Collecting And Storage Container
Instead of the standard material discharge valve, Volkmann Vacuum Conveyors can be equipped with material collectors in various sizes and with additional functions.
Application examples:
- Vacuum Conveyor as an automized material feeding system: Convey and feed powders and mixtures directly into filling machines, tablet presses etc. Min- and Max-sensors prevent overfilling and keep processes stable
- For further processing like blending, the Vacuum Conveyor transports a number of materials into a container
- Collection and disposal or reuse of aspirated dust within the vacuum conveying system
- Take material samples from collectors or bring them directly to sample jars
- Use of Vacuum Conveyor with collector as an industrial vacuum cleaner
Diverter Valves
Volkmann diverter valves connect one vacuum conveyor to a number of material loading stations or other systems. By this, a single vacuum conveyor picks up different or the same materials e.g. from silos, big-bags, bag dump stations or from drums through a suction lance.
Volkmann supplies standard diverter valves with 2 to 8 ports as well as customized systems.
Automation and PLC Control Engineering
In addition to the standard pneumatic controls for the basic functionality of the vacuum conveyor, there are numerous enhancement and modification options. For standard vacuum conveying tasks, pneumatic controls free of ignition sources are the first choice for simple installation and reliable operation. For more complex systems and/or the demand of data exchange and online process monitoring, more sophisticated electrical PLC controls become necessary. There is a wide range of possible applications: From the simple control with one or more level sensors to complex automation of e.g. dosing and batching or automated drum discharging systems.
Our in-house pneumatic and PLC control engineering experts take care, that all requirements and specific demands are fulfilled. If later on the application is modified, changes can be done easily. The controls are built in-house and are based on different PLC’s manufacturer parts like Siemens, Allan Bradley etc. For the exchange of signals and data, Interfaces to Profibus, CANbus, Ethernet etc. can be included.
WIP/CIP
“Wetting/Washing in Place“ (WIP) and “Cleaning in Place“ (CIP) operations require very smooth surfaces with only few connections, free of gaps. Hygienic design is major to modularity. Typically, PPC (Pneumatic Pharma Conveyor) Vacuum Conveyors are used for WIP and CIP processes.
For many years, modified PPC Vacuum Conveyors are in operation, in which, after the powder transport all product contacting surfaces are rinsed without dismantling of the vacuum conveyor. Due to the optimized design and the installation of hygienic valves, all components and surfaces are wetted effectively. After rinsing and flooding, the washing liquid is fully drained. Upon request, the filter may be replaced by a flushing cover and the remaining separator then is CIP cleaned.
A “full” CIP solution is available, too. During rinsing, cleaning and drying the filter remains inside the vacuum conveying system. These come with specific spraying and washing nozzles with rinsing/spray outlet in different directions, have no pocket areas and unique sanitary drain valves for the filter and separator.
The wide range of cleaning options have been successfully transferred to other units like our bag emptying stations.
Furthermore, today Volkmann WIP Vacuum Conveyors are used inside clean-rooms and inside OEB 4 (Occupational Exposure Band 4, OEL 1-10 µg/m³) classified areas.
Coatings And Special Designs
Cream-fat-powder with 70 % fat content, adhesive and compacting iron oxide, wet charcoal – there are many examples of highly adhesive and sticky powders and other materials. For proper and reliable material transport, surfaces with product contact can be coated with different specific materials. To avoid cross contamination and reduce residual material inside the conveying system, the parameters of the conveying process and the surfaces can be modified and optimized according to the specific needs.
Special coatings (e.g. Halar®) are used with corrosive materials and conveying environments to protect all parts of the vacuum conveyor.
If the vacuum conveyor itself is installed inside an aggressive atmosphere or comes in contact with aggressive media, the outside of the conveyor will be coated, too. Additionally, MULTIJECTOR Vacuum Pumps are available in various materials (various stainless steel and/or plastic materials) and can be supplied acid-proof.
Certain industries have very strict material requirements, e.g. all equipment must be completely free of copper. As Volkmann manufactures most of its systems in-house, products and solutions with alternative materials can be supplied quite easily.
