Goals: Feedrepeatedlyandreliablysmall amountsof glass balls or glass chipsto bemixedwiththenuclear fuelcycle ends.Thedifficultyis to dosematerialswithverydifferentflow characteristics(free flowing , but difficulttocontrolfortheballsand difficult to extract for the chips). Themetering accuracyrequired, and +/-0.5g.Thesystem wasskidmountedand testedinourworkshops.
Benefits of MCPIFinedosing solution:
The ability to control with the same efficiency thefeedingof the balls and chips (free and poor flowing materials).
No wear despitetheextremeaggressivenessof glass chips.
A fast discharge of the feeder is provided by thesecond outlet.
Performance / technical data:
Min. dosing time
: 20 sec
Type of load cell
: analogical ( scales resolution :0.1 g)
Min. and max. dose
: from 60 g to 120 g
Fast discharge
: With a second outlet, in opposite direction of the dosing outlet (the feeder works in return speed).
Weighing principle
: The material is dosed in a swivelling bowl, mounted on a load cell.
Weighing controller
: With adjustable coarse - fine flows commutation, tolerance control.
Advantages
Flexibility to cope with quite different materials (balls and chips)
Low friction between ingredient and machine parts, ensuring wear free operation.
Pictures:
General view of the skid mounted feeder .
Detailed view of the swivelling bowl and load cell (protected in a stainless steel housing).
Extractor outlet.
Discharge of ingredient with reverse motion and a second outlet
Results
Dosing of glass balls, diameter 4 mm: 60g in 12 sec, standard deviation: 0.19 g
Fine dosing SPA-A : Indium balls Ø 1.5 mm - set point: 6 g - Standard deviation: 0.028 g
MCPI weighing controllers for an easier operation and a better process control