MIXING & BLENDING SYSTEMS
RHONE-POULENC - CONTINUOUS PILOT PLANT
We provided the structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering necessary for the development of a continuous mixer/reactor and dryer for an experimental pilot plant. This was a tough mixing problem primarily due to the resulting sticky slurry, which builds up and dries like concrete from splashing and mixer outfeed. Since this project was experimental, the mixer/reactor was designed for adjustability in retention time, mixing speed, and throughput rate. Much consideration was also given to the existing batch process surrounding the pilot plant as not to relocate, modify or disrupt existing ongoing operations. The project consisted of a weigh feeder, mass flow meter, heat exchanger, mixing vessels, agitators, thermal dryer, and a mechanical extruder/dryer. The pilot plant was considered successful and resulted in an expansion using the continuous reactor.
RHODIA - MONOCAL BLENDING AND CONVEYING
Matrix provided the structural, mechanical and electrical engineering required for the production of a new monocal in an existing process. Major modifications were required to an existing air blending and conveying system and a new separate dust collection system was required to avoid cross contamination between the different products. The dust collection systems for these products were very sophisticated since simultaneous operation was required for the packaging of one product while another was being produced. Matrix provided the engineering for a new control system for the blending, conveying, packaging & dust control system. Matrix also provided total commissioning/start-up support for this system.
RHONE-POULENC - MIXING BATCH TUB
We provided the mechanical and electrical engineering needed to upgrade a vintage 1905 candy mixing tub to a modern mixing design for batching monocalcium phosphate. The reaction, which takes place during mixing, brings the product to a consistency of wet concrete before crystallization. Over 300-hp worth of mixing energy is dissipated into this restored tub. A 200-hp adjustable frequency drive was employed to adjust the speed of the mixing rotor during different stages of the reaction. Rhone-Poulenc engineers had estimated around a million dollars to buy and install a new modern mixer along with the relocations of auxiliary equipment. Using this approach, total project cost was under 100k.
EBONITE INTERNATIONAL- SPECIALTY CORE
Provided structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering necessary to design a specialty core production process for bowling balls. The process consisted of bulk bag and box unloading systems utilizing a vacuum convey system flexible screw conveyors, volumetric feeders, weigh bins, and a batch mixer. We also provided the controls expertise and design for batch mixing of over a hundred different recipes of specialty cores. Matrix engineers also performed intensive start-up, check out, and operator training.
RHONE-POULENC - METAL DETECTION
Our group provided the structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering necessary to replace an existing mechanical mixer, bucket elevator and transfer screw conveyor distribution system with a pneumatic convey/blending system. The intent of the project was to eliminate mechanical metal producers from contaminating the food grade product. Metal detectors were also installed just ahead of the packaging system. A central dust collection system was also required for blending and packaging. This was a very engineering intensive project due to spatial constraints and limited available shutdown time for installation.
|
Projects 
