Still Manually Charging Solids?5 Reasons to Improve how you Transfer

Manually charging solids into reactors and mixing vessels remains a common practice at many facilities.

However, there are many potential dangers that arise from manually charging solids into open manways on vessels, which can have a negative impact on your operation.

To demonstrate how contained transfer could improve your operation, we’ve outlined five key areas:1. Operator Ergonomics2. Process Safety3. Housekeeping4. Product Quality5. Environmental Protection

Contained transfer of solids can reduce operator exposure to the material.

Pneumatic conveying of solids can reduce injuries caused by operators manually handling heavy bags or pails.

Reduced PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) purchases will result in cost savings.

1. Operator Ergonomics

During contained transfer of solids, the vessel manway is closed. As such,• Nitrogen inerting is maintained• Internal vessel pressure (positive or negative) in unaffected

The potential for release of hazardous or toxic materials is reduced by contained handling of solids.

The use of hoists and other mechanical lifting equipment over the reactor can be reduced or eliminated.

Controlled material charging can protect the agitator and seal from deflection and damage due to over-charging.

2. Process Safety

Most industrial fires and explosions are the result of fugitive dust accumulation on building and equipment surfaces.

Automated charging of solids frees up operators to perform housekeeping and other important safety related tasks.

Containment of solids during charging substantially reduces equipment and facility clean-up requirements.

3. Housekeeping

This issue is extremely important in the pharmaceutical and other FDA regulated industries, where product integrity is critical.

Contained solids transfer helps eliminate exterior contaminants which can jeopardize the purity of an entire batch.

Product quality benefits can be realized at any stage of production• Raw material addition• Intermediate product transfer• Finished product handling

4. Product Quality

Reduced loading on emission abatement systems can provide savings on energy and waste disposal costs.

Abatement equipment capacity can be freed-up to handle new processes or expansions where containment cannot be achieved.

The containment of hazardous solids promotes the health and safety of the entire facility and its surrounding community.

5. Environmental Protection

See our transfer system, known as “the Powder Pump” in action (www.ddpsinc.com/powderpump).

Fill out our “Powder Handling Application Questionnaire” for a personal assessment of your transfer needs. 

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