Spark Control with Engineered Fabrics

Engineered Fabrics are an integral part of complete Bulk Material Handling Solutions

Compounds and materials used in the manufacturing of finished products run the range from inert to explosive. Because of this, it is vitally important to match the static and compound characteristics of flexible fabric connections, liners and filters to the correct composition for the required application. Failure to do so could result in explosive damage to your facility. When an ignition source contacts explosive dust the problems can multiply rapidly and become life threatening.

Correctly Determine if your Fabrics and Filters require grounding

It is imperative that attention be given to selecting the correct flexible fabric sleeves and to the filter media used in dust collection systems to properly limit the possibility of static discharge. Depending on air to dust ratios, materials and compounds can be inert at one ratio yet dangerous at another. Generally, the more oxygen available, the greater the chance of ignition. Many materials that are normally benign will ignite if exposed to an ignition source at the right material to air ratio.To minimize the threat of sparking and ignition, fabrics that have metal threads woven into them maintain continuity between the pipes they connect. Proper grounding is an essential part of sound bulk material handling practices. Dust Filters with a metal encased exterior and a ground strap can minimize a possible source of static discharge ignition.

Explosive Dust requires a well thought out set of solutions

When you require replacement fabric flexible connections, fabric basket liners and fabric sleeves, please contact us to discuss your application to make sure you are getting engineered fabrics that are correct for your application. While proper grounding is extremely important so are ignition detection devices and alarms, explosion venting, flame suppression systems, fast acting valves and blast deflection solutions. Further Reading – We have addressed Explosive Dust in a prior blog post which follows below;

Increased interest in OSHA Directives regarding Explosive Dust?

April 26, 2010

Last week, we were invited to a customer site to review the results of an OSHA visit for dust issues and to determine the curative steps to achieve compliance. This appears to be trending upward. In the last six months we have noted an increase in OSHA dust related Customer Site visits and an increase in Customer requests to provide equipment and expertise to address combustible dust issues. Simply read the national news to see that due to combustible dust explosions in recent years, safety agencies are taking a heightened interest in Combustible Dust Control.

Additionally, there is a  Meeting Summary Report that was issued on February 9, 2010. This report summarizes key discussion points during two stakeholder meetings that OSHA convened pertaining to its rulemaking on combustible dust. The two 3-hour meetings were held on December 14, 2009, at the Washington Marriott at Metro Center in Washington, D.C.

You can read the above mentioned event’s OSHA report at:    http://tinyurl.com/32p6t7o

Doesn’t OSHA already have a program for Combustible Dust? The existing OSHA Combustible Dust Emphasis Program (effective date 03/08/2008)  addresses these categories

• Metal dust such as aluminum and magnesium.
• Wood dust
• Coal and other carbon dusts.
• Plastic dust and additives
• Biosolids
• Other organic dust such as sugar, flour, paper, soap, and dried blood.
• Certain textile materials.

You can read the current Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program (Reissued) at: http://tinyurl.com/23oncr5

O.A. Newton has expertise in these areas to assist you. If you are interested in having the existing Dust Handling Systems at your facilities reviewed for an Explosion Relief Retrofit, please contact O.A. Newton directly. We provide Engineered Material Handling Solutions to a Global Customer base.

Greg Mareski, Business Development Manager, O.A. Newton, Engineered Material Handling Systems.

Material Handling Systems – Components and Assemblies

All O.A. Newton branded components are produced in-house  and on premises in our 30,000 square foot fabrication facility. They are rigorously inspected for quality, performance, safety and long-term reliability. Our components offer many features and functions not available elsewhere. O.A. Newton components are designed specifically for the demanding challenges associated with difficult to handle powders, resins, colorants and compounds.

Since we are an O.E. M. we pass the very significant cost savings through to you. Here are some of the Components and assemblies that are proven, high quality solutions for your Material Handling Systems needs.

(1) The O.A. Newton Bulk Bag Unloader is an efficient way to get your minor ingredients into your system, freeing your people from having to constantly hand feed your operation. You can learn more here:   http://tinyurl.com/6j5dhlj

(2) O.A. Newton Gal Vent Bin Vent Filters separate fines and airborne particles from the exhaust air when filling a large storage silo. You can read more here: http://tinyurl.com/ydkxuft.

(3) O.A. Newton Dust Collections Systems use low negative pressure to remove dust and fines from your process and keep it from entering your plant. Our dust collections systems range from small, 1-2 cartridge units that will re-introduce consolidated material back into the process, up to the larger, 100 or more cartridge inter-venting units that will remove dust from entire systems.  Read more: http://tinyurl.com/4ave9jd

(4) O.A. Newton Filter Receivers separate the material out of the air stream during pneumatic conveying. Read  more here: http://tinyurl.com/49hf6ju

(5) Whether you need bulk, in-plant storage, or need to weigh and/or hold batch ingredients for your process O.A. Newton Hoppers and Tanks will step up to the job. You can learn more here: http://tinyurl.com/48xgktn

(6) The O.A. Newton Pressure Power Unit creates a positive pressure to push air and the products it’s conveying, through the system to your process. Pressure Power Units are used to convey products over longer distances and with higher throughput than vacuum systems. Our units are built for long term and reliable performance. Learn more here: http://tinyurl.com/6chxn46

(7) The O.A. Newton Vacuum Power Unit creates negative pressure to pull air and the product it’s conveying, through the system to your process. Generally, Vacuum Systems are used to convey product over short distances.  Read more: http://tinyurl.com/49u4nux

(8) Our Carbon Black Handling Division –  TKC Technologies(an affiliate of O.A. Newton) developed, patented and commercialized the internally heated screw feeder for delivering carbon black to your rubber mixer. The patented TKC Heated Screw Conveyor is the only device of its kind. It solved the problems of moving carbon black by accurately moving it from bins to scales. If you have Carbon Black handling needs please read more: http://tinyurl.com/4rnxoac.

This above items are some  of the Components and Assemblies we manufacture in-house at O.A. Newton.  We also Manufacture Pinch Valves,  Slide Gate Valves, Vacuum Breaker/Purge Valves and Vacuum Sequencing Valves. If you want to learn more about these additional Components and Assemblies please look here: http://www.oanewton.com/components.cfm

O.A. Newton is Material Handling. Learn More here: http://tinyurl.com/y9m5zzd

Please contact me with any questions about our super competitive pricing, Components, Assemblies, Replacement Parts and Engineering Services, Greg Mareski, Business Development Manager, Phone 302-337-3778, email:  Solutions@oanewton.com

How do you increase Carbon Black volume?

Do you need to increase Carbon Black volume to meet production demands?
The more time you work around Carbon Black, you know it is sometimes difficult to get the volumes you require to meet ever increasing production quotas. When throughput requirements go up, that is usually when we are contacted to help raise the flow rates to meet demand. TKC Technologies is a wholly owned division of O.A. Newton here in Bridgeville, Delaware. Our customers are major users of Carbon Black and our customer installations are global. We are a provider of proven technologies to the Carbon Black, Tire and Rubber communities.

TKC Technologies moves Carbon Black
We have patents and patents pending on a number of our Carbon Black Handling Solutions. Our 16″ Pinch Valve is an industry standard wherever large volumes of Carbon Black need to be weighed for high capacity production needs. Our heated thermal conveyor moves carbon black smoothly and efficiently. Our Fabric Weigh Hoppers do not suffer from bridging and rat-holing. Our products are long lasting and rebuildable with a proven track record of performing as needed in tough manufacturing environments.

Our Parent Company. O.A. Newton was founded in 1916 and remains family owned. We’ve been building Carbon Black solutions in the USA for decades and we have an inventory of parts available to keep  TKC Technologies products operating efficiently. Our products can provide a single solution and they also work in harmony with one another. When it comes to handling Carbon Black, we focus on one goal – to move it reliably. Everytime.

TKC Technologies Product Information

– Our Thermal Conveyors move Carbon Black without the need for rubber mallets, shaking, banging and without interruptions.

– Our Pinch Valves are pneumatically operated, function reliably and deliver carbon black while controling dust.

– Our Fabric Weigh hoppers are available in a number of sizes to meet the demands of your mixing and production requirements.

– More Information, descriptions and photographs are here.

Greg Mareski, TKC Technologies/O.A. Newton,  Business Development Manager

Carbon Black Handling Challenges

Usage

Carbon Black is one of the most difficult powders to handle.  Used as a component in the tire, rubber, adhesive, drive belt, gasket and laser print toner industries. It has usage as a pigment and adds various wear and abrasive tendencies to vehicle tires.  It adds a measure of UV absorption to various plastics.

Challenges

The tendencies of Carbon Black to cake, pack, plug and bridge within the handling equipment has long been one of the major problems facing the rubber compounder.  Excessive or rough handling degrades the material and is a threat to maintaining quality rubber manufacturing. The widely used technique of hammering equipment with a rubber mallet  to address bridging and flow problems clearly damages and dents surfaces and accelerates equipment replacement cycles.

Solutions

The TKC Technologies Carbon Black Weigh Hopper was designed and patented to specifically address the problems of Carbon Black Handling. The TKC Hopper minimizes the opportunity for any carbon black to adhere to the hopper during the discharge cycle and requires no external stimulation for clean release. The TKC Weigh Hoppers are capable of handling batch loads of up to 600 lbs and can be mounted  to operate with multiple types of weigh cells and control systems.

Pellet degradation resulting from the improper handling of  Carbon Black is the greatest threat to the manufacture of good quality rubber products. The TKC Technologies Thermal Conveyors  were designed (and patented) to address this very significant problem. Our standard TKC Technologies Heated Screw Conveyor easily conveys Carbon Black without clumping, lumping and bridging and requires no rubber mallet  “encouragement”. This TKC Technologies  Heated Screw Conveyor is used in Carbon Black manufacturing facilities worldwide. The TKC Tech-nologies Thermveyor (Patent Pending) heats the Carbon Black with greater thermal efficiently. This allows conveying Carbon Black over greater distances than our standard unit. Contact us to discuss which units are best for your unique environment.

The TKC Technologies Pinch Valve is used in installations where the complete discharge of materials from a weigh hopper, holding bin or transition is critical. The unit utilizes a fabric discharge sleeve which is attached at the top & bottom to keep all transfers of materials dust free to the atmosphere. Yet, when the valve opens, the sleeve immediately goes slack & all materials drop straight through.

TKC Technologies, a wholly owned affiliate of O.A. Newton, has over 30 years of Carbon Black experience plus several patented and patent pending products. We specialize in Dilute and Dense Phase Conveying, Bulk Unloading and Storage Systems, High Intensity Mixing and Blending, and Dispensing and Weighing. View more Carbon Black Handling info at our website: http://tinyurl.com/y8eteyr

O.A. Newton/TKC Technologies, http://www.oanewton.com,

Greg Mareski, Business Development Manager

Hello world!

Welcome to the O.A. Newton Blog. It is our intention to create a resource that is valuable to those who work in the Bulk  Material Handling Systems world. If you are involved in or are a producer of CPVC, PVC, Carbon Black, WPC, Pellet Fuel or Friction Products O.A. Newton can help. We specialize in these areas and provide Project Management, Systems Integration, Design and Engineering, Equipment and Parts, Rail Car unloading and Plug and Play Systems and the Pneumatic Conveyance of Powder and Pellitized materials.