Summary:
What Is Eco Hopper Really All about?
What is the function of eco hopper?
Application scope of environmental protection hopper
How to maintain ECO hopper?
An Eco Hopper is an essential when shipping and handling dry bulk cargo. Although simple looking on the outside, the internal mechanisms can help contain the cargo, helping to control dust, reduce pollution and maximize the amount of cargo transferred.
What is the function of eco hopper?
The hopper works by allowing the cargo to flow easily into the hopper, while preventing any dust or particles from it to escape. By reducing the amount of cargo lost to winds, it can minimize pollution while also ensuring that as much as possible is transferred to the next stage of shipping.
The hopper works by using a relatively simple mechanism and physics. The upper part of the hopper features a shroud that helps guide the cargo and protect from crosswinds. The inside of the hopper contains a series of flaps. These allow the material loaded to drop though into the body of the hopper. Once inside the hopper, the marginal increase in air pressure (because the cargo takes up previously empty space) helps push the flaps closed.
Using this simple mechanism means that even a basic eco hopper can work effectively in capturing as much cargo as possible. However, it becomes really useful in situations where it can also work as an environmental protection hopper.
An example is the shipping of sulfur. When transported in bulk, it presents a risk from the finer particles lost during transfer, or even just being blown out of the hopper. Once in the environment, it presents a danger to humans and local wildlife, and the potential of entering the food chain.
The dust-controlled hopper can also have additional features which can further enhance its effectiveness. Filters and seals, for example, can work with the flaps to further reduce the escape of dust. While some models will include air compressors that further increase the air pressure differential, strengthening the natural seal of the flaps.
Once a cargo is in the hopper, it can be used in much the same way as any other hopper. Because the design features of an eco hopper are integrated, it means they can be as versatile as any other hopper used on a quayside or elsewhere.
Application scope of environmental protection hopper
The hoppers offer an incredibly wide variety of usages, and different models exist for almost every scenario. Many are wheeled, making them suitable for quays that handle different cargos, or have multiple docking points, since the hopper can be easily moved to the correct position, or even taken off-site when not needed. Those quays that consistently require a dust-controlled hopper can, equally, them on rails or even in fixed positions, ensuring they are always available.
The environmental protection hopper can also work with any form or onward transport. With a variety of chute designs, they can be used to load trucks, or to feed conveyors. They also have a high flow rate. With the largest hoppers feeding up to 5,000 tons per hour, it is likely that in many situations the capacity of the grab crane or trucks, rather than the eco hopper, is likely to be the factor that limits unloading speed.
The hoppers can handle almost any dry bulk cargo, like iron ore, wood chips, gypsum, concentrates, and coal. In essence, they can work in any situation that requires a dust-controlled hopper or environmental protection hopper.
And where there is a particular need to reduce dust pollution, hoppers can have additional features, including intakes that collect fugitive dust near the intake to return it to the cargo stream.
Naturally, in a hazardous environment like a quayside, they also come with a range of safety features. As well as being well-constructed, these can include anchoring systems to secure the unit during severe weather, alarms and monitoring systems, and various sensors to ensure it is operating correctly. And, of course, it features the necessary lighting and alert sounds to ensure those working around it are aware it is there and operating.
How to maintain ECO hopper?
One of the key benefits of an eco hopper is that it requires relatively little maintenance: they are incredibly robust. The combination of their design and their build quality means they should have a long life, even with lengthy periods without maintenance.
Like any hopper, they will benefit from the occasional hose down. This, however, is perhaps more important for a dust-controlled hopper since it runs the risk of dust building up in joins and seals and reducing its effectiveness. And, of course, like any hopper that is used for different materials, it helps prevent cross-contamination.
The environmental protection hopper will also need to be checked to address any wear and tear issues. Some parts will, through ordinary usage, require routine replacement. The shroud, for example, can be susceptible to damage from cargo as it falls through, especially if it’s something that can have sharp edges.
The internal flaps are also likely to suffer from natural wear and tear. These are in near constant contact with moving cargo, which can be abrasive. Over time, this wear can limit the effectiveness of the seal.
And, like any other equipment, a routine check and service, if necessary, will ensure that other features, like the filters or alarm systems remain in working order.
However, because the unit’s functions are largely the result of good design, they have relatively few moving parts and, therefore, exceptional reliability in use, even in demanding environments.
An eco hopper is an essential for any dock- or quayside operation that involves dry cargo. By using a combination of well-designed features, like the shroud and flaps, along with technical solutions like filters and internal sensors, it can serve two purposes. First, as a dust-controlled hopper, it maximizes the amount of cargo that continues on transport. Second, it works as an environmental protection hopper, keeping the surrounding area, and people, safe.
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