- 29 September 2008 -
New hopper technology aids material flow

The K-Tron Process Group has introduced ActiFlow, a new alternative to other forms of mechanical hopper agitation. The company says that the ActiFlow Smart Bulk Solids Activator reliably prevents bridging and rat-holing of cohesive bulk materials in stainless steel hoppers. ActiFlow is a non-product contact device, consisting of a patent-pending vibratory drive and intelligent control unit.

According to K-Tron, in applications involving difficult flowing materials, ActiFlow eliminates the need for mechanical agitators with secondary motors and gearboxes, as well as the need for flexible side wall agitation devices or aeration pads. The self-tuning algorithm implemented in the K-Tron Control Module (KCM) monitors the system continuously adjusting the frequency and amplitude of the ActiFlow to maintain flow within the hopper. In this manner, bridges and rat-holes are prevented before they can form.

K-Tron says that ActiFlow greatly simplifies the cleaning process during material change-over and reduces headroom requirements. The device is bolted to the outside of the extension hopper, above the feed screws. Together with the K-Tron Control Module (KCM) and ActiFlow control unit, it continuously activates the material inside the hopper with an optimized frequency and amplitude based on changing material flow conditions.

ActiFlow is said to be well-suited for applications in a number of industries, including plastics. Working in concert with K-Tron’s patented Smart Force Transducer (SFT) weigh scales, advanced filtering algorithms are used to screen out vibrations, ensuring an accurate weight signal even with the ActiFlow running. The ActiFlow is used in loss-in-weight (gravimetric) feeding applications.

K-Tron Process Group; www.ktron.com/ActiFlow