The efficiency of a bulk materials handling operation depends heavily on the quality of the flow of materials through our machines. When pluggages occur in our machines, they cost us time, money and resources, not to mention they often present dangers for our operators. Problems inevitably occur in every line of work, but knowing the causes of the problems and your options for solutions help you best bounce back when something does arise.
The Problems
Buildup of material in pipes, chutes, hoppers, silos and staiths are what cause pluggage problems in systems. This can happen with any material but is especially prone to happening when the material is wet or sticky. To make things worse, traditional methods of clearing pluggage, such as using hammers to manually remove the obstruction, can make pipes more susceptible to future blocks because of the dents these methods cause in the equipment.
Unfortunately, blocks in the system usually are not identified until they have caused major problems because operators have no view of the system interior without physically going inside. And at times, operators have had to remove clogs to the system by climbing into tight spaces, which is extremely unsafe.
The price we pay for blocks and the damages to equipment resulting from attempts to remove blocks is loss of efficiency and, ultimately, unnecessary costs for the business. These costs come in the form of downtime at the plant and repairs to damaged equipment. Thankfully, the industry has begun addressing these problems with modern solutions!
The Solutions
At ProcessBarron, we design our own equipment to provide solutions to pluggage problems. We take the time to evaluate every potential situation, material, and pluggage differently. And because prevention is often the best medicine, we also design our equipment strategically to avoid pluggage problems from day one.
Each problem encountered in the bulk materials handling industry is unique, and we always conduct a thorough analysis of the problem before devising the best solution. Call us today and let us help you find your solution!