PNEUMATI-CON® Dilute Phase Pneumatic Conveying Systems
BFC Series Bulk Bag Unloader for Pneumatic Conveyors
Eliminates dust during untying, discharging, collapse, retying and removal of bulk bags
Flexicon's BFC Series Bulk Bag Unloaders for operation in-line with pneumatic conveyor systems eliminate dust during untying, discharging, collapse, retying, and removal of bulk bags while increasing safety and promoting complete discharge of bag contents. The lower section of the unloader shown is comprised of a small surge hopper that directs material into the throat of a variable speed rotary air lock feeder for volumetric or gravimetric metering into positive- or negative-pressure pneumatic conveyor lines. The unloader is also available with a Flexicon flexible screw conveyor, or with a universal flanged hopper outlet for connection to other conveyors or process equipment.
The unloader design features a bag-to-conveyor interface comprised of two sections, the uppermost of which contains a manual SPOUT-LOCK® clamp ring positioned atop a pneumatically actuated TELE-TUBE® telescoping tube, allowing dust-tight connections between the bag spout and hopper, as well as automatic tensioning of the bag as it empties to promote flow and evacuation.
The telescoping tube raises the clamp ring assembly that seals the clean side of the bag spout to the clean side of the telescoping tube, then lowers until the bag spout is pulled taut. Once the spout is untied, the telescoping assembly exerts continual downward tension on the spout, elongating the bag as it empties.
The high-integrity, dust-tight seal between bag spout and clamp ring allows full-open discharge from bag spouts of all popular diameters, eliminating the need for iris valves commonly employed to lessen dust escape.
A BAG-VAC® dust collector integral to the dust-tight system creates negative pressure to collapse empty bags prior to retying and disconnection, eliminating dust emitted during manual flattening of empty bags.
An optional POWER-CINCHER® pneumatically actuated flow control valve employs a series of curved, articulated stainless steel rods to cinch the spout concentrically on a horizontal axis for easy tie offs, and vertically in a tight zigzag pattern to prevent leakage of fine powders.
The unloader is also equipped with optional FLOW-FLEXER® bag activators that raise and lower opposite bottom edges of the bag at timed intervals, loosening compacted materials and promoting flow through the discharge spout.
BFC Series unloaders (shown) are characterized by a cantilevered I-beam with electric hoist and trolley to raise and position bulk bags without the aid of a forklift. Also offered are BFF Series unloaders equipped with top-mounted receiving cups and removable bag-lifting frames for forklift loading of bulk bags at low cost.
Construction is of carbon steel with durable industrial finish, or stainless steel finished to industrial, food, dairy or pharmaceutical standards.
P-1303