Even in a controlled plant environment, homogenous blending of dry and wet ingredients to specific ratios is a challenge. Doing the same in the field requires a different, unconventional approach.
This mobile mixing unit allows users to transport chemicals in their stable dry state and mix them on-site as needed, with available water. The 40-foot flatbed trailer with a fully functional, customized mobile-mixing delivery system, is ready to go wherever needed, says Kalamazoo, Mich.-based Hapman.
Controlling the dry material-to-water ratio allows tailoring the solution to the process as field conditions change. The mobile approach allows for a wide range of different concentrations. In continuous- or batch-control, operators can select concentrations and quickly respond to changing worksite requirements.
This unit meets local and federal transportation requirements, and its maximum height won’t exceed the lowest major highway overpasses. The system withstands all weather conditions, as well as the wear and tear of highway speeds and rough off-road environments.
In some cases, where several materials are required, the system weighs multiple components — either in batch- or continuous-mode — and mixes them together through a common eductor. A “vortex” action effectively achieves a thorough blending of fluids and powders.
In fact, the eductor, the developers say, is the system’s heart, which, along with a unique wetting cone, pre-wets the material. As the eductor draws in the pre-wetted material via a vacuum created by Venturi effect, it further blends the slurry with the motive liquid, generating a turbulent mixing action. The Hapman system controls flow to the eductor and wetting cone to precisely the desired ratio of powders to liquid.
A flexible screw conveyor moves chemical powder from bulk bag unloader into the mixing process. Mixing system moving parts are hydraulically driven, though standard electric motors could as easily be used. Bag house and storage bin accommodate both bulk bags and dry powder vacuum-transferred from another bulk-handling truck. A collection system prevents dust from leaving the system. Finally, the hopper, set beneath the dust collector, has a Plexiglas window, allowing operators to monitor material in the on-board storage hopper.
The scale system, unique in design, isolates its load cells in transport mode. Auto-calibration allows users to validate load cells before each operation. A single operator runs the entire system, and all controls on-board are easily accessible.
This system, its developers say, provides the unique ability to homogenously blend solids and liquids on demand at the raw material source, or at remote and non-traditional processing locations.
