Solve Or Prevent Poor Flow

What is Poor Flow?

Two costly flow problems experienced in a silo, bin, or hopper are arching and ratholing.

(bridging) occurs when an arch-shaped obstruction forms above the hopper outlet and stops flow. It can be an interlocking arch, where large particles mechanically interlock to form an obstruction, or a cohesive arch. A cohesive arch occurs when particles bond together due to effects of moisture, fines concentration, particle shape, temperature, etc.

• Ratholing, if material is cohesive
• and material spoilage
• Flooding of fine powders
• First-in, last-out flow sequence
• Sifting effects worsened

• No ratholing
• Uniform flow
• No stagnant material
• First-in, first-out flow sequence
• Sifting segregation effects reduced

• Limited “live” capacity
• of fines or dust
• Idle equipment or process
• Erratic or stopped flow
• Powder flooding or flushing
• Structure vibrations, quaking
• Missed shipments or delays
• wasted material