A bulk material handler looks to achieve the challenging balance among new-asset investment expenses, operating and maintenance costs, and risk mitigation. To prioritize asset allocation, more companies are implementing capital-investment and budget-allocation strategies. In pursuing both a competitive edge and a greater margin, sound strategies must likewise be applied to all areas of a plant.…

Many bulk material handlers think of combustible dust as a housekeeping item. Once enough of it gathers in one place, they’ll assign personnel to clean it up. What they might often overlook are the combustible dust hazards. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defines combustible dusts as “fine particles that present an explosion hazard…

Join us March 19–22, 2018, at the Gaylord Opryland Convention in Nashville, Tennessee, for electric power’s premier gathering of specialists and technologies. ELECTRIC POWER Conference + Exhibition draws industry experts from throughout the U.S. to discuss the profession’s latest challenges and opportunities as well as influential new products and services. Benetech is proud to be…

Chemicals have been used for decades as fugitive dust control measures applying a range of processes and materials. The chemicals wet the dust-prone material to induce the adherence and agglomeration of the dust to the bulk of the material. This significantly reduces the dust that can become airborne (emissions). Chemical dust control methods fall into…

Benetech began in 1983 with the aim to reduce combustible dust and improve bulk material handling systems. In 2018, we mark 35 years of growth and innovation in designing world-class products, services and technologies for stronger operations. When we started, our focus was dust suppression. As our industry awareness and expertise increased, so did our…

As a bulk material handler, you know that just because a conveyor system seems to be functioning well, complications can still be forming within it. If the system is not inspected and maintained correctly, what begins as a small problem can turn into a major one that forces a shutdown and creates lost production and,…

As a bulk material handler, you’re familiar with build-up and pluggage issues that can slow or block material flow: Clinging – material deposits that impede flow in hoppers and can contaminate other materials if the clinging material breaks off Bridging – blockage at the outlet of the storage hopper or transfer chute, particularly when working…

Airborne dust creates a number of hazards for bulk material handlers. Under certain conditions, combustible dust can ignite and explode. Fugitive dust also can endanger personal health as inhalable dust (larger, heavier particles) or respirable dust (smaller, finer particles). Yet another peril posed by fugitive dust is possible accidents and injuries. Excessive dust build-up at…

We’ve discussed the perils of airborne dust if it is combustible and caught in conditions that can cause an explosion. Fugitive dust can likewise pose a safety hazard if employees are breathing it because of deficient dust control. Fugitive dust that creates a health risk is categorized as either inhalable dust or respirable dust. Inhalable…

Airborne dusts that escape during bulk material flow can become a major safety hazard, particularly if they are combustible. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defines combustible dusts as “fine particles that present an explosion hazard when suspended in air in certain conditions.” They can result in employee death or injury and destroy entire…