This document summarizes a presentation by Bert Bertolo of Spiroflow Systems about solving a customer's complex powder handling issues. The customer, a cement manufacturer, was having problems conveying their highly abrasive cement powder. Spiroflow tested the material and recommended a solution involving a bulk bag discharger, flexible screw conveyors, and two aero mechanical conveyors to move the powder from shipping containers to an outdoor silo. This system successfully conveyed the material without issues. The customer was very satisfied with the results and ability to empty containers much faster.

1. Solving Complex Powder Handling
Issues
Presented by:
Bert Bertolo
Regional Sales Manager
May 6, 2014
GLOBAL LEADERS IN MATERIAL HANDLING
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2. Safes, Vaults & Physical Security
Equipment
Burglary & Bullet Resistant
Fire Resistant Up to 2 Hours
The Customer:
A Leading Manufacturer in Ontario Canada

3. Commercial
Jewelry
Pharmaceutical
Banking
Pawn
Residential
High Security Market
Segments

4. Castable Cement Material
Extremely High Compressive Strength
Very Fine Powder
Highly Abrasive
Extremely Moisture Absorbent
Significantly Compacted
Inconsistent Flow Characteristics
Bridges Easily
The Material: Nearly Impenetrable
Proprietary Cement Mixture

5. The Objective:
Move Material from Shipping Container to
Outdoor Silo

6. 20 tons of material
arrives monthly
By container load
from Overseas
In single loop,
single trip, lined
bulk bags
20 bulk bags must
be emptied into an
outdoor storage
silo
The Objective:
Move Material from Shipping Container to
Outdoor Silo

7. INVESTMENT: $40,000 Investment
PROBLEM: Cement material accumulated in the conveying
line rendering it inoperable
INITIAL TESTING: None
ACTION: Worked with vendor to resolve issue
RESULT: No Resolution
LOSS: $40,000 initial investment +
Cost of interim conveying by crane +
Cost of lost productivity of staff
Their 1st Material Handling System:
Vacuum Pneumatic Conveyor

8. Interim Conveying:
Renting a Crane Every Month for Over a Year
$$$

9. Starting Over:
Finding the Right Conveying Solution
RELIABLE, CLOSED System
Convey without material build up
or excessive wear
Unload 2,000 lb bulk bags in 30
minutes or less
Unload bulk bags inside
Convey to silo outside
Operate in temperature & weather
extremes in Ontario, Canada
Dust free to
Minimize material exposure to
moisture
Provide clean, safe work
environment
Maximum product flow
Minimal product loss
Prove recommended solution
works before purchase
Provide a Solution Guarantee

10. The Right Conveying Solution: Started with Testing
Spiroflow Systems Test Lab
‘Having our cement powder thoroughly tested was a vital step in the process. It gave
us confidence that Spiroflow’s recommended solution would work as specified. The
company’s performance guarantee also gave us piece of mind.’
President Peter Gauthier

11. Spiroflow Systems Recommended Solution

12. Recommended Solution: Single Trip Bulk Bag Discharger
4 Corner Bag Massage
Double Rubber Dust
Seal Membrane
Pneumatic Bag
Piercing Knife
Vibration
Dual Flex Screws
w/Proscrews at 45°
Hopper Agitator
Air Pads

13. Disposable Single Trip Bags
designed without a bottom spout
Forklift loaded as standard but can
have an integral hoist & trolley
Static knife as standard but can
have a pneumatically actuated
knife assembly
Dust control by design with
Double Dust Membrane
Available with many options to
suit each individual application
Type 4 Single Trip Bulk Bag Discharger

14. Type 4 Single Trip Bulk Bag Discharger

15. Recommended Solution: Dual Flexible Screw Conveyors
Fitted with Proscrews
Positioned at bottom of
hopper at 45°
3 ft. long with SS tube
Deliver material from bulk
bag discharger into
vertically positioned Aero
Mechanical Conveyor
Flow inducement with
Hopper Agitators, Vibrator
& Air Pads

16. Flexible Screw Conveyor Spirals
Spiroflow offers various types
of spiral, subject to the
application
All spirals are heated treated to
provide strength & long life
For products with high bulk
densities, a heavy duty spiral
may be specified & used in
conjunction with a steel outer
tube for abrasive products

17. Flexible Screw Conveyors: BENEFITS
Dust Free
Easy to Clean
Gentle Handling
Constant Remixing
Low Maintenance
Low Cost
Multiple Inlets & Outlets

18. Recommended Solution: 2 Aero Mechanical Conveyors
1st Aero Mechanical Conveyor
13 ft Tall
Positioned Vertically
Delivers cement powder
From the bulk bag
unloader
To a 2nd AMC
Inlet
Outlet

19. 2nd Aero Mechanical Conveyor
38 ft. Long
Positioned at 45°
Delivers cement
powder from the
vertical AMC, through
the roof, to an outdoor
storage silo
Through Roof
Recommended Solution: 2 Aero Mechanical Conveyors

20. Aero Mechanical Conveyors:
BENEFITS
Conveys Difficult Materials
Total Batch Transfer
Dust Free/No Air Filtration
Required
Low Power Consumption
Maintains Mixtures
Gentle Conveying Action
Operates at Any Angle
Goes Around Corners
Multiple Inlets & Outlets

21. Aero Mechanical Conveyors:
BASIC OPERATION

22. Aero Mechanical Conveyors:
HOW THEY WORK
Mechanical ‘Pneumatic’ Conveying:
The speed of the disks traveling inside the
conveying tube draws material into the
slipstream until its centrifugally ejected at
the outlet.
Discs are attached to a continuous cable
loop that runs in a sealed pipe system
with drive & return sprockets at each end.

23. Aero Mechanical Conveyors:
CONSTRUCTION
Conveying Tube: Epoxy Painted Carbon Steel or Stainless Steel
Conveying Ropes: Carbon or Stainless Steel
Discs: Food Grad Polyurethane

24. Recommended Solution: Custom Control Panel
Conveying System Operated
with Control Panel
NEMA 4 Certified Panel
Low Level Probe in
hopper of bulk bag
discharger
4 Corner Massage
Vibration
VFDs for Flex Screws
Motor Starters for
Agitators & AMCs

25. The Results: A Very Satisfied Customer
‘Spiroflow’s equipment handles our
cement powder quite well and actually
empties each bulk bag in only 15
minutes. Our goal was to empty each
20 ton container in 10 hours and we
have cut that time in half!’
Peter Gauthier
President

26. Customized Systems?
Bring it on!

27. Why Spiroflow Systems
Established 1971 with worldwide service & support network
Pioneer & recognized global leader of bulk handling
solutions with facilities in the US, UK & Canada
40+ years of powder handling experience
Material Transfer & packaging expertise
Process guarantee on equipment performance
Past three years recognized in the top 50 growth companies
in Charlotte
400% Revenue growth over last five years
Your Perfect Partner for Bulk Material Handling Systems

28. Offering 14 Types of Bulk Bag Dischargers
Ranging from simple support frames to Total Containment Systems for
dairy, pharmaceutical & various food applications
Dust Free Bulk Bag Fillers Designed for Versatility &
Adaptability Low, medium & high volume applications
Full array of automated features, Patented features
Complete Line of Conveying Systems
Flexible Screw, Aero Mechanical, Tubular Drag, Wrap &
Pneumatic Systems
Auxiliary Equipment
IBC, Octabin & Drum Emptiers, Sack Dump Stations, Bag Packers &
Continuous Mixing Systems, Drum filling systems
Automation & Control Systems
Control panels for powder processing equipment to fully integrated plant
automation
What We Do: Provide the most innovative powder handling
solutions for customers around the world
Your Partner, Not just a supplier

29. Questions
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GLOBAL LEADERS IN MATERIAL HANDLING
Booth #1721
704-246-0900
spiroflowsystems.com
info@spiroflowsystems.com