Buffer hopper

Buffer hopper

The buffer hopper is a container designed to store material (powder, granules, bulk…) awaiting conditioning or transformation. This hopper is usually weighed or equipped with level probes (low and high).
It is used as an intermediary between the upper and lower parts of the Big Bag station.

The buffer hopper can be integrated into a filling station or a big bag emptying station.

Description

It can be fitted with a bin activator. While a product is waiting in a buffer hopper, it may become heavier due to moisture or heat. The time the product spends in the buffer hopper is known as the ‘dwell time’.

This equipment has a number of advantages, including

  • It provides better product metering at the big bag inlet or outlet.
  • It makes it easier to control the product flow by reducing its speed.
  • It increases the output when filling or emptying the big bag.
  • It allows friction to be controlled in ATEX zones, ensuring safer extraction.

A buffer hopper can be made of carbon steel or stainless steel, depending on the application.