Mass Flow Screw Feeders Meter Palladium Catalyst and Dust for Stillwater Mining

General Description

Stillwater Mining extracts, processes, and markets palladium, platinum, and associated metals. The metals are mined from a geological formation and also recovered from recycling of catalytic converters. Mined metals and recycled materials are smelted and purified to make a filter cake material.

More than 50-percent of the supply of palladium is used in the auto industry for catalytic converters. It is also used in water treatment, electronics, jewelry, and dental fillings. Palladium can be rolled into sheets, which are then used in fuel cells and solar energy. The platinum group of metals are palladium, platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, and iridium. Palladium is 30 times rarer than gold.

A new process required the use of mass-flow screw feeders under recycling bins. KWS provided the engineering, expertise, and equipment to solve the problem.

Design Parameters

1. Product Type: Palladium Catalyst and Baghouse Dust
2. Material Density: 61 Lbs. per Cubic Foot
3. Capacity: 98 to 262 Cubic Feet per Hour
4. Duty: 24 Hours per Day, 7 Days per Week

KWS Advantages

Stillwater Mining and KWS have worked together to solve many bulk material handling and processing problems. Engineers from Stillwater and KWS exchanged 3D models to make sure that the new equipment would fit in the allocated space and match up with existing equipment.

KWS Special Features

KWS Mass Flow Screw Feeders were chosen to efficiently meter bulk materials from a large bin. Mass flow describes a material flow pattern in which all material in a bin is drawn down at the same rate, regardless of if the material is against the sidewall or in the center. KWS Mass Flow Screw Feeders utilize a cone on the center pipe of the screw to create a tapered inside diameter. The tapered ID provides a higher volumetric rate than the preceding pitch and accurately meters the bulk material from the bin above.

KWS Mass Flow Screw Feeders typically operate below 20-rpm and generate very high drive torque when compared to other types of feeders and conveyors. High drive torque ensures that KWS Mass Flow Screw Feeders start up under the head load of material in the bin and operate continuously.

Bulkhead Trough Ends are a unique KWS design that provide complete rigidity and ensure no drive movement. Purgeable Cinch seals were used to prevent bulk material leakage. The bulkhead design moves the drive away from the trough end and potential contamination.

Standard trough ends are located on the tail end with flanged mounted bearings and purgeable Cinch seals. The seals, drive units, and bearings can be easily accessed for maintenance. Inductive speed sensors are located on the tail end of each screw feeder to monitor speed and detect any potential failures.