Bulk Material
The term “bulk material” is used to refer to a granular or lumpy mixture existing in a free-flowing form. A bulk material’s properties are defined by its grain size and grain size distribution, as well as by its bulk density, angle of repose, moisture, and temperature.
Bulk materials are classified into two groups:
- Cohesionless, free-flowing bulk materials
- Cohesive bulk materials
The following are some important characteristics of bulk materials:
- Bulk density
- Angle of repose
- Grain size
- Grain size distribution
- Grain shape
- Cohesion
- Adhesion
The German equivalent of the term “bulk” is defined on the basis of DIN standards concerning transportation, as well as on the principles of process engineering insofar as the latter deals with the handling of bulk materials. Bulk materials, especially loose materials, are materials that can move freely in a container or that are not otherwise secured in their position.
The field of bulk material handling mechanics studies the storage and transportation conditions of bulk materials, e.g., their angle of repose (angle of friction), fluidization, bulk densities, the discharge behavior of silos, etc. After a specific activation energy, bulk materials can behave like a fluid, i.e., begin to flow. When this occurs, the corresponding particles remain essentially the same or do not change in form on the conveyance route. The most important characteristic within this context is pourability. Finally, in terms of physics, the properties of bulk materials are analyzed in the body of theories that studies granular materials.
Bulk materials include construction materials such as plaster, sand, gravel, and cement, as well as raw materials such as ore, slag, and de-icing salts. In addition, foodstuffs such as grains, nuts, sugar, salt, coffee, and flour are included in the category. Powdery materials such as pigments, as well as fillers, granular material, and pellets can also be classified under it.
Due to their material properties, bulk materials are often stored in silos or hoppers. A distinction is made between free-flowing and cohesive bulk materials. The former can be discharged with rotary airlocks or discharge gates (for example) without a problem. However, in the case of difficult (complex) bulk materials, such as cohesive, hygroscopic, segregating, wear-causing, non-pourable, and paste-like bulk materials, the discharging process (especially when requiring precise metering) is much more demanding. Nevertheless, materials with the aforementioned properties can be discharged without a problem by using live bottom feeders. Materials that are not sensitive to weather can also be stored outdoors.
In regard to a material’s conveyance, a distinction is drawn between continuous (i.e., flowing without interruption) conveyance and intermittent conveyance methods. Continuous conveyance methods include simple items such as hoses and tubes and complex systems such as belt conveyors (generic term), chain conveyors, screw conveyors, bucket elevators, proper belt conveyors, and tubular drag chain conveyors. In addition, devices such as rotary airlocks are used for discharging and feeding purposes, while double dump valves are used to convey coarse bulk materials. Intermittent conveyance methods, on the other hand, include bulk material silos and hoppers; dumpers and high-sided vehicles and cars; silo trucks, silo wagons, and semi-trailers with sliding bottoms; and bagged cargo and big bags.
Bulk material handling
Bulk material handling is an engineering field that is centered on the design of equipment used for the handling of dry materials such as ores, coal, cereals, wood chips, sand, gravel and stone in loose bulk form. It can also relate to the handling of mixed wastes.
Bulk material handling systems are typically composed of stationary machinery such as conveyor belts, screw conveyors, stackers, reclaimers, bucket elevators, truck dumpers, railcar dumpers or wagon tipplers, shiploaders, hoppers and diverters and various mobile equipment such as loaders, various shuttles, combined with storage facilities such as stockyards, storage silos or stockpiles. Advanced bulk material handling systems feature integrated bulk storage, conveying, and discharge.
The purpose of a bulk material handling facility may be to transport material from one of several locations (i.e. a source) to an ultimate destination or to process material such as ore in concentrating and smelting or handling materials for manufacturing such as logs, wood chips and sawdust at sawmills and paper mills. Other industries using bulk materials handling include flour mills and coal fired utility boilers.
Providing storage and inventory control and possibly material blending is usually part of a bulk material handling system.
In ports handling large quantities of bulk materials continuous ship unloaders are replacing gantry cranes.
