Storage and Discharge of Powders and Bulk Solids

Course overview

Hoppers, silos, bins and bunkers are widely used in industry for storing bulk solids materials. However, these facilities often experience operational problems – often because facilities have been designed without knowledge of the flow characteristics of the material to be stored. This intensive, two-day course has been specifically designed to help solve problems like these.

This short course covers:

• Basics of hopper and silo design and function
• Dealing with potential problems
• Discharge aids and interfacing to feeders

Subjects covered

We'll cover the basics in operation, design and specification including an introduction to the storage and flow of bulk solid materials in hoppers, silos, bins and bunkers, feeders and feeding, hopper discharge aids and the prediction of discharge rates.

We will also look closely at ways to determine the correct design for reliable discharge, including determining flow properties of bulk solids, hopper geometry and practical design considerations.

For those wanting a more in-depth look at the Design of Equipment for Storing and Discharging Bulk Materials, an advanced course has been designed. See here for details.

Format

It's a two or three-day course, with an emphasis on practical aspects of technology. We'll begin with a comprehensive introduction to give a basic understanding of the operation of hoppers and silos, before moving on to more detailed work. Delegates enrolling onto the practical session will get the opportunity to use equipment not available in their workplace, or to learn new techniques.

We'll use case studies throughout to illustrate the presentations, with plenty of discussion periods so that we can analyse any specific problems experienced by attendees.

Is this for me?

If you are a plant designer, plant manager or work in maintenance, this course will improve your ability to deal with the design and troubleshooting of plants.

You'll also benefit if you are from operational staff or senior management through a better understanding of what can go wrong and how to make your plant as efficient and trouble-free as possible. The course is ideal for those new to materials handling, those who require an update on the subject, or those who need a working knowledge of a wide variety of materials handling technologies.

Course Team

The course leader is Mike Bradley, Professor of Bulk and Particulate Technologies and Director of The Wolfson Centre. He has worked internationally on design and troubleshooting for bulk solids handling as a commercial consultant and research expert for over twenty years.

Also contributing will be Richard Farnish, Consultant Engineer, who has nearly twenty years' experience in commercial design work related to materials handling, specialising in metering powders and Dr Rob Berry, a Research Fellow with over ten years' experience in bulk solids handling technology.

Please note that The Wolfson Centre reserves the right to substitute leaders of equal quality should this be dictated by circumstances beyond their control.

 In-Company course

This course can be delivered as an In-Company course. These are proving to be a popular option for companies who have a number of personnel who would benefit from education in the subject area, for 3 main reasons:

1. COST: It is more economic for us to bring the course to you, than for you to send several staff out to us;
2. RELEVANCE: We can tailor the course programme to suit the operations you have in your plant, hence reducing the amount of material which is not directly relevant;
3. CONVENIENCE: We can run the course when it suits you, even over several separate days rather than in a block if it is better for you.

If you are interested in discussing your requirements, please contact us.