REDWIRE How Matcon IBCs solve common issues with powder mix segregation

February 2, 2021 REDWIRE is news you can use from leading suppliers. Powered by FRASERS.

Posted by Firing Industries Ltd


The business objective of FIRING INDUSTRIES LTD. is to consult with clients to select and supply technically complex PRO... Read more

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powder mix segregation

Matcon IBCs use a special Cone Valve technology.

Matcon’s innovative Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) are perfect for powder handling in food processing, and they are available from Firing Industries Ltd. A key benefit of these products is prevention of powder mix segregation. Powder segregating in the manufacturing process results in product quality issues; improper handling along the process chain can undermine even a top quality mixture. This is less important in certain market sectors, but with products containing vitamins and minerals, a homogeneous mixture is the only acceptable outcome.

Common causes of segregation

In the process of moving, pouring, conveying, or processing material, every step affects quality. If the product becomes un-mixed, it changes the proportion of ingredients in each of the consumer consumption units. Powder mix segregation can become an issue with recipes that use multiple powders. To maintain quality, modern recipes frequently use various powder types, each with a different particulate characteristic. Differences in size, shape, or density of powder particles can cause mixture separation.

A significant source of segregation is particle size. When product is transferred between processing steps, in-flight material travels at various speeds depending on size, resulting in trajectory segregation, as larger particles are projected further. Another cause of powder mix segregation, percolation, occurs when small particles move down through mass falling into spaces between larger particles, typically during shaking or vibration of the hopper when charging or discharging. Simultaneously, larger particles move up as voids are created and filled in with smaller particles. These changes in powder state often happen during traditional handling processes.

IBCs by Matcon are built to create mass powder flow with their 60-degree hopper angles, smooth interior surfaces, and the Cone Valve technology. Mass flow occurs when all of the powder is in motion across the whole container when users withdraw any of it. This causes a first-in, first-out flow sequence, which eliminates stagnant areas and provides steady discharge with consistent bulk density, plus a uniform, well-controlled flow. This keeps mixes homogeneous and maintains quality during discharge.

For top industrial powder solutions, trust Firing Industries.

To learn more, contact Firing Industries’ application-sales engineers at ddubuc@firing.com or (877) 688-0974.


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Posted by Firing Industries Ltd


The business objective of FIRING INDUSTRIES LTD. is to consult with clients to select and supply technically complex PRO... Read more

Contact supplier