National Bulk Equipment, Inc. (NBE). This bulk bag unloader system, handling highly caustic, severely agglomerated material, operates as a closed process; ensuring the protection of operators from migrant, airborne material and eliminating the possibility for contamination of material in-process. The highly compressible material requires integrated bulk bag conditioning to provide sufficient material supply. A sequential, 4-stage process, including: hydraulic de-blocking rams each with 28,000 pounds of force; hydraulic massage paddles each with 2,200 pounds of paddle pressure; an E3™ enclosed, bag spout interface to collect dust and aid discharge; and automatic bulk bag loop retractors to ensure complete material discharge, work together to condition the material from football-sized chunks to ¼-inch, or smaller particles. The enclosed system conveys the material downstream at a rate of 18,000 pounds per hour.

NBE integrated automation centralizes system control, communication, monitoring, and reporting using dust-tight enclosures, and a single, UL listed HMI, designed and built by NBE. Operator exposure to caustic material was eliminated, and operator physical ergonomics were optimized as a result of rigorous NBE risk assessment procedures. NBE expertise in specifying, designing, and manufacturing process systems to application-appropriate codes, standards, and regulations ensured system compliance at start-up.