A modular chute system for providing safe convenient access to an inside cavity of the chute system from a variety of locations to enhance safer serviceability features a chute channel formed from a plurality of chute sections. Each chute section is formed from a plurality of rigid structural panels. An edge flange is disposed on each panel edge encompassing an entire panel outer periphery, and the edge flange of one panel is connected to the edge flange of another structural panel. Upon removal of a structural panel or set of adjacent structural panels, the chute channel is self-supporting and non-collapsing. Chute serviceability, such as replacement of interior liners or panels, can be accomplished by removing panels and replacing liners without entering the chute cavity.

A material distribution system for efficiently distributing a material such as molasses products into one or more containers. The material distribution system generally includes an auger for conveying a material and a hopper connected to the auger. The hopper is adapted to receive the material from the auger. A distributor is rotatably connected below the lower opening of the hopper such that the material may flow through the lower opening into the distributor. A cutter is slideably connected between the hopper and the distributor, wherein the cutter is adjustable between a first position covering the lower opening of the hopper and a second position not covering the lower opening of the hopper. The cutter is adapted to cut through the material such that a portion of the material exits the distributor via an outlet.

A transfer chute (10) for use in bulk materials handling operations, and also a methodology for designing such a transfer chute, a method of constructing the transfer chute, and a method of transferring bulk materials between two locations using the transfer chute. The transfer chute (10) comprises a chute body (11) defining a flow pathway (19), with an upper section (19a) of the flow pathway accommodating accelerating flow to maintain dense granular flow regime, an intermediate section (19b) of the flow pathway providing consolidated flow in which the flow rate is retarded in a controlled manner avoiding creation of flow turbulence, and a lower section (19c) of the flow pathway in which flow is further retarded to create a controlled accumulation and build-up of material upwardly from the lower section.

An articulated liner system for the protection of mining equipment surfaces subject to impact and abrasive wear caused by the circulation, loading and/or transport of ores, having a one-piece liner mat and an anchorage assembly with a first part having one mat fastening means and a second part having at least one supporting means for the anchorage assembly. The supporting means is fixed to a reference surface of the mining equipment. The liner mat is fixedly arranged in the one mat fastening means of the first part of the anchorage assembly. The first part of the anchorage assembly is joined to the second part of the anchorage assembly, enabling the mat to be arranged over the mining equipment surface when the joint between the first and the second parts of the anchorage assembly is driven. A method of installation, maintenance and manufacture is also provided.

A depositor apparatus is disclosed. The depositor apparatus may include an operator assembly configured to receive an operator, a conveyor assembly coupled to the operator assembly and configured to move a plurality of product, and a multi-chute assembly coupled to the conveyor assembly and aligned with the operator assembly. The multi-chute assembly includes a plurality of chute assemblies. Each chute assembly includes a chute and a door assembly coupled to the chute and configured to selectively open and thereby drop a product into a single pouch below the door assembly. The door assembly includes a first door and a second door. The door assembly may be configured to prevent liquid or byproduct from the product to land on a seal edge of the single pouch.

Provided is a dew condensation prevention device for a discharge chute. A tip end portion of the discharge chute has inverted truncated cone-shaped internal and external chutes, a space is provided between an outer surface of the internal chute and an inner surface of the external chute, and a first air discharge port that communicates with the space is provided between respective lower ends of the two chutes. A cylindrical portion having an air reservoir in the interior thereof is provided to surround an outer peripheral surface of the external chute, and by providing an opening between an inner peripheral edge of a lower surface of the cylindrical portion and the outer peripheral surface of the external chute, a second air discharge port that communicates with the air reservoir is provided. Air input pipes for introduction of dry air are connected to the external chute and the cylindrical portion, respectively.

Provided is a dew condensation prevention device for a discharge chute. A tip end portion of the discharge chute has inverted truncated cone-shaped internal and external chutes, a space is provided between an outer surface of the internal chute and an inner surface of the external chute, and a first air discharge port that communicates with the space is provided between respective lower ends of the two chutes. A cylindrical portion having an air reservoir in the interior thereof is provided to surround an outer peripheral surface of the external chute, and by providing an opening between an inner peripheral edge of a lower surface of the cylindrical portion and the outer peripheral surface of the external chute, a second air discharge port that communicates with the air reservoir is provided. Air input pipes for introduction of dry air are connected to the external chute and the cylindrical portion, respectively.

A method of reducing contamination in a silicon product includes: moving silicon pieces along a conveyance system, wherein the conveyance system comprises a liner having a polished surface finish with a surface roughness of less than or equal to 12 microinches; and moving the silicon pieces across the conveyance system, wherein the silicon pieces contain a reduced number of impurities as compared to silicon pieces in contact with a liner having an unpolished surface. A crushing tool includes: crushing tool elements configured to crush silicon into fragments, wherein the crushing tool elements comprise a surface comprising a polished surface finish with a surface roughness of less than or equal to 12 microinches. A conveyance system includes: a first conveyor discharged onto a second conveyor; wherein the first conveyor comprises a first liner and wherein the second conveyor comprises a second liner.

A hopper apparatus comprises a movable wall comprising opposing walls movably connected to a support assembly and oriented at acute angles relative to a central vertical axis of the support assembly, and movement control devices configured and positioned to move the opposing walls along the support assembly to control dimensions of a discharge outlet at least partially defined by converging ends of the opposing walls; a liner assembly comprising liner structures at least partially overlying inner surfaces of the opposing walls and configured to remain at least partially stationary relative to the opposing walls during movement of the opposing walls; and pressure sensors between the inner surfaces of opposing walls and portions of the liner structures thereover. A bulk solids processing system and a method of processing a bulk solid are also described.

A sensing device and system is configured for sensing the temperature, vibration or other characteristics of conveyor rollers and transmitting data pertaining to the condition of the rollers to a remote server to indicate maintenance requirements. The system is configured to only transmit data when an abnormal characteristic is sensed, so that power and data requirements of the monitoring system is minimized. Each sensing device is installed in the shaft of a conveyor roller with its transmission antenna positioned to protrude from an end of the roller. A central server receives the transmitted sensor data and a user interface provides maintenance information to a user so that any required maintenance of a roller can be initiated.