Keeling & Walker Ltd of Stoke-on-Trent, UK is the world’s largest producer of Tin Oxide. Not only is Tin Oxide a very abrasive material, it is very difficult to handle: it smears, doesn’t flow well and readily bridges. So, back in early 2007, when Operations Manager Martyn Pedley came to choose a replacement for a troublesome bucket elevator, he was concerned to find a conveyor that would be man enough for the job and, in addition, which would eliminate the fugitive emissions to improve the working environment too. The problems with the bucket elevator were caused by the abrasive product getting into the chains and other mechanical parts. As a result, it had become too costly to maintain.
After trawling the pages of the technical magazines, that Martyn Pedley keeps on his office shelves for reference, he concluded that either a Flexible Screw Conveyor or an Aero-Mechanical Conveyor would be possible solutions. Accordingly, he contacted 3 companies and made arrangements to conduct trails at their respective Test Centres. He included Spiroflow among the 3 because of their technical article comparing the merits of various conveyor types published by one of the titles.
However, continuous trials at Spiroflow soon indicated that, over time, tin oxide would smear onto the inside wall of a Flexible Screw Conveyor conveying tube; building up to the point where it would likely bind and cause premature failure. As a result, the trials were re-run in an Aero-Mechanical Conveyor and all the indications were that this was the ideal solution. This has been verified by the ‘Spiroflow’ Aero-Mechanical Conveyor installed in March 2007 which has performed to Keeling & Walker’s satisfaction since.
Over the last 2 years, Keeling & Walker have invested heavily in improving the efficiency of their production processes to remain competitive in their global market. Martyn Pedley set about upgrading the packaging lines to reduce its labour intensive nature and to eliminate dust in the atmosphere. To do this, additional conveyors were required to transfer Tin Oxide from the reverse-jet filter hoppers, where it is collected after undergoing the thermal process, to the storage hoppers above the packing machines.
According to Martyn Pedley, “Spiroflow Aero-Mechanical Conveyors were my automatic choice, I didn’t look elsewhere based on the performance of the unit installed in March 2007, the service that I received at that time and the after sales service I have enjoyed since. There was a minor teething problem with the first conveyor. A Spiroflow Service Engineer not only remedied that very quickly, he even took the trouble to stop by a few days later to check that all was still well”. Mr Pedley continues, “The fact that the conveyors are totally enclosed has made a massive difference to the cleanliness of our factory”.
Keeling & Walker bought a further ‘Spiroflow’ Aero-Mechanical Conveyor in February 2008 and then 2 more in September 2008. The original conveyor is 3m long and operates vertically; the other 3 are 5 meters long and operate at around 50 degrees to the horizontal. Aero-Mechanical Conveyors can operate at any angle from horizontal to vertical without any change in performance. The ‘Spiroflow’ Aero-Mechanical Conveyors at Keeling & Walker operate continuously 24/7.
To learn more about ‘Spiroflow’ Aero-Mechanical Conveyors, and their ranges of Flexible Screw Conveyors, Pneumatic Conveyors and Vacuum Conveyors and also about their Big Bag Fillers and Big Bag Dischargers too, contact:
Spiroflow Limited
- 01200 422525
- sales@spiroflow.com
- http://www.spiroflow.com
- Lincoln Way, Clitheroe, Lancashire, BB7 1QG GB
About us
Continuous product development allied to a thorough understanding of customers" process needs and objectives has kept Spiroflow at the forefront of the bulk handling industry since the mid 1970s. From our early beginnings supplying flexible screw conveyors, mainly to the plastics industry, Spiroflow is today one of the world"s leading manufacturers of a full range of equipment for handling dry bulk solids and ingredients in powder, granule, pellet and flake form, across the whole spectrum of process industries.
Commitment, quality, reliability and service Spiroflow conveying and weighing systems are in operation worldwide and are acclaimed for their outstanding versatility and prolonged working life in the most demanding environments. In food and pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and chemicals, minerals and plastics, Spiroflow"s experience and proven capability is providing the answer to every conceivable handling need. The leading design principles behind all Spiroflow equipment are: dust-free handling and hygienic operation.
Our range includes not only the latest automatic conveyor systems, but also fully compatible weighing equipment for a wide variety of applications, from batch processing of ingredients, to the filling and controlled emptying of bulk bags or sacks. Behind all Spiroflow products is a dedicated design, manufacturing, testing and installation facility, backed up by a rapid spares and service network. Our high standards are sustained through an on-going development programme utilising CAD design facilities and material testing procedures.
Our conveying and weighing systems are designed with a minimum of working parts for maximum reliability in operation. Simple to operate and easy to clean and maintain, their robust construction ensures a long working life with minimum downtime. Willingness to meet customer"s specific needs A cornerstone of our success is our eagerness to design and develop equipment to meet the needs of individual customers. Not only has this enabled our customers to operate in ways that best suit them, it has been the driving force behind our product range today. Our Engineers like nothing more than a challenge!
Where we supply to
Europe
Industries we supply to
Automation, Chemicals, Consultants, Components Electronics, Energy and Power, Food and Beverage, Glass Ceramics Cement, Metals and Minerals, OEM, Paper and Pulp, Pharmaceutical Cosmetics Toiletries, Plastics and Rubber, Recycling, Textiles, Tobacco, Water and Wastewater
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This is Spiroflow
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Meet SAM, (Spiroflow Active Monitoring) IIoT
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CTE Bulk Bag Filler
