Vitelia enjoys working with DSH's loading system

"The DSH truly makes the difference and is indispensable in the field of dust reduction."

Since 2017, in Wanssum, North Limburg, there has been a ground material transfer facility of the feed cooperative Vitelia. A 65-meter-high silo complex with 31 silos, each with a height of 40 meters, and a total storage capacity of 33,750 m³. Inland ships bring soy and corn, for example, for chicken and pig feed, which is temporarily stored in bulk until the raw material trucks come to load it.

We are speaking in the "tower" - with a beautiful view of the surroundings - with the operator of this state-of-the-art silo complex. He ensures that all processes during the intake and loading of raw materials run smoothly. On the day we are guests, some raw material trucks will come to load raw materials. It's fascinating to witness this process and see how we have made a positive contribution to it with the help of the DSH loading system, however small it may be in the grand scheme. But more on that later!

Dust Development

During the transfer of dry, loose, granular materials, and granules, dust development is a well-known problem. It happens that dangerous thresholds are exceeded during transfer, personal complaints arise, and there is also a risk of dust explosions. Dust development during loading is, therefore, a focal point for Vitelia. The operator asked our colleague Ger den Heijer, Product Manager Solids Handling, for a way to reduce dust development during loading without losing product. Ger said: "My advice was to install a DSH loading system under the silos that hovers above the bulk or tank trucks. The DSH removes excess air from the raw material during discharge, causing it to fall in a tight stream downwards, with minimal dust development."

Vitelia chose the DSH 4, with a diameter of 1410 mm x 1515 mm, made of corten steel. This allows for maximum loading between 450 and 700 m³/h. Vitelia chose to have the DSHs custom-made in the color off-white instead of opting for the standard yellow color. The hoppers are available in polyethylene, corten steel, hardox, or stainless steel, making them suitable for different types of solids (hygroscopic, abrasive+, food).

In Practice

Meanwhile, we can already see the raw material trucks approaching from afar. How does the loading of raw materials using the DSH loading system work in practice? The drivers enter the site with cards and then go to one of the three loading bays. The loading process then proceeds fully automatically. The DSH works like a clever funnel with a cone mounted via a suspension with springs. The funnel expels the air from the product, causing the product being loaded via the DSH to fall in a tight stream downwards, indeed with minimal dust development! It's a beautiful process to watch, and the filling of the trucks is incredibly fast! In just 10 minutes, the driver is in and out of the site, including the loading of the raw materials, in this case, wheat and soy, and the trucks are on their way to Vitelia's feed factories or other customers.

Advantages

The advantages of the DSH are very clear to the experienced operator at Vitelia: "There is less product loss, loading is much faster, the risk of dust explosions decreases, and because the DSH has no electronic components, it is very maintenance-friendly. So we can supply our customers even faster, more efficiently, and continuously." Another advantage of the DSH is that, unlike a bellows, it cannot be run over by an open truck because the hopper remains above the truck.

"There is less product loss, loading is much faster. So we can supply our customers even faster, more efficiently, and continuously."

The Result

The operator is satisfied with the longstanding collaboration with Vlint: "Thanks to the DSH, dust reduction is enormous. The DSH truly makes the difference and is indispensable in the field of dust reduction. It's also nice that Ger has guided us very well in the selection process for the DSH and the implementation of this system into our workflow."

Curious about what we can do for you?

At Vlint, we help our customers by first thoroughly analyzing the problem. Then we create an effective action plan and implement it to solve the problem properly. Interested? Please leave your contact information. We will get in touch with you within one working day.

Contact me