used in both solid waste and wastewater recycling applications. In these applications, conveyors are often used to transport solid wastes and removed contaminants through the recycling process. In some applications, addressing explosion risk is a key requirement.

UniTrak has provided bulk material handling equipment solutions to wastewater treatment facilities, recovery technology companies, and secondary processors. These applications typically involve conveying removed contaminants (such as struvite pellets) into sorting and storage locations.

In many waste recycling applications it is necessary to prevent material dusting and ignition that could lead to an explosion. TipTrakTM Monocoque bucket conveyors and UniFlex flexible screw conveyors control fugitive dust emissions by virtue of their enclosed designs. Most importantly, TipTrakTM Monocoque fully sealed units are available in explosion-proof configurations that are especially designed for use in explosive applications.

If you have an application that requires conveying biomass and waste, UniTrak is your preferred equipment partner. We have extensive experience in helping customers the world over to address the issues of conveying bulk materials in a variety of applications. To find out how UniTrak equipment can address your application needs, please visit us at the International Powder & Bulk Solids Conference and Exhibition,booth 2425, or contact our sales department directly.