In a granular material supply system including a tank that stores granular material, a carrier line through which the granular material flowing out of the tank is carried to a carrier destination, and a cutout line that connects the tank and the carrier line and through which the granular material flowing out of the tank is supplied to the carrier line, a control device includes a density control unit configured to control a density of the granular material on a downstream side of a junction of the cutout line and the carrier line to a set value predetermined and a flow rate control unit configured to control a flow rate of the granular material to be supplied to the carrier destination through the carrier line to a command value instructed by the carrier destination.

A method and system for trans-loading solid particulates from a hopper to a storage container, by clamping a trough to a discharge gate of the hopper, the trough having an open top, sides, and a bottom, a vacuum pipe extending into the trough, and at least one aerator located on the trough, to which is provided an aerating gas. The method further comprises at least partially evacuating the storage container to cause at least a partial vacuum therein and drawing a vacuum through a conveyor hose connected to the trough.

A method and system for trans-loading solid particulates from a hopper to a storage container, by clamping a trough to a discharge gate of the hopper, the trough having an open top, sides, and a bottom, a vacuum pipe extending into the trough, and at least one aerator located on the trough, to which is provided an aerating gas. The method further comprises at least partially evacuating the storage container to cause at least a partial vacuum therein and drawing a vacuum through a conveyor hose connected to the trough.

A hopper loader having a hopper connected to a vacuum source for applying a vacuum to the hopper to convey material into the hopper through a material inlet. A material separator is disposed between the material inlet and the vacuum source for filtering the material. A material discharge assembly is connected to the hopper and disposed for controlling downwardly gravity flow of the material from the hopper, the material discharge assembly having a material outlet configured to be opened and closed to control the discharge of material from the hopper. A vacuum detector is disposed between the material separator and the vacuum source. A vacuum activated control operatively connected to the vacuum detector and configured to turn off the vacuum source in response to a signal from the vacuum detector.

A hopper loader having a hopper connected to a vacuum source for applying a vacuum to the hopper to convey material into the hopper through a material inlet. A material separator is disposed between the material inlet and the vacuum source for filtering the material. A material discharge assembly is connected to the hopper and disposed for controlling downwardly gravity flow of the material from the hopper, the material discharge assembly having a material outlet configured to be opened and closed to control the discharge of material from the hopper. A vacuum detector is disposed between the material separator and the vacuum source. A vacuum activated control operatively connected to the vacuum detector and configured to turn off the vacuum source in response to a signal from the vacuum detector.

A powder feeding device, in particular for coating powder, is disclosed. The powder feeding device includes a dense phase powder pump which has at least one conveying chamber with a powder inlet valve and a powder outlet valve. Furthermore, a control device is provided for selectively operating the dense phase powder pump in a powder conveying more or a flushing operating mode. The powder inlet valve and the powder outlet valve of the dense phase powder pump are configured in each case as a pneumatically actuable compression valve which can be closed when an actuating pressure is applied. The control device is configured to set the pressure value of the actuating pressure which is selected for closing the powder inlet valve and/or powder outlet valve depending on the respective operating mode of the dense phase powder pump and/or depending on a pressure which prevails in the conveying chamber.

A powder feeding device, in particular for coating powder, is disclosed. The powder feeding device includes a dense phase powder pump which has at least one conveying chamber with a powder inlet valve and a powder outlet valve. Furthermore, a control device is provided for selectively operating the dense phase powder pump in a powder conveying more or a flushing operating mode. The powder inlet valve and the powder outlet valve of the dense phase powder pump are configured in each case as a pneumatically actuable compression valve which can be closed when an actuating pressure is applied. The control device is configured to set the pressure value of the actuating pressure which is selected for closing the powder inlet valve and/or powder outlet valve depending on the respective operating mode of the dense phase powder pump and/or depending on a pressure which prevails in the conveying chamber.

A process is described that includes flowing a carrier fluid through a transfer line, feeding polymer pellets into the transfer line at a feed location, measuring a first pressure value of the carrier fluid at a location in the transfer line upstream of the feed location, measuring a second pressure value of the carrier fluid and polymer pellets at a downstream location in the transfer line which is downstream of the feed location, and determining a mass flow rate of the polymer pellets flowing in the transfer line based on a differential pressure between the first pressure value and the second pressure value.

A process is described that includes flowing a carrier fluid through a transfer line, feeding polymer pellets into the transfer line at a feed location, measuring a first pressure value of the carrier fluid at a location in the transfer line upstream of the feed location, measuring a second pressure value of the carrier fluid and polymer pellets at a downstream location in the transfer line which is downstream of the feed location, and determining a mass flow rate of the polymer pellets flowing in the transfer line based on a differential pressure between the first pressure value and the second pressure value.

The present disclosure relates to a method for vibration feeding of bulk material and a vibration feeder device provided for such purposes, comprising a material feed, a charging hopper including a hopper discharge, a feeder tray, a height adjustment means for adjusting a level height between the hopper discharge and the feeder tray, and a vibration driver for driving the feeder tray at an oscillation amplitude and an oscillation frequency, where a target material throughput and material specific parameters of the bulk material are input, initial parameters for the level height, oscillation amplitude and oscillation frequency are determined from these inputs, and subsequently the level height is adjusted by controlling the height adjustment means.