These powders were normally stored inside 1 cubic metre bins or textile containers called big bags or in 20 to 50 kilo sacks. All had to be transferred inside 4 reactors, later added with liquid reagents using 2” ARO AOD membrane pumps. Filling was with a mechanical conveyor system using a pipe inside conical nylon disks pulled by a chain. Each disk transports a given amount of product. This method mostly used in the animal feed business is rather costly and pollutes powders due to wear of the disks inside the pipes, which release particles inside the powders conveyed.

A 3” alluminium Aro powder pump with Santoprene membranes and valves was installed to solve the problems described. It operates at 2.8 bars and 5-bar pressure at motor and fluidification chamber respectively. Flex pipe diameter is 100 millimetres. Initial results underscored that delivery is not only affected by product specific gravity but also by component particle size.
Delivery measurements in kilos per minute are as follows:
Calcium carbonate: 60 Kilos
Martinal® hydrated alumina AlOH3: 70 Kilos
Titanium dioxide: 30 Kilos
The Customer classed these results as satisfactory, but they were further improved upon later.

Leda has so far already handled 100 tons of powders with the 3” ARO pumps. The advantages as specified by Leda Maintenance Manager Fausto Piccinini are:
• Money savings with shorter maintenance times
• Improved working environment
• Much safer production process

Fausto Piccinini says: GL Finishing-ARO has solved all my handling problems.