FLO-PAD

BULLETIN 963

The Monitor Flo-Pad bin aerator is a device used to promote the flow of dry bulk powders from a storage vessel without the noise and damaging vibration caused by pneumatic or electric vibrators. The Flo-Pad uses multiple Evassers mounted on a single air plenum chamber inside the vessel and is capable of aerating many types of bulk powders and granular solids in bins, hoppers and silos including some of the most difficult applications.

While the Flo-Pad is able to discharge air at up to 80 psi (5.5 bar) to help dislodge and move settled materials, the single Flo-Pad is used to maintain flowability of material with a constant 2 to 5 psi (0.14 to 0.35 bar) supply of air.

Unlike other types of aerators that use cotton or canvas to diffuse the air, the Flo-Pad uses multiple Evassers, which are less likely to be bound or clogged due to moisture. In addition, the Flo-Pad is not as prone to back-flow of material because the standard neoprene boot on the Evassers expands to let the pressurized air out and contracts when the air is shut off blocking the air outlets from material backflow.

Principle of Operation

The Flo-Pad uses multiple Evasser bin aerators mounted on a single air plenum chamber for optimal efficiency in even some of the most difficult applications to continuously introduce air into a mass of stored powder. When first conveyed into a storage vessel, the powder is actually a highly aerated mixture of air and particulate. In this state, the mixture flows quite easily. As the material settles, the particulate and air separate. The material decreases in volume and increases in density (it packs), and in turn it begins to behave like one solid mass rather than a fluid mixture of particles. The Evassers on the Flo-Pad replace the naturally lost air and increase and maintain the air-to-particulate mixture ratio, thus allowing the material to flow.

Applications

The most effective aeration of dry bulk materials is typically achieved by the use of multiple rows of Flo-Pads, one row located in each quadrant of the slopping bin bottom. The Flo-Pad can be used to aerate dry powders and granular materials. The spacing between rows and individual Flo-Pads can vary from application to application. In all cases, please consult with the Monitor application engineers for a recommendation that meets your specific material flow problem.

Features

Accessories

For high pressure or high temperature applications where the boot is not acceptable, a sintered metal insert can be provided.

Specifications

Warranty

Monitor Technologies warrants each Flo-Pad it manufactures to be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use and service within two (2) years from the date of purchase. The purchaser must notify Monitor of any defects within the warranty period, return the product intact, and prepay transportation charges. The obligation of Monitor Technologies LLC under this warranty is limited to repair or replacement at its factory. This warranty does not apply to any product which is repaired or altered outside of Monitor Technologies' factory, or which has been subject to misuse, negligence, accident, incorrect wiring by others, or improper installation.

963A.3.0407

Global Flour Processor Uses Flexar® Guided Wave Radar

A large global flour processor and food products company recently began using the Flexar® guided wave radar in a total of eighteen (18) silos and bins to manage their finished product inventory.  Readings from these continuous level sensors is reported as being reliable and accurate, even during pneumatic filling, contrary to their previous measuring system.  A previous non-performing ultrasonic system was replaced by the Flexar level sensors.  Flexar guided wave radar level sensors were chosen as the best for pneumatically filled dust laden flour silos.

Eight (8) Flexar level sensors are installed in load-out silos that fill bulk trucks with processed and finished flour.  These silos are 12ft in diameter and 35ft tall.  The finished flour is pneumatically conveyed into these silos.  During filling the internal environment of the silos is very dusty and turbulent.  The finished flour in these silos is used for loading bulk transport trucks for distribution.  In addition, ten (10) Flexar level sensors are installed in 40ft high bins that contain bran.  This material is also sent by bulk transport to end users.

All of the Flexar level sensors are equipped with an RS485 digital communications output that is connected to a PC with a graphical user interface for inventory management purposes.  Monitor’s SiloTrack™ inventory management software is used by the facility to monitor and manage material inventories of both the finished flour and the bran.  SiloTrack allows for multiple user viewing and data access via LAN and this is how the facility will be using the software that provides a flexible, graphical user interface, alarms, report generation and history analysis functions.

Guided wave radar is especially well suited to level measurement applications of dusty powder materials even when measuring during pneumatic filling.  Flexar guided wave radar utilizes TDR (time domain reflectometry) technology.  Radar pulses are continuously transmitted down the sensor’s probe and guided to the material surface where they are reflected back to the electronics along the wave guide.  The time-of-flight of the pulses is measured and directly related to the distance to the material surface and its level.

>>Click here for more information about Flexar guided wave radar continuous level measurement sensors.
>>Download Product Bulletin 353A
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