Hopper Scales with SysTec IT8000E weighing electronics

SysTec Systemtechnik und Industrieautomation GmbH (Germany) – High throughput with automatic discontinuous totalizers for bulk weighing of grain.

Totalizing hopper scales are designed for accurate and versatile monitoring of material flows. Various process steps can be managed effciently, such as raw material receiving, unloading, and dosing. FLINTAB is an expert in this field and has been using SysTec IT8000E weighing electronics and customized BULK E software for years to master these demanding applications flawlessly. Recently, FLINTAB has sucessfully realized two projects with automatic discontinuous totalizers in Romania for the companies AMEROPA / CHIMPEX and TTS. The goal was to carry out the loading of ships/barges with bulk material with high throughputs and metrological accuracy.

Facts: AMEROPA / CHIMPEX project:

• 4 hopper scale systems located in Constanța
• Up to 1,200 cubic meters of grain per hour are weighed with the totalizing hopper scales and then transported to the final destination by sea

Facts: TTS project:

• 3 hopper scale systems located in cities near Danube river (Giurgiu, Braila)
• Up to 400 cubic meters of grain per hour are weighed with the totalizing hopper scales and then transported to the final destination by Danube river

Products:

• IT8000E: W&M approved and robust SysTec weighing indicators
• SysTec application software BULK E (customized)
• Hopper scale design, construction and maintenance by SysTec partner FLINTAB Romania

Process description:

The hopper scale system is placed in an existing feeder. After opening the supply flap, the material flows into the weighing vessel (the drain flap under the weighing vessel is closed). When the default weight in the weighing vessel is reached, the feed flap closes, the weight value is stored, and the drain flap opens to discharge the weighed content from the weighing vessel into the draining vessel.

The emptying vessel unloads the product into the existing transporting system (e.g. another buffer hopper, elevator, conveyor belt, truck, wagon, ship) with a lower flow rate than that at which it unloads the weighing vessel, thus preventing overloading of the downstream transporting systems.

The electronic system controls the entire dosing process, monitoring the states of the various component parts and signaling any error that may occur during this process.

When the weighing vessel has emptied, the emptying flap is closed and the weight value of the material that may have remained in the vessel is stored.

During this time, the material continues to flow and accumulates in the feeding vessel, and so the feed is made in continuous flow, without interruption.

Customer benefits:

• The electronic system controls the entire dosing process, and monitors the states of the component parts
• Excellent weighing accuracy below 0.1%
• SysTec weighing electronics are suitable for harsh environments
• Maximum throughput due to fast signal processing with integrated digital filters
• Easy integration of the weighing electronics into the overall system thanks to various interfaces

The end customer AMEROPA / CHIMPEX:

Founded in 1948, AMEROPA is a privately owned international agri-business. The company produces, originates and markets fertilisers and grains. In the chemicals sector, all types of nitrogen, phosphate and potash fertilizers are traded worldwide.

In 2012, CHIMPEX became part of AMEROPA Group:

Since 1971, CHIMPEX has been one of the leading and most dynamic port operating and stevedoring companies in the Port of Constanța, being the main port operator for solid chemical products (bulk, big bags and others) and grains, with a total storage capacity of 600,000 MT.

The end customer TTS:

Founded in 1997, TTS is specialized in the maritime and land transport of bulk and packed commodities goods. Complete transport solutions and capacity to accommodate significant quantities of cargo enabled TTS to become a reliable service provider for top commodity traders.

TTS is member of PRO DANUBE Vienna who is running new projects to develop the infrastructure for logistics on the inland waterways of Europe (TEN-T).