Solids Handling Discharge Bulk Bag Dischargers

Bulk Bag Dischargers

Bulk Bag Discharging Systems, FIBC and Big Bag Unloaders

Performance-proven Design and Construction

NBE bulk bag discharger systems are designed for rigorous duty in critical applications. Every NBE bulk bag discharging system, regardless of its particular design or application, operates on a process-specific, fully welded structural framework chassis; unlike the bolt-together unloader designs typical in the market. The NBE integrated construction and controls infrastructure enables all automation and control functions to be centralized to a single, menu-driven HMI. This NBE integrated construction and controls infrastructure provides the basis for reduced total cost of ownership, relative to the common concept of divergent 'islands' of equipment and controls, while also improving process performance and the accuracy of production data shared throughout the enterprise.

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Features and Integration:

Bulk Bag Support Frameworks

NBE bulk bag discharger systems are designed for rigorous duty in critical applications. Every NBE bulk bag discharger, regardless of its particular design or application, operates on a process-specific, fully welded structural framework chassis; unlike bolt-together unloader designs typical in the market. The standard support framework is constructed of heavy-duty structural steel and/or tubular steel that is continuous welded to provide superior structural integrity. The upper and lower framework of the bulk bag discharger combine to safely support and contain the bulk bag and its materials.

Bulk Bag Hangers

NBE bulk bag hangers enable safe handling and improved control of the bulk bag during raising and positioning of the bulk bag into the bulk bag support framework. NBE bulk bag hangers incorporate design options to improved material flow from the bag, reduce material waste, and prevent bulk bag liners from inverting through the bag spout during discharge and entering into downstream process equipment.

Material Conditioning Systems

When characteristics of material contained in bulk bags are such that proper material flow is hindered, and offline bag conditioning is inefficient and dangerous, NBE integrated material conditioning devices are necessary components of an NBE bulk bag discharging system. NBE bulk bag material conditioning systems are designed to continuously induce material flow to ensure material unloading is safe and reliable.

Bulk Bag Spout Interfaces

The specification of an NBE bulk bag spout interface, for use when interconnecting the bulk bag spout to the bulk bag discharger, begins with identifying two important factors: the characteristics of the material being discharged, and the style of the bulk bag being used. It is from these factors that the NBE bulk bag spout interface can best be specified to improve the protection of the operator, reduce material contamination, and optimize process efficiency.

Conveying & Processing Interfaces

NBE bulk bag discharging systems are designed, engineered, and manufactured by NBE to provide optimal effectiveness to bulk material processing operations. NBE looks downstream, and upstream, to ensure the integration of NBE material conveying and processing systems to NBE bulk bag discharging systems will deliver the necessary uptime, rate, and quality to the application. NBE integrated conveying and processing interfaces improve material introduction efficiency, ensure accurate downstream material supply, protect material integrity, and protect operator interaction.

Safety Features

Operator safety, product safety, compliance factors, and process complexities; each of these factors, and many more, are the objectives of the highly engineered, integrated construction and controls infrastructure of NBE bulk bag discharger systems.

Forklift Bag Hanger, Standard

The forklift-style bulk bag hanger includes all necessary guides to enable easy loading of the bag into the framework. Also included are manually adjustable bulk bag support hooks to accommodate various bag sizes.
Forklift Bag Hanger, Loop Retractor

When used with a forklift-loading method, the automatic bag loop retractor system draws the corners of the bulk bag upward and inward as material is discharged from the bag. This action forms the bulk bag into a conical shape, improving material flow and providing complete material discharge.
Dedicated Hoist Bag Hanger, Standard

The hoist-style bulk bag hanger has a cross-tube design with overlapping bag loop retainers to safely hold the bag loops; regardless of the bag loop strap tension.
Dedicated Hoist Bag Hanger, Loop Retractor

When used with a dedicated hoist, the automatic bag loop retractor system draws the corners of the bulk bag upward and inward as material is discharged from the bag; this action forms the bulk bag into a conical shape, improving material flow and providing complete material discharge.

Other Bulk Bag Hangers

Massage Paddles

NBE pneumatically actuated massage paddles improve material flow by gradually moving the bottom, outside edge of the bulk bag up and toward the bag spout area, causing positive displacement of the material and accelerating material discharge. Each massage paddle, actuated by a single, 6-inch bore pneumatic cylinder, raises its rounded, flow-aid paddle, under the bag edge, and up to 11 degrees past vertical; ensuring proper flow of the material.
Heavy-Duty Massage Paddles

For highly agglomerated, flow-resistant material, NBE hydraulically powered massage paddles improve material flow by gradually moving the bottom, outside edge of the bulk bag up and toward the bag spout area, causing positive displacement of the material and accelerating material discharge. Actuated by a 1.5 HP, 2 GPM hydraulic power unit mounted directly to the framework, each massage paddle raises its rounded flow-aid paddle into the bag edge and up to 11 degrees past vertical; ensuring proper flow of the material.
Deblocking Rams

For solidified, rock-like material in bulk bags, NBE hydraulically powered deblocking rams fracture highly agglomerated material into smaller clumps to be further reduced in size and prepared for discharge through the bulk bag spout. The face of each deblocking ram has triangular ribs that concentrate pressure at the contact points on the bag. Each of the two NBE deblocking rams has a 5-inch bore by 20-inch stroke hydraulic cylinder. The deblocking rams horizontally traverse using three, 1050 IHCP guide rods with linear bushings; preventing torquing under load and providing smooth operation. The structure framework is constructed of 6 inch by 4 inch tubing, with reinforced bracing to withstand the hydraulic force. The fully integrated hydraulic system is actuated by a 10 HP, 8.5 GPM hydraulic power unit mounted directly to the framework.
Conditioning Rams

For poorly flowing, less agglomerated material in bulk bags, NBE hydraulically powered deblocking rams ensure continuous material flow and prevent bridging as material moves to discharge through the bag spout. The face of each conditioning deblocking ram is domed to disperse pressure out from the central contact points on the bag. Each of the two NBE deblocking rams has a 5-inch bore by 20-inch stroke hydraulic cylinder. The deblocking rams horizontally traverse using three, 1050 IHCP guide rods with linear bushings; preventing torquing under load and providing smooth operation. The structure framework is constructed of 6 inch by 4 inch tubing, with reinforced bracing to withstand the hydraulic force. The fully integrated hydraulic system is actuated by a 10 HP, 8.5 GPM hydraulic power unit mounted directly to the framework.

Other Bulk Bag Flow Aids

E3™ Discharge System

The NBE E3™ bag spout interface provides a dust-tight interconnection between the bulk bag spout and the material discharge path of the NBE bulk bag discharger. In the engage phase of the E3 interconnection a two-stage compression seal between the bag spout and the two, concentric discharge tubes of the E3 assembly is created by the 3/4-inch stainless steel top-clamp plate. Material flow moves from the bulk bag spout through the center tube of the E3. Material dust generated during bag discharge is contained within the outer tube of the E3. In the evacuation phase of the E3 interconnection material dust contained within the outer tube during bag discharge is automatically extracted from the tube, recovered, and re-introduced to the product stream. In the elongation phase of the E3 interconnection the completely sealed E3 assembly automatically lowers as the bag discharges material. The lowering motion of the E3 assembly draws down the compression-sealed bag spout contained within the E3. The tensioning action of the E3 elongates the bulk bag to a taut, conical shape that accelerates material discharge and aids in complete discharge of material from the bulk bag.
Untie Box

The NBE bag spout untie box is a bag spout enclosure that is flanged at the top for connection to a flow control valve, and flanged at the bottom for interconnection to process equipment or a material transfer system. A large, hinged door on the face of the untie box enables the operator to easily access the discharge spout of the bulk bag, and the tie strings on the discharge spout. A toggle-action handle on the door creates a tight, compression-force seal when the door is closed. A safety interlock switch is available on the access door for integration into the control system.
Iris-type Flow Control Valve

The NBE iris-type flow control valve is a manually operated material discharge control mechanism that enables the operator to manage material flow through the bulk bag spout while protecting the operator's hands from contact with material. The tied bag spout is placed through the open iris valve; the iris valve is then closed on the tied bag spout. The operator unties the bag spout, then slowly opens the iris valve to begin material flow. The iris valve is not intended to choke off or collapse a spout while a static column of material is present in the bag spout.
Pinch-type Flow Control Valve

The NBE pinch-type flow control valve is a pneumatically actuated material flow control mechanism that enables the operator to start, and stop, material flow through the bulk bag spout. The pinch function of the valve also aids material flow through the spout of the bulk bag by breaking into small chunks any larger chunks of material that may get caught in the bulk bag spout. The NBE pinch-type valve uses a two-handed pneumatic safety control circuit to actuate the two, opposing pneumatic cylinders.
Bulk Bag Piercing Hopper

For use with spouted or unspouted bulk bags, the NBE bulk bag piercing hopper has an integrated cutting mechanism constructed of triangular, stainless steel, spear-and-blade assemblies. As a bulk bag is lowered onto the spear-and-blade assembly a 25-inch, square flap is cut into the bulk bag bottom; material is discharged from the bulk bag into the 37-cubic feet hopper. The hopper includes an access cover for maintenance of the cutting assembly.
Bulk Bag Support Pan

The NBE bulk bag support pan safely maintains the bulk bag in the discharge position throughout the entire discharge cycle. The sloped bulk bag support pan directs material toward the discharge spout of the bulk bag; the support pan also enables safe access to the bulk bag discharge spout.

Other Bulk Bag Spout Interfaces

Surge Hopper

The NBE surge hopper ensures, as the bulk bag is being discharged, that an appropriate capacity of material is maintained in the surge hopper to deliver continuous material supply to downstream processes; particularly during removal and replacement of the emptied bulk bag. The surge hopper is integrated to the structural framework of the NBE bulk bag discharger. The NBE surge hopper is typically constructed with a 60-degree slope to provide reliable material supply regardless of material flow characteristics.
Agitator Hopper

NBE agitator hoppers are engineered with an internal mechanical agitator to ensure a consistent, reliable material supply is drawn toward the hopper discharge. Regardless of material flow characteristics, the NBE paddle-style or ribbon-style agitator eliminates material bridging and ratholing. For applications requiring reduced changeover times or quick cleaning, NBE agitator hoppers can be engineered with a cantilevered material agitator. The single drive element of the agitator has an air-purge seal on the drive end that is easily accessed, without tools, through the safety-interlocked access door. An available U-trough hopper bottom design adds further ease to cleaning and changeovers.
Combination Hopper

The NBE combination hopper provides a convenient interface for manual introduction of small volumes of material from various container types, such as: bags, pails, or drums. The operator-centric design of the material infeed interface includes dust filtration and collection, assisted container handling, and material contaminant protection. When application requirements call for material agitation within the hopper, NBE combination hoppers are engineered with an integrated paddle-style or ribbon-style material agitator system. The material agitator ensures consistent product flow toward the hopper discharge and prevents material bridging or ratholing within the hopper. To speed changeovers, safety interlocks disable the system to provide safe, tool-less access to the material agitator and hopper.
Size Reduction Equipment

NBE material size reduction systems are engineered to specific, downstream process requirements, to breakdown clumps of material to optimal, conveyable particle sizes; ensuring sufficient material supply, and reliable material integrity.
Feeder Systems

Based on application-specific, downstream product supply requirements, NBE material feeder systems are engineered to provide reliable, accurate transfer of process materials directly from the bulk bag discharger into a variety of integrated conveying systems or process equipment.

Other Conveying & Processing Interfaces

Integrated Dust Collector

The NBE closed-cycle material dust recovery system efficiently collects and filters dusted material that is generated within the enclosed material discharge interface. The recovered and filtered material is re-introduced to the product stream reducing material loss and the release of ambient dust into the work area.
ASME and ANSI Structural Codes

The exceptional load capacities of NBE bulk bag discharging systems enable bulk material processors to run high-volume operations at extended duty cycles; even in harsh environments. The structural framework, engineered and constructed to exceed ASME and ANSI structural codes, operates on a process-specific, fully welded framework chassis; unlike the bolt-together framework designs common in the market.
Frame-mounted Hoist Controls

NBE bulk bag discharger systems are designed to the particular equipment orientation requirements of the application. NBE hardwired hoist controls are mounted to the rear lower framework; at the opposite side of the bulk bag loading area. Operators are positioned away from standing under the bulk bag as it is raised and positioned for discharge.
Safety Interlock Switches

NBE bulk bag discharger systems have safety interlock switches at guarded areas such as doors, panels, gates, and hinge points. The safety interlock switch, integrated to the control system, monitors the guarded area; when the switch is opened, mechanical equipment, within reach of an operator, is disabled.

Bulk Bag Dischargers

Performance-proven Design and Construction

Features and Integration:

Bulk Bag Support Frameworks

Forklift Loading

Dedicated Hoist Loading

Customer-supplied Hoist Loading

Bulk Bag Hangers

Forklift Bag Hanger, Standard

Forklift Bag Hanger, Loop Retractor

Dedicated Hoist Bag Hanger, Standard

Dedicated Hoist Bag Hanger, Loop Retractor

Material Conditioning Systems

Massage Paddles

Heavy-Duty Massage Paddles

Deblocking Rams

Conditioning Rams

Bulk Bag Spout Interfaces

E3™ Discharge System

Untie Box

Iris-type Flow Control Valve

Pinch-type Flow Control Valve

Bulk Bag Piercing Hopper

Bulk Bag Support Pan