Regulating the flow of material out of hoppers is a crucial step in ensuring that downstream processing equipment is able to operate efficiently. In the steel industry too much or too little material can lead to excessive wear and tear on equipment and off-spec final products leading to downtime, expensive repairs, and waste.
A customer reached out to JVI in need of a vibratory pan feeder to replace an electromagnetic feeder that was not able to consistently deliver the required 250 TPH of material capacity. The feeder would be placed under a burnt lime hopper and be used to control the flow of material from the hopper to a conveyor belt that would take the material to downstream processing equipment. After speaking with the customer about the application and gaining a full understanding of its requirements JVI was able to develop a custom vibratory pan feeder to meet the customer’s requirements. The package that JVI designed included:
Single Mass Vibratory Design
The pan feeder would utilize a single mass vibratory design that reduces the number of components when compared to traditional dual-mass designs. The reduced number components improve reliability increasing operating life of the feeder. The single mass design also eliminates the need for tuning. This enables the feeders to continue to operate through weight changes that stockpiled material over a feeders will encounter.
Electromechanical Motors
Electromechanical motors were selected for their proven performance high volume continuous discharge applications. By using electromechanical motors, the feeder will be able to handle the required 250 TPH of material capacity.
Integrated Chute Work
An integrated chute work package was included properly transition the material from the upstream hopper into the feeder allowing for maximum throughput.
Replaceable Wear Liners for the Pan and Chute Work
To address the high volume and abrasion from the burnt lime, replaceable bolt on Hardox wear liners were added to the bottom and sidewalls of the pan, as well as the inner sidewalls of the integrated chute work. These liners provide a layer of protection for the feeder from the material further increasing its operating life. The bolt on design also enables easy replacement helping to further extend the feeders operating life.
Stand with Chute Work Support
A custom stand for the feeder was added to position the feeder under the hopper. Support for the chute work was integrated into the stand. This was needed to be able to place the feeder in the available work envelope under the hopper.
The package provides reliable, low maintenance vibratory pan feeder that meets the requirements of application given by the customer. The feeder was approved and JVI began the manufacturing process. Today the vibratory pan feeder is integrated into the process providing reliable, low maintenance feeding of burnt lime stone from the hopper to a belt conveyor for downstream equipment.
