Material Handling Terms

Courtesy of Carman Industries
Absolute Temperature
The temperature at which nothing could be colder and no heat energy remains in a substance. By international agreement, absolute zero = 0°K on the Kelvin Scale and 0°R on the Rankin Scale. 0°K = -273°C and 0°R = -460°F
ACFM
Actual Cubic Feet per Minute of gas volume at the specified temperature, pressure, moisture, elevation, and gas composition.
Adapter Ring (Bolted or Welded)
Assembly from which a Bin Discharger is suspended from a storage bin.
Adsorption
The adhesion of a substance to the surface of a solid or liquid.
Aeration
The interspersing of air or other gases with powders or particulate material causing a reduction in density and a consequent increase in flowability.
Aerosol
A particle of solid or liquid matter that can remain suspended in air because of its small size. Particulates under 1 micron in diameter are generally called aerosols.
Airlock (aka Rotary Feeder)
A term usually applied to a rotary vane valve which prevents air or gas from entering or exiting a dust collector or other device where a pressure differential exists, yet allows product to transfer continuously. Sometimes called a rotary feeder when used to control flow rate.
Angle of Slide (aka Angle of Repose)
This is the minimum angle measured from the horizontal on which a solid, powder, or granular material will slide on a flat surface. Product characteristics, as well as smoothness of the surface on which it attempts to slide, effects the angle of the slide.
Atmospheric Pressure
One atmosphere is approximately 14.7 PSI or 29.92" Hg.
Attenuation
Absorption of sound pressure. Attenuation reduces only the amplitude of a sound wave while leaving the frequency unchanged.
Attrition
Wearing or grinding down by friction.
Auger
A helical or closed flight screw-like device used to move or control material flow.Baghouse Collector - A dust collection device using fabric filter media to separate particulate from a gas stream.
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Barometric Pressure
A measurement of the pressure of the atmosphere. Standard is 29.92" Hg.
Batch Drying
A method of drying in which material is processed one batch at a time. This is in contrast to continuous drying.
Bent Lip
A crimp made on both the top band and the adapter ring of a Bin Discharger to serve as a retainer to minimize slippage of the drawband assembly. The bent lip may be replaced by a wire bead ring.
Boiler Horsepower
The capability to evaporate 34.5 pounds of water per hour into dry steam at 212°F (approximately 33,500 BTU/hr).
Bolted Adapter Ring
Bolted Adapter Ring
Bound or Internal Moisture
This is moisture located inside a particle. It must first migrate to the particle surface before it can be evaporated. Since removal of this moisture is not efficient, its removal requires extra time and heat.
Bridging (Arching)
The no-flow condition that occurs when the product forms a stable, self-supporting "bridge" in the bin over the outlet.
BTU (British Thermal Unit)
The heat required to raise the temperature of 1 pound of water by 1°F. The BTU/hr. required to raise the temperature of a specific weight of product at a specific number of degrees is calculated by the formula: Btu/hr = mCprT
Bulk Density
A weight-to-volume ratio. Bulk density is usually expressed in terms of pounds of material per cubic foot (PCF), kilograms per cubic meter, grams per liter, or grams per cubic centimeter.
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Calciner
A high temperature process unit in which material is heated in a reducing environment to remove oxygen or other carbonaceous materials. The process is commonly used to reduce limestone (CaCO2 ) to lime (CaO2) or the reduction of other ores such as copper or cobalt.
Capacity
The volumetric or gravimetric flow rate from (or to) a piece of material handling or process equipment.
Capture Velocity
The air velocity at any point around a hood a hood or at a hood opening necessary to contain and capture airborne dust.
Conveying Velocity
The gas velocity that is necessary to keep dust airborne. Velocities of 3500 to 4500 ft/min in duct work are typical but actual requirement is dependent on the physical properties of the dust.
Celsius
A thermometric scale in which water boils at 100° C and freezes at 0° C as centigrade: °C = 5/9 x [°F -32° ]
CFM
Cubic Feet per Minute.
Closed Loop Drying
A drying process in which a portion or all of the drying gas, most often nitrogen or another inert gas, is re-circulated rather than exhausted. This minimizes gas emissions, recovers solvents from gas, reduces explosion and fire risks, and increases thermal efficiency.
Cohesive
Any material that exhibits the characteristic of molecular attraction in which the particles are united throughout the mass.
Conduction
The transfer of heat by physical contact between surfaces.
Constant Rate Drying
A mode of drying involving removal of surface moisture. The evaporation rate during constant rate drying is limited only by the rate of heat transfer from the process gas. The product temperature remains constant because the heat added by the process gas is equal to the heat removed by evaporating moisture.
Convection
The transfer of heat through a liquid or gas by the actual movement of molecules.
Counter Flow
This refers to two materials with different temperatures flowing in opposite directions. Larger temperature differences increase heat transfer rates.
Cycle Time
The total elapsed time between identical points in two successive and identical process operations.
Cyclone Collector
A dust collector that separates particulate from air by the centrifugal force generated by spiraling gas.Damper - A device used to control air or gas flow by adjusting the pressure drop.
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dbA
Sound-pressure level measured. See chart for typical values.
Decibel
The logarithmic ratio between a known reference and a quantity of electrical or acoustic signal power.
Delta P (rP)
Change in pressure, or pressure drop that occurs across an air moving system.
Desiccant
A drying agent consisting of a chemical substance that absorbs moisture.
Dew Point
For air containing water vapor, it is the temperature at which liquid water begins to condense for a given state of humidity and pressure as the temperature is reduced.
DFT
Dry-film thickness usually expressed in thousandths of an inch.
Drawband Assembly
Drawbands are used to secure the flexible connector to the adapter ring and to the bin discharger's top band. Carman uses double drawbands (two at the top and two at the bottom) on all inlet socking arrangements.
Dribble Rate
The reduction of the rate of material flow near batch completion to avoid overshooting of desired batch weight or volume.
Drive
Mechanism used to develop and maintain stroke and frequency on vibrating machinery. Drive selection is a function of the application and environment in which equipment operates.
Drive Spring
Fiber glass or steel coil springs used to support the trough and produce the K-rate necessary to vibrate at or near its natural frequency. Spring/Model selection is a function of the application and the environment in which the conveyor will operate.
Dry Bulb Temperature
The actual temperature of a gas taken with a conventional thermometer.
Dust Collector
An air-cleaning device used to remove particulate loadings from exhaust systems.
Dust Collection Efficiency
The ability of a dust collector to remove particulate from the exhaust gas. The ratio of particles entering the collection device vs. particles leaving is expressed in percent.(Inlet loading - outlet loading) x 100% Inlet loading
Dynamic Counterbalance
A system operating 180< out of phase with the conveyor trough (weighing exactly the same and with an identical drive spring system) used to reduce dynamic force transmission.
Dynamic Reaction
The force transmitted by vibrating equipment into its supporting structure or foundation.Evaporative Cooling - When surface moisture is present, evaporative cooling occurs in a convection drying or cooling application. Cooling occurs as heat is transferred from the particle to the moisture as it evaporates.
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Evase
A diffuser at the fan outlet which gradually increases the area to decrease velocity and to convert kinetic energy to static pressure.
Excess Air
Air in excess of the amount necessary to combust all the available fuel.
Exhaust Volume
The amount of exhaust gas (air, products of combustion, and water vapor) leaving the exhaust stack usually measured in ACFM.
Expanded Flow (See "Funnel Flow")
When a Bin Discharger is installed on a bin experiencing funnel flow, the flow pattern expands to the Bin Discharger's inlet diameter.
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Fahrenheit
A thermometric scale in which water boils at 212° F and freezes at 32 °F °F = ( 9/5 x °C ) + 32°
Falling Rate Drying
The mode of drying that involves difficult to remove internal moisture. Drying rate is generally less than Constant Rate Drying because moisture must first migrate from the particle interior to its surface. This requires more temperature and residence time and is therefore less efficient
Fan Capacity
Performance requirement for a fan to meet specific system requirements in terms of ACFM and pressure drop at the fan inlet.
Fan Class
Operating limits at which a fan must be physically capable of operating safely.
Fan Laws
Theoretical relationships between CFM, RPM, SP, and HP.
Feeder
Any of a class of equipment whose purpose is to control the flow rate of material either by weight or volume.
Feed Rate
The actual amount of material discharged per unit of time.(i.e. lbs./hr. or PPH, tons/hr. Or TPH).
Flexible Connection
Pliable unions that join non-vibratory to vibrating equipment such as charge and discharge chutes, duct work, etc., to contain product or air and prevent the transmission of vibration and stresses.
Flooding
The condition in which a dry solid has become sufficiently aerated to behave like a fluid. This can create problems like uncontrolled flow through an outlet or feeder.
Fluid Bed Air Classification
A process whereby particles are separated into two groups by entraining smaller particles in an exhaust airstream and retaining larger particles in the fluidized bed.
Fluidized Bed
A condition whereby bulk solid materials are partially or totally suspended in an upward moving gas stream. The suspended particle bed often takes on properties of a fluid as the bed seeks its own level and takes the shape of the container. Particle movement is very active; heavy particles sink and light particles float.
Force Vector Drive
An inertial type of CARMAN drive which includes either vibrating shaker motors or rotating eccentric weight assemblies.
An inertial type of CARMAN drive which includes either vibrating shaker motors or rotating eccentric weight assemblies.
A burner which has its combustion air supplied under pressure normally with a low pressure fan.
Free Flowing
A material condition characterized by relatively unaided flow without flooding, arching, ratholing, or the need of external flow aid devices.
Frequency
The number of cyclic occurrences in a given period. Usually expressed in cycles per second (CPS), cycles per minute (CPM) or revolutions per minute (RPM).
Friable
A material that is easily crumbled or pulverized.
Funnel Flow
The typical flow pattern that exists when a static hopper is not sufficiently steep or smooth enough for the material to slide on the hopper. Instead, flow is restricted to the channel of product located directly over the outlet. The effect of a bin discharger is two-fold. The outlet diameter increases to the bin discharger inlet diameter and vibrations cause layers to slough off the top of the stagnant mass.
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Gas Purging
The slight pressurization of process or storage equipment with inert gas to avoid condensation, evaporation, explosion hazards, etc.
Gauge (gage)
Metal manufacturers' standard measure of thickness for sheet stock: See chart. Thickness Weight of Steel Gauge (Inches) (Lbs./Ft.2 ) 7 .1793 7.50 10 .1345 5.625 12 .1046 4.375 14 .0747 3.125 16 .0598 2.50
Gauge Pressure
The pressure differential between atmospheric and that measured at the conditions of the system.
Grain
A dust weight unit commonly used in pollution control. 7000 grains = 1 pound.
Grain Loading
A measurement of particles in an air stream in grains per cubic feet of air or gas handled.
Gravimetric Feeding
Controlling material flow on the basis of weight not volume.
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Headload
The force or pressure that is exerted by the weight of material in the bin above the hopper opening or bin discharger.
Heat Load
This is the amount of heat required to accomplish the process requirement. We usually express heat load in terms of BTU/pound of product or BTU/lb of water removed.
Hertz
Normally refers to the frequency of electrical voltage measured in cycles per second (CPS).
Hg
The symbol for mercury often used in the measurement of pressure: (1" Hg = 13.6" WG).
Horsepower
A measurement of work performed over a period of time. The exact definition of 1 HP is 33,000 ft - lbs. per minute, i.e., 33,000# is lifted one foot in one minute.
Humidity, Relative
The ratio of the actual water vapor pressure in a given volume of air to the saturated vapor pressure, i.e., the ratio of the amount of water in a given sample of air compared to the amount it can hold when 100% saturated.
Hygroscopic
A material that readily absorbs and retains moisture. Inches of Water (aka Inches WG) - A unit of pressure equal to the pressure exerted by a column of water one inch high. At standard temperature, 1 PSI = 27.7 Inches of Water (WG).
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Internal Shear Angle
This is the angle on which the product will shear and slide on itself. In a static funnel flow bin, the ability for all the material to empty from the tank is a function of the material's internal shear angle.
Isolation System
Spring (steel coil, air, or rubber) on which vibrating equipment is mounted to minimize force transmission to the support structure or foundation.
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L-10 Bearing Life
The theoretical number of hours after which 90% of the bearings subjected to a given set of conditions will still be operational.
Load Cell
Any device which transduces applied force to some other physical or electronic form (pressure, voltage, etc.)
Lower Cone
The lower or accelerating section of a bin discharger. The lower cone also acts as a surge hopper during cycling and prevents bridging by increasing velocity toward the outlet
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Manometer
A liquid filled u-shaped device for measuring the static air pressure at a point in the air system relative to another point. The pressure difference causes water to rise and fall. The difference in the level of liquid columns, usually water, columns is equivalent to the pressure differential.
Mass Gravitational (aka Weight)
A measure of the strength of an object's interaction with the gravitational field.
Mass-Inertials
A measure of an object's resistance to changing its state of motion when a force is applied.
Mass Flow
The flow pattern where all of the product in the Bin is in motion whenever any product is being withdrawn. This results in a first-in, first-out flow pattern.
Mat Area
Cross-sectional area of product being conveyed. Normally expressed in square inches. Mat Area (in2 ) = (TPH x 4800) = (PPH x 2.4)(PCF x FPM ) (PCF x FPM)
Micron
A unit of length equal to one millionth of a meter. In general, particles down to 10 microns can be seen without the aid of magnification.
MIL
A unit of measure equal to 25 microns or one thousandth of an inch. It's normally used to measure the thickness of paint or other surface coatings.
Motor Frame Size
A set of physical dimensions of motors as established by National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) for standardization between manufacturers. Dimensions include shaft size, shaft location and motor mounting configuration.
MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet)
Compilation of data and information on a material produced by the manufacturers and importers of that material, as required by OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard, 29 CFR 1910. 1200.
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Natural Frequency Drive
This is the mechanism that vibrates the trough of a natural frequency feeder or conveyor.
NOX (Nitrogen Oxides)
Chemical compounds containing nitrogen and oxygen. It is also a major contributor to acid rain.
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Parallel Flow
Refers to two materials with different temperatures flowing in the same direction within a device. Smaller temperature differences decrease heat transfer rates.
Pitch
The distance from any point on the flight of an auger, metering screw or spiral elevator to the corresponding point on an adjacent flight measured parallel to the axis.
Pressure Cone
The inverted upper internal cone of a Bin Discharger that transmits force into the stored product and relieves pressure at the product outlet.
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Ratholing
The no-flow condition which occurs when only a vertical channel of product above the outlet has discharged.
Reactive Counterbalance
A system relying on the weight ratio between the conveying trough of a vibrating conveyor and its structural base for reducing dynamic force transmission.
Relative Humidity
The ratio of existing water vapor compared to that of air saturated with water.
Rubber Bushed Hanger Arms
Arms that safely suspend a Bin Discharger and serve as the isolation between the adapter ring which is attached to the tank and the bin discharger which vibrates. Rubber bushings in each end of the hanger arms allow movement of the Bin Discharger while minimizing vibration transmission to the tank.
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Segregation-Particle
The redistribution of particles during handling. A difference in particle size, large particles (+35 Mesh), free flowing products and particle motion are the common causes of segregation. A common example involves storage tanks. During filling, large, coarse particles tend to roll to the outside while fine particles remain in the center.
Specific Gravity
The ratio of the solid weight of a given volume of any substance compared to that of an equal volume of water.
Specific Heat
The quantity of heat required to raise a pound of a specific product one degree Fahrenheit.
Stabilizer
Flat spring or hinged arm used to maintain the stroke and direction of a vibrating feeder or conveyor.
Stroke/Frequency/Attack Angle
Conveyor operating conditions describing the movement of a vibrating trough.
Surge Hopper
Storage device of adequate volume to receive product at a higher rate than being discharged without overflowing.
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Tachometer
An instrument that measures the speed of rotation, usually in RPM.
Tensile Strength
The maximum stress (in pounds per square inch) a material can withstand before it breaks.
Top Band
The upper cylindrical portion of a Bin Discharger to which the flexible connector, hanger arms, and drive are attached.
Trough
The pan of a vibrating conveyor, normally of steel fabrication, designed to convey product and act as the structural member to which the spring system and drive are welded or attached.
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Unbalanced Conveyor
Standard vibrating conveyor designed to be supported on a solid foundation.
Upper Cone
The upper 30° section of a 30°/60° Bin Discharger.
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Viscosity
The characteristic of all fluids to resist flow.
Velocity Pressure (VP)
The kinetic energy pressure of air in motion.
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Water Gauge (WG)
A pressure term defined as a pressure equal to that exerted by a column of water of the same height. 27.7" WG equals 1 PSI.
Watt
A unit of power. In electrical terms, the power produced by a current of one ampere across a potential difference of one volt.
Welded Adapter Ring
This is normally a 4" x 4" x 1/4" rolled or fabricated angle ring that welds to the bottom of the storage bin hopper. With this arrangement, a mating flange is not required, however, bearing plate and gusset reinforcing is required above each hanger arm.
Wet-Bulb Temperature
The temperature of a gas stream taken with a thermometer wrapped in wetted muslin. It's used to determine atmospheric humidity when compared to dry bulb temperature.
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