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Powdered Rice Bran Material Flow Test

Material flow can be affected by humidity, the size of the vessel outlet, and the natural moisture and fat content of a material. For example, rice bran is high in fat and oil, and can be prone to clumping, bridging, arching and ratholing. Since rice bran has a shorter shelf life and can become rancid, it’s important to prevent these material blocks and get smooth, on-demand, first-in/first-out flow.

Rice Bran Applications

Rice bran is a byproduct of rice milling. Once considered “food waste”, it is now recognized for its high nutritional value and used as a sustainable functional ingredient. For example, rice bran lecithin (RBL) can be used as an alternative to soybean and sunflower lecithins in food and cosmetics. Rice bran wax is a superior binder of oils. Rice bran powder can be added to health food and supplements, or used as a natural treatment for gastro-intestinal problems, inflammation and more.

AirSweep

AirSweep is an effective flow aid for moist, heavy and sticky bulk powders. Watch the video to see how it works on rice bran powderçor read about how it helped a rice bran plant clear material blocks and lower factory stress.

Wax Flakes Material Flow Test

Thousands of companies around the world use the AirSweep® system to solve tough flow problems. It uses high-pressure, high-volume air pulses to sweep stalled material back into the flow stream. It does not damage vessels like industrial vibrators, air cannons or hammers. And unlike rubber fluidizing discs, it is powerful enough to work with even moist, sticky or heavy materials.

This material flow test shows AirSweep’s effectivity on wax flakes and other materials that are prone to clumping, bridging, arching or ratholing.

Wax Applications

Wax is used in several industries. It is added to fertilizer to prevent caking, coat food like cheese, or added to pharmaceutical products and cosmetics. It is sometimes used to insulate rubber and the wiring in electrical appliances.

AirSweep

Watch the video to see proof of how the AirSweep system can be used to prevent on-demand flow of wax flakes.

Wet Tea Leaves Material Flow Test

Most flow aids aren’t effective for heavy, moist materials. Rubber fluidizing discs may be cheaper, but can only work for light powders that respond to gentle aeration. Vibrators, hammers and agitators can compact the material and cause long-term damage to the vessel. The safe, effective solution for tough material flow issues is AirSweep.

In this material flow test, AirSweep’s efficiency is tested on wet tea leaves. Two AirSweep VA-06 units were placed 180 degrees apart, and located 4” and 8” above the discharge. A camera inside the vessel captures the effect of the air pulses on the bridged material.

Whey Protein Material Flow Test

Whey protein and other moist, dense materials are prone to bridging, arching and ratholing. However, flow aids like vibrators and hammers actually compound the problem.

By shaking out the air, they pack the substance.

The AirSweep system is the best flow aid for dense, sticky or stringy materials like whey protein. The powerful air pulses cut through the material blocks like an Air Knife. Watch the whey protein material flow test, and read how AirSweep helped a cheese company solve issues of bridging in the hoppers.

Wax Pellets Material Flow Test

The AirSweep® system uses high-pressure, high-volume air pulses to sweep stalled material back into the flow stream. It can handle any material, be installed on any vessel or chute, and is used in every industry.

This material flow test demonstrates the AirSweep® pneumatic bin discharge system on Lambent Technologies’ Lipowax R2 pellets. The powerful pulses break the bridge and flush the vessel clean in seconds.

Shredded Cellulose Material Flow Test

The AirSweep® System is the best pneumatic flow aid for heavy bulk materials that are prone to bridging and arching. For example, shredded cellulose tends to clump and stick together. Once it is compacted or compressed, it can clog the bin discharge and bring your process to a halt.

In this material flow test, you can see how the AirSweep pushes the shredded cellulose down the vessel. It takes less than a minute to completely empty the hopper, despite the density of the material.

AirSweep® is the only pneumatic flow aid that can handle any form of cellulose – whether it’s a fine powder, flakes, or coarse shreds.

Resin Flakes Material Flow Test

Light, dry material like resin flakes can become compressed during the manufacturing process. It clogs up the discharge, and brings production to a halt. Workers have to hammer the vessel to get it flowing, but—as the video shows—hitting the bin is slow, tedious and inefficient.

The AirSweep system uses high-pressure, high-volume air pulses to break the friction and push material back into the flow stream. It saves time, prevents downtime and damage to vessels, and improves productivity. It’s the fastest most cost-efficient way to resolve bin bridging, arching, ratholing and other flow problems.

Watch to see proof of how the AirSweep system works on resin flakes and similar materials.

Plastic Regrind Material Flow Test

Plastic regrind is scrap material that can be reused to manufacture other products. These have gone through other processing methods, such as molding or extrusion, but have either been rejected or trimmed off.

Sources of Plastic Regrind

Rejected parts. Plastic pieces that failed to meet quality control standards (i.e, a leaking bottle lid) can be returned to the grinder and added back into the material feed

Extrusion process. Plastic tails and moils are trimmed, collected, and sent back to the grinder

Plastic Regrind Flow Issues

While plastic regrind is cost-effective, the heat history of processing and grinding may affect its physical, chemical and flow properties. It needs a powerful, reliable material activation system that can prevent bridging, arching and other material blocks.

AirSweep can help promote smooth, on-demand flow of plastic regrind and other bulk solids used for construction and manufacturing materials. Watch the plastic regrind material flow test.

Diatomaceous Earth Material Flow Test

AirSweep is used in all industries around the world. It can handle almost any material, from very fine powders to heavy minerals. This includes diatomaceous earth, which is commercially used in several formats: granules, fine milled powders, and calcined flakes and pellets.

Diatomaceous Earth Applications

There are two kinds of diatomaceous earth: food-grade and filter-grade. Food-grade contains less than 2% silica and is typically used to prevent caking. Filter-grade is toxic when ingested, but has several commercial uses: a mild abrasive, an absorbent for liquids, a filler, a matting and stabilizing agent, and insulator.

AirSweep

Diatomaceous earth is highly absorbent, and is prone to material flow issues like bridging, ratholing, and caking. Watch AirSweep promote continuous, on-demand flow in this material test video.

Raw and Organic Natural Fibre Blends Material Flow Test

Natural fibers have a number of industrial and commercial applications. These are made into fabric, construction and insulation materials, and packaging. Special, environmentally-friendly geo-textiles are also used to prevent soil erosion or improve composting.

However, natural fibers have a tendency to clump together and cause arching, bridging and ratholing issues. AirSweep can cut through material blocks to promote smooth, on-demand flow. It can be used with any form of natural fibers, including LCF blends or raw LCF.

Watch the material flow test to see AirSweep’s power and efficiency.