Conveyor Type Research Articles

Electrostatic Separation of Flower Parts from Onion Seeds

ABSTRACT THE purpose of this research was to study the application of electrostatic principles in removing flower parts from onion seeds. The optimal machine and environmental factors that would cause separation of flower parts from an onion seed/flower part mixture were determined. The electrostatic separator had a beam type electrode, conducting type conveyor belt, and a 25 kVDC power supply. The chemical contents of the seeds and the flower parts were determined. The germination percentages and the densities of the seeds in the different separated fractions were determined. The electrostatic separator, at 17 kV in the pinning position, was effective in separating flower parts from onion seeds. Humidities less than 40% and temperatures less than 24 C were found to be essential for effective separation of flower parts from onion seeds. The onion seeds had higher protein dry weight, crude fat, acid detergent fiber content but lower ash and nitrogen-free extract than the flower parts. The electrostatic separator was capable of separating seeds based on density. Seeds having higher density had higher germination.

Simulation for Design and Operation of Manufacturing Systems

Summary The purpose of this paper is to develop a general purpose discrete-event type simulator. This simulator can be used as a useful tool when newly designing an effective and economic manufacturing system as well as effectively operating the installed manufacturing system through the evaluation of the performance of hardware and/or software systems prior to their implementation. The manufacturing system is modeled as a combination of the following modules so as to be able to simulate different configurations; various types of work stations (machining, assembly, inspection, loading/unloading), cart and/or conveyor type transportation system, material handling system (shuttles, robots), storage system (warehouse, buffers), other auxiliaries (cutting tools, jigs, fixtures, pallets), and operators as well as production information processing system including the software. In addition, graphic animation capability is incorporated in the simulator which allows the user to visually monitor the dynamic behavior of the system and also displays the intermediate and final simulation results on a graphic CRT terminal in the form of a table and chart.

Improved fire resistance test method for belt materials

A moderately scaled apparatus was developed for determining the fire resistance characteristics of mice conveyor belts and similar type materials. The test method overcomes the limitations of existing laboratory-scale methods and provides a measure of both ignitability and flammability in quantitative terms. Data are presented for nine belt materials, and fire resistance ratings are proposed in terms of the flame spread rate, heat release rate, and critical ignitor heat flux.

Microwave Heating of Multi-Layered Cigarettes

AbstractA conveyor type microwave oven for heating cigarettes in the final process of cigarette making was developed. Cooling conditions required to achieve the high quality hard cigarettes were studied. Rapid cooling after microwave heating was found desirable.

Principles of recycling processes

The processes which are available for use in some aspects of recycling of solid materials are described. The techniques are explained with some elementary design criteria included where approiate. Size reduction equipment for use with various types of solid material is covered, including some basic principles of comminution. The methods of moving quantities of solids from one place to another during a process are included, with a comprehensive list of the types of conveyor in use. Storage of solids in bins and hoppers and the problems encountered in the removal of solids from storage and the presence of stagnant zones are noted. The drying of solids to form a process intermediate or a final product is described in some detail. Separation processes as applied to systems containing a solid phase are considered in detail. The processes which are available for solid/liquid, solid/gas and solid/solid systems are described, including diagrams and design details where appropriate.

Gold reflectors in infra-red heating

Heating by means of medium wave or short wave infra-red radiation is an essential feature of a wide variety of industrial processes. Its applications are to be found, for example, in the textile and papermaking industries, in printing, in the manufacture of plastics and of laminated glass, and in cooking and the drying of foodstuffs. Generally it is used with most effect in conveyor type ovens where continuous processing is involved and where poorly conducting materials are to be heated rapidly. The high temperature source employed is either a tungsten filament operating at around 2200°C—for short wave—or a nickel-chromium spiral filament running at 800°C or over for medium wave heating. In either case the filament is enclosed in a tubular envelope of quartz glass, a material which will withstand the high temperature and which is also transparent to infra-red. The envelope thus remains relatively cool and so minimises the loss of radiant heat to the surrounding atmosphere. This type of construction provides a simple and compact unit giving rapid heating and cooling times with ease of maintenance. In many cases these infra-red units are located above the material to be heated, and an efficient means of reflecting the heat must be employed. While external reflectors can be arranged, an improved technique recently developed involves applying a conventional gold coating to the reverse side of the quartz glass envelope. This gives a highly efficient reflector for infra-red, more than 99 per cent, particularly when employed in the form of twin tubes. Improved performance and of course the permanent maintenance of the high reflecting gold surface are ensured since it is not directly exposed to possibly unclean environments. For a more detailed account of the fundamentals of infra-red heating and of the types of equipment available an earlier paper by the writer may be found useful (Electrical Review, 1974, 194, (22), 681-684).

Improved design of slurry feed unit for horizontal conveyor type settling centrifuge

Improved design of slurry feed unit for horizontal conveyor type settling centrifuge

Production of Levoglucosan by Pyrolysis of Carbohydrates

AbstractA process involving the pyrolysis of naturally occurring carbohydrates such as starch and cellulose has industrial potential for the production of levoglucosan and levoglucosan‐like material. The reaction is complex. For high conversions and good product yields, high temperature, low pressure, and a low‐pressure gas flow are necessary. A screw conveyor type of reactor has been used for continuous pyrolysis of starch. Dielectric heating is being studied as a means of overcoming poor heat transfer to the starch mass.

Production of Levoglucosan by Pyrolysis of Carbohydrates

A process involving the pyrolysis of naturally occurring carbohydrates such as starch and cellulose has industrial potential for the production of levoglucosan and levoglucosan-like material. The reaction is complex. For high conversions and good product yields, high temperature, low pressure, and a low-pressure gas flow are necessary. A screw conveyor type of reactor has been used for continuous pyrolysis of starch. Dielectric heating is being studied as a means of overcoming poor heat transfer to the starch mass.

A NEW CHAIN LUBRICATOR

THE automatic lubrication of a moving conveyor chain has always been difficult unless resort is made to a costly method. Although there are very efficient lubricators marketed which feed oil accurately but externally on to the link pins of chains, positive grease lubrication requires a relatively complicated and expensive equipment. The latest lubricator made by Centralube Ltd., Gt. Western Trading Estate, Park Royal Road, London, N.W. 10, provides an efficient positive lubricator for this purpose at reasonable cost. It is of De Limon design and ensures reliable, continuous, positive, and automatic lubrication of chain pins, chain links and rolls of all types of chain conveyors. It is known as the Centralube Chain Lubricator Model R.K. and its method of working will be understood by reference to the illustrations.

Present status of the filtration‐extraction process for cottonseed

SummaryImprovements and refinements in the process for filtration‐extraction of cottonseed resulting from further pilot‐plant development studies are described as well as their adaptation to the first commercial plant. These improvements which depict the present status of the process for cottonseed include principally certain modifications in the method of conditioning of the meats or flakes prior to cooking and in the procedure for crisping; selection of best conveyor type for conveying cooked material over relatively long distances without objectionable comminution; selection of filter medium combining the desired properties of durability, non‐fouling, and low fines retention; determination of optimum filter‐cake thickness; and development of a method for clarification of the product miscella by continuous recycling through the formed cake on the filter. Also discussed is the quality and color stability of the oil produced from comparable lots of cottonseed by the filtration‐extraction process, as compared with that by hydraulic pressing, and by solvent extraction of uncooked flakes.

Application and Design of the Floating Drive for Conveyors

Abstract Increasing demand for longer conveyors and conveyors more heavily loaded per foot of length has brought about the necessity of using multiple drives on a single strand of conveyor chain in order to keep the weight and cost of chain and carrier units down to a reasonable point. To meet this requirement there has been developed a floating type of driving mechanism so arranged that two or more drives located at considerable distances from each other will automatically synchronize as to speed so as to maintain proper driving action at each drive point. The paper describes in detail the development of this design and its application to various types of conveyors, pointing out the advantages obtained through its use not only as a synchronizing means, but also in properly distributing the total load, in effecting smoother operation, in replacement of the standard form of shear pin, etc.

Rustless-Steel Conveyors—Their Availability, Application, and Use

Abstract The paper covers corrosion-resistant metals for material-handling use, giving tables of relative corrosion resistance and costs under reasonably average conditions, particularly where food products are concerned. The various available materials are briefly described, and their good and bad features and qualities are developed. The types of conveyors for which these materials have been used are given, and the important and characteristic installation features of each are discussed.

Handling Materials at the Postum Company

Abstract This paper offers a discussion of various types of conveyors in general use, together with descriptions of a few specialized conveyors. Practically every phase of manufacturing at the Postum plant embraces operations performed on the material in course of handling—especially is this true of modern automatic packaging machinery, referred to in this article. An enlarged section treats with the operation and mechanical details of the “intercommunicating pilot-car package-conveying system,” used as a connecting link between shipping points. This system automatically handles a wide variety of cased products and offers selective loading at each of four shipping points. It has effected quite considerable economies and has made it possible to utilize widely separated storage spaces, more or less as a unit.

Sugar-Warehouse Conveying Systems

Abstract In this paper the author describes conveying equipment installed at the Crockett, Calif., plant of the California and Hawaiian Sugar Refining Corp. First, a general description of the plant layout is given, together with an explanation of certain conditions which demand large storage facilities for both raw and refined sugar. Among the types of conveyors described are belt conveyors, depressed floor conveyors, slat conveyors, a specially designed screw conveyor, and various portable and semi-portable conveyors. The duty to be performed by each of these types is mentioned, and the maintenance problem is discussed. An interesting weighing conveyor, which receives the bagged sugar directly from the steamer, is described. A part of the paper deals in an explanatory manner with the very interesting central-control board, through which the entire system is under instant control. An interesting comparison of manual and conveyor handling is given, with the figures well in favor of the latter method.