In a flow

Beating buildups and blockages

1 Loading of a hopper silo © Martin Engineering
1 Loading of a hopper silo
© Martin Engineering
2 Bulk materials will always need to be held up and stored and so blockages are common © Martin Engineering
2 Bulk materials will always need to be held up and stored and so blockages are common
© Martin Engineering
3 The discharge point generally matches the geometry of the vessel © Martin Engineering
3 The discharge point generally matches the geometry of the vessel
© Martin Engineering
4 Hammering on the outside of a hopper is rarely a long-term solution to materials clogging in hoppers and other containers © Martin Engineering
4 Hammering on the outside of a hopper is rarely a long-term solution to materials clogging in hoppers and other containers
© Martin Engineering
5 One of the main advantages of flow aids is that plant operators gain a level of control over material flow that is not possible any other way © Martin Engineering
5 One of the main advantages of flow aids is that plant operators gain a level of control over material flow that is not possible any other way
© Martin Engineering
6 Rotary vibrators supply energy best suited to keeping fine, dry materials moving © Martin Engineering
6 Rotary vibrators supply energy best suited to keeping fine, dry materials moving
© Martin Engineering
7 Air cannons deliver a controlled burst of compressed air to dislodge material buildup © Martin Engineering
7 Air cannons deliver a controlled burst of compressed air to dislodge material buildup
© Martin Engineering
8 A series of air cannons can be programmed to deliver precisely-timed discharges for maximum benefit © Martin Engineering
8 A series of air cannons can be programmed to deliver precisely-timed discharges for maximum benefit
© Martin Engineering
9 Due to its high moisture content, the bauxite material is sticky and prone to buildup © Martin Engineering
9 Due to its high moisture content, the bauxite material is sticky and prone to buildup
© Martin Engineering
10 Powerful air blasts ensure bauxite material flowing smoothly through the system © Martin Engineering
10 Powerful air blasts ensure bauxite material flowing smoothly through the system
© Martin Engineering

This article explains the importance of understanding material flow in silos and hoppers, and how blockages and buildups can be prevented.

Whatever minerals you’re processing, there are locations throughout every plant where materials need to be held up or stored before being channeled into the next stage of production. And however well-designed they may be, vessels such as silos, hoppers, bins and chutes can be affected by the problems of materials clinging to the inside walls.

Once material starts to stick, the buildup is generally fast and dense, slowing the flow, causing spillages and secondary blockages, and ultimately resulting in unscheduled downtime. Compounding these issues, the temptation to find a quick way to shift a...

Find out more in

AT 01/2026

Find out more in

AT 01/2026

Conveying

Optimizing maintenance intervals with REMACLEAN GBM

Interview

SPG Pumps and the ORCA project at OTTO DÖRNER

Bulk materials

Beating buildups and blockages

Ressort:  TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS
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