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SHAPA
Bulk lessons
Lyn Bates of Ajax Equipment discusses the need for
better education in bulk solids handling technology
Although bulk handling is a mature industrial
activity, the major breakthrough that
converted the storage and handling of loose
solids from an empirical industry to a science
took place in the early 1960’s with Andrew
Jenike’s work on hopper design.
This introduced a theory for solids flow, a
test method for measuring the relevant
properties of bulk materials and a procedure
for applying the results to obtain a design for
reliable flow. However, two subsequent
investigations by the Rand organisation in the
1980’s confirmed that newly commissioned
plants handling loose solids experienced far distinguish solids handling specialist supplier
more commissioning difficulties and from general engineering fabricators. The
operating problems than installations handling ability to manufacture chutes, hoppers,
liquids and gasses. They also found that the product transfer points and even screw
situation had shown little improvement over conveyors and feeders, does not necessarily
work undertaken before the 60s. Despite include the understanding of important,
further developments in the technology, performance related, aspects of the design.
commission problems and impediments to The cost of inadequate performance of such
smooth production are still often experienced key production items can easily outweigh
in projects that involve the storage and purchase cost differentials between suppliers
handling of bulk solids. The reason is rarely and sometimes well exceed the full capital
due to poor engineering or lack of value of the equipment.
understanding of any chemical process The technical content of the SHAPA web
involved, but is almost invariably the result of site goes to some way to introduce the
a failure to accommodate some behavioural basics of the technology to the wider
feature of the bulk material. industrial community. Various manufacturing
This should not be so surprising, because companies that are members of SHAPA also
solids handling technology is the most enhance this education by publishing
difficult of the engineering sciences as it contributions in their own specialised field of
incorporates all the features of liquids, gasses supply, as well as articles on fundamental
and mass solids. Also, there is an enormous aspects of the subject. The supply industry is
range of industrial activities that involve bulk only too willing to share this information
materials because about half of all products because co-operation between user and
used or consumed by society are at some manufacturer is essential in order to secure
stage in particulate form and the material is the full, accurate and relevant design data
usually stored and handled many times that is required to provide a well-founded
between their source and ultimate use. In basis of a solids handling contract.
contrast to this gigantic scale of bulk material Undertaking due technical diligence review of
utilisation, education in bulk technology at the potential liabilities of differing degrees of
Universities is relatively miniscule, with only a performance shortfall will invariably highlight
handful offering more than a basic the high value of reliability. Purchasing
introduction to the subject. This is perhaps as confidence may be secured by a detailed
it should be, as industry does not have a vetting of a suppliers competence, combined
massive demand for such specialists. There with knowledge of prior work that they have
is however, a need for a widespread undertaken in a similar field.
appreciation of the technology, to enable For more information about SHAPA please
users to recognise the need for expertise and visit: www.shapa.co.uk
50 Solids & Bulk Handling • August 2007 www.web4materialshandling.co.uk
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