Application
Gravimetric Feeding in Chemical Processing
Answer in brief
Chemical powders are fed into reactions where the rate is part of the chemistry.
The same powder can flood after pneumatic refill and bridge an hour later, so the feeder has to handle both states rather than the average.
- Give the powder time to deaerate before the feeder.
- Match materials to the product and the cleaning regime.
- Check accuracy in service, not only at the factory.
Reviewed October 21, 2026 · Updated October 21, 2026
The problem
Aerated powder passes a feeder far faster than its settled volume, while consolidated powder bridges above the screw.
Corrosive products attack the hopper and the discharge device, changing the behavior over time.
Desired outcome
A feeder that holds the set rate across the required turndown, with an inlet condition it can cope with and an installation that does not corrupt the weight signal.
Process approach
A conditioning volume above the feeder lets the powder deaerate, and agitation in the hopper prevents bridging without fluidising the material.
Contact materials are chosen against the full product list, and the feeder is specified for cleaning between products.
Where the reaction depends on the ratio, feed rates are verified against consumption rather than trusted from the display.
- Deaeration volume between the refill point and the feeder.
- Agitation that moves the powder without aerating it.
- Independent verification of the delivered quantity.
Selection factors
- Aeration state of the powder at the feeder inlet.
- Bridging behavior after standstill.
- Corrosion resistance required.
- Accuracy needed by the reaction and how it is verified.
- Containment and exposure limits.
Common failure modes
- Flooding after a pneumatic refill
- Bridging above the screw after a weekend standstill
- Corroded hopper changing the flow behavior
- Rate trusted from the display without reconciliation
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