The easiest and most cost effective solution to your bag loading problem is to use a Truck Loader (which is also a tank loader). We are agents for Van Beeks Ltd (Holland) who manufacture this equipment.

Go to www.van-beek.myvanbeek.nl/dino/general.php to see the equipment.

If it is of interest then email me the details of your requirements and I will respond. Email bulkhandlingltd@jimf.fsnet.co.uk. ■

The simplest way to solve your problem is to purchase a large amfo-explosives pot and anchor it next to the tank in question.

By using the amfo pot and an air compressor for delivery you will be able to blow fifteen plus bags at a time in to the vessel in question. before refilling it these units are set up with screens to break up clumps and bag a ripper if needed-bag rippers are easy enough to add to the screen frames if not supplied with one.

The delivery hose must be tied down or anchored so it does not blow material all over the place freely.

Google "amfo pots"

Google "getman brothers"

Google "amfo equipment"

Since your are not using the pot for explosive use you should not run into any barriers for purchase of same for your intended use.

Just remember to keep things as simple as possble and you will eliminate maintenance headaches and be sure to have spare gaskets on hand for the upper and lower doors/hatches.

After setting up the air compressor you should only have 4 or 5 hours work or less to start dumping your product.

BE sure to buy non static producing hose/amfo hose since you are dealing with carbon and to use grounding clamps anchored to an adequate ground to reduce static eletricity buildup at all times.

Keep it simple:

By this I mean no soleniods, no remote control of valves etc., Two ball valves and a pressure regulator is all you will need-just remember to open the delivery valve slowly to disgorge the product other wise you will run out of compressed air. ■

In my opinion, a good option for you is to use an inclined and pleated belt conveyor to carry the bags about 6 feet above the truck, install a small staging platform for the bags, install a bag dump hopper above the hatch, and manually slit and dump the bags into the hatch. You should avoid pneumatic conveying not because it will not work, but because it will be more expensive due to costs associated with dust collection and safety hazards.

Regards,

Amrit Agarwal

Consulting Engineer

Pneumatic Conveying Consulting

Email: polypcc@aol.com

Ph and Fax:304 346 5125 ■

What else is in the tank; what happens to the empty bags & how fast do you get through 215 bags? Is there a place to build a stairway from which the operation of an aeromechanical conveyor can be monitored & serviced.

Quantify your requirement & explain the process input & output scenario. That way you might avoid soliciting suggestions to build cleated sidewall belt conveyors+drive+supporting structure+bag disposal equipment if you only have to keep up with the performance of one weary superman who humps bags up a ladder. By the way how often does the hatch need to be closed: so that we can determine if a pressure difference can in fact be tolerated?

Between the lines you seem to have a batch operation. You mention employee & on that single man basis I think it would take about 30 seconds for a strong person to climb the ladder. Add on unladen descent, walking at high & ground level, bag slitting, disposal & collection and it probably takes 3 minutes per bag...800kg/hr with humane rests 600kg/hr. Does that justify a belt or pneumatic conveyor of any kind?

Your only solution is something like an aeromechanical machine..if the salesmen are still around. ■

I can't think of a simpler way to do it than with an inclined screw conveyor/tube conveyor. Dump the bags through a grate over the loading chute at the bottom. You ought to be able to make the operation many times faster. You will need a small bin filter on the vessel to contain dust emissions.

Michael Reid. ■