Flow Aid Solutions

Flow Aids ‘ is the generic term used for any device used to promote flow from hoppers and down chutes. VSS has many years experience in supplying vibrators for this purpose, from a gentle action to something more forceful.

The usual problems are caused by the product sticking to the hopper walls, bridging over the hopper outlet, or sticking to itself, with only the product directly over the outlet discharging. In these cases a correctly chosen vibrator will help the product move.

The rule of thumb is that fine, dry materials will need a high frequency, low amplitude vibration, while coarser products usually respond better to low frequency vibration. In all cases we are trying to vibrate the product, not the hopper!

Fine / Dry Product
Rotary models are most often used on fine dry materials, as these materials often only need gentle vibration to make them flow. Larger particles, over 40 mm, may need more amplitude and lower requency.

Damp / Larger Size Product
Linear non-impacting models are excellent for larger size dry product and damp materials where the extra working moment is required.

Thin Skins/Sticky Material
Impacting models are often used on sticky material or thin skins as formed in spray dryers.