Bulk Materials Handling

Many industries are tasked with handling tons of bulk materials, which can be challenging. Using a bulk materials handling system streamlines and simplifies the process of bulk material handling, ensuring that the materials are efficiently transported, stored, and blended where necessary. The simple process involves:

• The facility receives the raw materials by train, ship, truck, in bags or drums.
• A conveyor system then unloads the bulk materials, and they are stored either in a storage facility or in piles at the storage yard.
• The raw materials are then reclaimed from the stockpiles by use of specialised equipment such as an automatic reclaimer or a gravity reclaim arrangement made up of reclaim tunnel hoppers and feeders.
• Finally, the bulk materials will then be transported for processing at a facility.

Bulk material handling is used in a variety of industries, from mining and construction to food and beverage processing. Bulk materials are often difficult to handle due to their size and weight, but the right equipment can make the job much easier. Here are some of the most common users of bulk material handling equipment:

• Mining companies use bulk material handling equipment to move coal, ore, and other minerals.
• Construction companies use bulk material handling equipment to move sand, gravel, and other building materials.
• Food and beverage processors use bulk material handling equipment to move ingredients and finished products.
• Manufacturers use bulk material handling equipment to move raw materials and finished products.

Others who use bulk material handling include chemical processing, electronics, pet food, agriculture, metals, rubber, textiles, paper, ceramics, rubber, tobacco, and paint industries.

Bulk materials are moved from one place to another by means of specialised bulk material handling equipment or machines. Conveyors (conveyor belts, screw conveyors), bucket elevators, reclaimers, stackers, ship loaders and hoppers are all stationary machinery used to mechanically transport bulk materials. Pneumatic conveying uses convey air (air pressure or a vacuum) to convey the materials.

Bulk material handling equipment include:

Conveyor Systems

Mechanical conveying solutions for bulk material handling are made up of conveyor belts, screw conveyors, drag conveyors and pneumatic conveyors.

Bulk Bag Fillers

Suitable for low or high-volume needs.

Bulk Bag Unloaders

Unload and discharge bulk bags safely and dust-free.

Additional bulk material handling equipment includes bag dump stations, box and drum tippers, bulk bag conditioners, bin activators, automatic pallet dispensers and robotic box and bag palletising.

With mines operating at full steam and around the clock, there is an increased need for well organised, reliable, high-quality material handling and storage solutions for mining and mineral processing.

Bulk material handling is in fact an essential part of the mining process. It involves the transporting of large quantities of materials such as coal, ore, and rock from one location to another. Furthermore, it includes hauling, material handling and feeding, conveying, and loading and unloading of materials.

Specialised equipment for bulk material handling in the mining industry include:

• High-speed conveyors, downhill conveyors, and pipe conveyors
• Mine crushers, vibrating and drum screens
• Metal detectors, suspended magnets, belt weighers
• Crawler mounted trippers
• Feeders
• Conveyor belts and vertical conveyors
• Stackers, hoppers, ship loaders and unloaders
• Buckets, heavy-duty blades, and bucket elevators
• Shipping containers
• Tanks for transport and storage

Drive head stations