SubscribeInditherm plc, the UK specialist heating company, manufactures a range of Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) heated jackets.
The jackets, which can be tailor made to fit any shape of IBC, use Inditherm's patented carbon polymer technology (CPT) to provide the heating. Unlike other forms of heating, there are no hot or cold spots.
The jackets consist of Inditherm's CPT polymer mounted onto insulation and encapsulated in a sewn, splash-proof cover. The lid is insulated and can either be an integral part of the cover or removable, allowing easier access to the contents. The jacket is removed by simply undoing the clips and Velcro.
The system is powered by a 24V transformer and is temperature controlled, so will not damage the product.
A typical heated cover is shown below.
Figure 1 IBC Jacket Heater
Up to 10 Times Faster Flow, with Better Yields
In tests, Inditherm found a dramatic increase in flow rate from a standard IBC when the contents were heated. In addition to enabling users to discharge the contents in a more controlled manner, heating has the added benefit of increasing yield nearly all of the contents can be discharged, rather than leaving behind 5% to 20% stuck to the walls of the IBC and sent back to the supplier.
The reduction in viscosity with temperature is significant. The effect of this on flow rate was demonstrated by measuring the decant times of 5kg of syrup at different temperatures. As can be seen from the chart below, by heating a typical golden syrup from 20°C to 40°C there was a 10-fold improvement in flow rate.
IBC Decant Time for 5kg Golden Syrup
Figure 2 - Decant Times for Golden Syrup from a Heated IBC
The heating time depends upon the ambient temperature and the materials inside the IBC. However, based upon in-house tests, Inditherm has obtained the following results from a typical heated IBC containing golden syrup.
Heated IBC with Golden Syrup
Figure 3 - Typical Heating Profile for Golden Syrup
The temperature shown is measured at the centre of the IBC and in an ambient temperature of around 20C, it took approximately 43 hours and consumed a total of only 28 kWh (i.e., costing around €1.50) to heat the full IBC from 20C to 40C. The temperatures at the periphery of the IBC were not much higher than at the centre, due to the convection of the syrup around the container.
The Benefits
Using an Inditherm heated jacket for your IBC has numerous benefits:
- Can be custom designed to fit any shape of IBC.
- Pre-warm materials during cold weather.
- Achieve flow rates up to 10 times faster.
- Minimal energy costs.
- Decrease production hold-ups and maintain production schedules.
- Improve yield and reduce costs by removing 100% of the product.