CASE STUDY
Erie Technical Systems Inc. worked with a Canadian consumer of TiO2 – titanium dioxide – to develop a system for accurately dispensing the product into 55-gallon drums. The company uses TiO2 in the manufacturing of cellular polyvinyl molding and trims. Titanium dioxide is used in these products to minimize brittleness, fading of color, and cracking. The TiO2 is purchased in 2,000# FIBC's and needs to be accurately dispensed into drums for use throughout the plant. Handling titanium dioxide can be a challenge in any conditions as it tends to pack and smear. The customer was looking for a solution to allow them to realize the cost savings of purchasing the TiO2 in bulk bags and quickly and accurately packaging the material in the smaller drums. Erie Technical Systems' UltiMAX™ bulk bag unloader was equipped with a 4" FlexMAX® flexible screw conveyor and load cell kit for controlled dispensing of the material.
Challenges
- Dust Containment – Titanium dioxide can be dusty and is a category 2 carcinogen, so containment of dust was essential for operator safety.
- Flowability – Flow out of the bulk bag can be a challenge when working with TiO2.
- Accuracy – A target weight of 350#/barrel was desired with an accuracy of +/-2#. Dispensing needed to be automatic and unattended.
Solution
Erie Technical Systems Inc.'s engineering team addressed dusting concerns by providing an untie box with our V-form valve on the UltiMAX™ bulk bag discharger. Used together, the untie box contains the dust while the bag is unloading. The v-form valve allows the user to open the door, pull the outlet spout down, close the door, close the v-form valve, open the door, untie the bag, close the door and then open the valve to release the product. The untie box door is always closed, and dust contained, when the product is flowing.
To assist with product flow, ETSI provided an overhead hoist to lift and manipulate the bulk bag during discharge. Additionally, the flexor paddle option was provided to break up product compacted and settled in the bulk bag (FIBC).
The provided control system with load cells and weigh transmitter was able to deliver a +/- 2# accuracy. The system was consistent a repeatable method to package the drums with titanium dioxide.
Results
The customer was able to install and begin using the UltiMAX™ bulk bag unloader to package the Titanium Dioxide into smaller packages for use in the plant within a few days of receiving the equipment on site. Operators appreciated the inherent dust containment of the untie box and v-form valve arrangement.
Lessons Learned
It is possible to safely and accurately dispense TiO2 into drums using an UltiMAX™ bulk bag discharger in conjunction with a FlexMAX® flexible screw conveyor controlled by a loss-in-weight controller.
Erie Technical Systems Inc. can assist in custom designing equipment for the most challenging material handling applications. Most of our equipment is customized in some way to address a specific need. Contact our engineering staff today and see how our extensive experience can turn your most challenging application into a success.