Avoid material handling headaches

Dec. 9, 2009 – The bulk handling of certain types of waste-to-energy products presents specific
challenges. Compared to free-flowing materials like liquids, gasses, grains,
coal, or pet coke, most biomass or refuse-derived fuel can cause material
handling headaches. When systems engineers and plant managers recognize and
address these challenges early in the design process, equipment can be selected
to ensure efficient and reliable flow.

Keith Walking Floor systems reliably automate the receiving, storage, and metering of difficult
bulk materials into grinding, screening, and refining processes or when used as
unprocessed fuel. Walking Floor systems are also used at the back end of these
processes to collect ash, filter cake, sludge, and spent distiller grains for
transport to the next process. An efficient biomass plant needs an effective
fuel storage and metering system. Keith Walking Floor systems automate the
feeding process, delivering material in a consistent manner and storing it
until needed. This results in decreased jams, virtually no bridging problems,
and reduced maintenance.

The foundation of the technology is a series of hydraulically actuated floor slats and a drive unit.
The drive unit powers the slats through a four-phase cycle to convey the
material. In each of the first three cycles, one-third of the slats move while
the remaining two-thirds remain in place. In the final cycle, all slats move
together, conveying the load. While in motion, the floor slats remain
horizontal, moving in a forward to backward stroke.

Walking Floor bins handle biomass and other alternative fuels. The systems handle difficult bulk
materials at competitive costs and require minimal power and maintenance
compared to conventional belt, chain, and screw systems.

www.keithwalkingfloor.com, 1-800-547-6161