Conveying Hazardous Powders

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 hazardous powders is the third in our International Powder & Bulk Solids Conference and Exhibition blog series.

Successfully conveying hazardous powders requires a completely closed system to avoid fugitive emissions and exposure of personnel. Using the Hazmat classification system as a rough guide, hazardous powders may be broken down into the following types:

• Toxic (poisonous) powders
• Explosive powders
• Flammable powders, including powders that may spontaneously combust
• Powders that are dangerous when wet
• Corrosive powders
• Radioactive powders

Sometimes, multiple challenges exist within the same application. For example, it is not uncommon to encounter materials such as antimony powder which is both toxic and explosive when a dust-air mixture is present.

Conveying hazardous powders: challenges

Employing conveyors which are fully enclosed and sealed can reduce the risks associated with conveying hazardous powders. Fully sealed conveyors act to contain the product as it transits the conveyor, preventing any fugitive emissions which could harm personnel or create a toxic or explosive environment.

At the same time, a fully sealed conveyor can prevent the conveyed material from coming into contact with the external environment – a concern for materials that can become dangerous should they come into contact with moisture, for example.

Conveying hazardous powders: TipTrakTM Monocoque bucket conveyors

With TipTrakTM Monocoque bucket conveyors, UniTrak has helped customers in facilities the world over to address some of the challenges associated with conveying hazardous powders.

In continuous processing applications where conveying hazardous powders is a requirement, TipTrakTMMonocoque bucket conveyors are often an excellent equipment solution. These conveyors feature a completely sealed design that ensures that the material is fully contained as it moves through the conveyor.  Features and advantages of TipTrakTM Monocoque conveyors are the following:

• A fully sealed design, with gasketing between sections and around all access doors, ensures material containment, protects the product from contact with moisture and the external environment, and provides gas- and dust-tight operation;
• Suitable for applications involving products that require a purge gas or where the conveyor must be operated under positive or negative pressures;
• The polymer interlocking bucket assembly provides a fully conductive ground path and prevents product spillage which could lead to dust or accumulation within the conveyor;
• Explosion-proof motors and explosion vent panels provide additional safety and protection against the risk of explosion;
• Optional ports for connection to an internal dust collection system are available;
• Ground straps drain off any static charge accumulated while the conveyor is in operation.

If you have an application that requires safely conveying hazardous powders, UniTrak is your preferred equipment partner. We have extensive experience in helping customers the world over to address the issues of conveying hazardous 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.