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Solids Handling & Processing

Spiroflow Promotes Safe Handling And Containment Solutions In Advance Of Titanium Dioxide Regulations

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Leading bulk materials handling specialist, Spiroflow, is taking steps to advise its customers on its range of conveying solutions that are ideally suited to the safe handling and containment of titanium dioxide (TiO2) powder. 

The move comes as a result of legislation changes made by the European Commission in February 2020, in classifying titanium dioxide (TiO2) as a suspected carcinogen (cat 2) by inhalation. 

The regulation becomes official on 1 October 2021, meaning that businesses handling TiO2 will need to upgrade the containment of their processes, so that their operators are protected. Even products containing as little as 1% TiO2 will need to be included.

TiO2 is an inert inorganic compound that is used as a white pigment in many industrial applications. These applications include the manufacture of paints, coatings, printing inks and wall coverings where TiO2 plays a critical role in providing essential product properties: whiteness, covering power, brightness, stability and durability of colour that cannot be achieved with other raw materials. 

TiO2 is also used in many other consumer products such as foods, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Handling TiO2 in a production environment can often be problematic, particularly in conveying, where due to its cohesive properties, equipment such as screw conveyors can stall and ultimately fail. Dust and containment is also a major consideration.

Spiroflow regularly provides solutions for the safe and efficient handling of TiO2 through either their flexible screw or aero-mechanical conveyors. A flexible screw conveyor, having only one moving part – the spiral – makes it ideal for conveying TiO2. 

The pro-screw in the tube will move round in a spiral formation, the flat-leading edge and closer gap tolerance between the tube and the screw both assisting in reducing the product residue and smearing in the conveying tube, thereby limiting halts in production.

Spiroflow’s aero-mechanical conveyor creates an airstream which moves the product up the tubes along with high-speed discs and a rope. TiO2 is conveyed in the air stream created by the rope and discs in the tube where the product is handled gently. 

This conveyor is a great choice for conveying TiO2 because any dust created during conveying will be all contained within the conveyor itself. This conveyor is contained, runs quietly and with minimal energy, which also makes it a superior choice for conveying larger volumes of TiO2.

As material handling specialists, we have always understood the need to test materials and to offer a proven solution to the customer,” said Jeannette Carter, a regional sales manager at Spiroflow with a NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety. “With many years of experience, we've trialled and developed products to ensure the smooth running of difficult cohesive materials such as titanium dioxide, resulting in us developing our flexible screw conveyor, which prevents the smearing and potential buildup of material in the conveying tube. Typically, we’d still select the aero-mechanical conveyor when presented with applications, but use the pro-screw in a steel tube as a metering device to offer a guaranteed solution. Containment in delivery, either from a bulk bag or sack tip, is a major consideration and one we handle on a daily basis.”

Spiroflow has dominated the field of powder handling and dry bulk solids processing for more than 45 years. 

To learn more, visit spiroflow.com, email sales@spiroflow.com or call +44 (0) 1200 422525 in the UK or (1) 704 246 0900 in the US.

Spiroflow

Spiroflow Limited

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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