Mass flow and wear solutions for industry... (by MDL)

Has a sledge hammer been your solution to flow issues?

MENTOR DYNAMICS has spent over 30-years developing an understanding of the flow and wear characteristics of bulk materials and an appreciation that not all applications are the same. Generic attempts to improve flow and/or improve wear can sometimes just frustrate you, the customer. MENTOR is not interested in chasing the effect of bulk material flow issues by adding air cannons, air lances, and mechanical vibrators, creating more upkeep for your already overworked staff, with limited benefits. MENTOR DYNAMICS designs the proper solution to reduce the wall friction, allowing the opportunity for mass flow, while reducing the effect of corrosion, all without additional maintenance functions.

MENTOR DYNAMICS

produces results

The real benefit of MENTOR DYNAMICS knowledge is that we will solve your bulk material flow issues. We specialize in understanding the action of a bulk material particle, flow and wear characteristics of hoppers,chutes, bins and silos, and design components or a liner that will provide the most positive result based on this knowledge. Many times the proper solution in a particular hopper or chute can involve several different materials. Our experience includes the joining of these different liner materials, which is also critical to a positive result. In most applications flow of the bulk material is only part of the issue, wear and reduced maintenance costs are also issues. MENTOR evaluates the whole picture and then recommends a solution.

Links to industry specific information
(or use our "Site Map" in the links section at the top of the page)
Coal-Fired Power Plants	Resource Energy Plants
Cement Plants	Clay Plants
Gypsum Plants	Aggregate Plants
Mining	Casting Plants
Railcar Lining
A solution that is not industry specific
Do-it-Yourself Hopper Lining Kit

How does MENTOR DYNAMICS provide the complete solution to bulk solids flow issues?

Problem:

Poor flow (sticking, bridging and ratholing) or excessive wear when handling and storing bulk materials

Answer:

A solution designed for your specific need by MENTOR DYNAMICS

With MENTOR DYNAMICS you have:

Project Analysis

The MENTOR team will study your specific application through drawings, site visits, and personal consultation with you and your staff. After understanding you unique needs, we will recommend the appropriate materials, design and installation method.

Design Services

Engineering drawings tailored to your equipment and plant can be part of the MENTOR Solution. Our liners and components can be created from stock resources or fabricated to your specific needs.

Excellent Family of Materials and Fabricators

MENTOR's engineered materials are known throughout the bulk handling industry for their strength, durability, low coefficient of friction, abrasion resistance, zero water absorption and corrosion resistance. The fabrication team at MENTOR DYNAMICS is unsurpassed when it comes to quality. Using TQM techniques our fabricators are not finished until the project meets the standards our clients expect.

Installation Services

MENTOR DYNAMICS offers either on-site supervision or full "turn-key" installation services. "Do-it-Yourself" installation instructions include drawings, calculations and commentary designed to make your installation go smoothly.

Follow-through

Innovative solutions demand continuing commitment to insure optimum performance. MENTOR representatives will continue to monitor your project to be sure that it meets your expectations.

How Linings Help Solve Material Flow Problems
Freezing Dyna-Flo polymer liners release frozen materials better than metal, without using release agents. In fact, the lower the temperature the better its performance - even as low as -273°C.	Impact Strength The energy absorbing qualities of high performance polymer liners are unsurpassed by any other thermoplastic and at low temperatures the impact resistance actually improves.	Chemical Resistance Unaffected in virtually any chemical environment, high performance polymer is particulary suitable for food processing industry because it is inert to fungus. Only strong oxidizing acids will attack the surface.
Non-Stick Surface The co-efficient of friction of a high performance polymer is approximately one-fifth that of steel. It is almost friction-free and is anti-adhesive.	Abrasion Resistance High performance polymer has the highest abrasion resistance of any commercially available plastic. It will outwear steel in most applications and AR plate in some instances.	Noise Abatement The sound deadening effects of high performance polymer is approximately 20% greater than those of alternative materials used in the construction of bulk handling equipment.

NOTE: There are many grades of high performance polymer available, each with its own individual properties, we have not attempted to list them here. When you discuss your bulk flow problems with us, we will recommend the appropriate grade.

Industrial Case History

Efficient plant operation, product quality and low production cost all require a reliable flow of material . . . at the desired rate . . . on demand. If flow is disrupted due to material freezing, sticking or caking in the hoppers, chutes, trucks, buckets or conveyors, then productivity will decline or production will be halted completely. Efforts to re-establish material flow can range from stationing men with hammers at critical areas, to the installation of air cannons or vibrators, which sometimes compact the material and compound the problem. All of these methods increase operating costs, and go on costing money, as long as reliable material flow is required.

The installation of a durable, low friction polymer liner is a better alternative. The initial cost is comparable to conventional steel, much less expensive than stainless steel but after installation of a polymer liner by MENTOR DYNAMICS, the costs stop and dependable material flow occurs.

Power Plant Case History - Improving Electrical Supply

A major electric power Company in Indiana was experiencing an average of 200 fuel supply disruptions per year due to material blockages in its coal silos. The coal stuck to the side of the silos, causing uneven flow and at times disrupting flow altogether. As a result, the unit was performing at only 75% of its designed electrical capacity. Alternative flow improvement methods such as mechanical flow promoters, air cannons, and manual efforts proved to be ineffective. After the installation of MENTOR liners, blockages were essentially eliminated, and production increased to maximum operating levels.