Ivan Semenenko Limited (ISL) is an ISO9001 registered firm for the provision of bulk material, powder handling, and process control solutions, and is synonymous with cone-valve technology, which is in extensive use worldwide in the chemical, pigment and toner industries.

ISL cone-valve technology provides clean, trouble free, total discharge of powder and particulate bulk solids from Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs), Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers (FIBCs), hoppers, sacks and silos, enabling accurate dosing control to process or packing.

ISL CHEMICAL CONE-VALVE TECHNOLOGY

The use of a cone-valve to generate and control the flow of powders and particulates was first established by Ivan Semenenko with the patenting of his concept in 1979. The original system – with minor design changes – is still in use worldwide, but becoming sidelined due to design complexity and a difficulty in meeting hygiene standards.

Since the setting up of ISL in 1998, a series of simpler cone-valve actuators has been developed, culminating in the patented 'rolling seal' actuator, which has a design simplicity and efficiency comparing most favourably with the operation of pre-ISL cone valves.

CHEMICAL POWDER HANDLING, PROCESS CONTROL, AND POWDER AND PARTICULATE FLOW-CONTROL

The 'rolling seal' actuator, together with a transducer, provides high-accuracy, gravimetric powder handling, process control, and powder and particulate flow-control, and also allows – if required – an accurate weighing capability of stored products into further process or final packing. The key attributes of the 'rolling seal' discharge station are:

• Fast response actuation, allowing fine control of product flow
• No flow restriction
• Hygienic design, manufactured from a handful of components
• Ease of maintenance and cleaning
• Two to three-minute remove and replace for seal and covers
• Two-year guarantee on the life of the rolling seal

CHEMICAL INDUSTRY INTERMEDIATE BULK CONTAINERS (IBCS)

The use of IBCs is a key production component in chemical manufacturing, and the specification range offered by ISL reflects that importance. Using ISL cone-valve technology, IBCs are available in stainless steel, plastic, and carbon steel, in capacities from 0.25m³ to 3m³.

HIGH CONTAINMENT CHEMICAL INDUSTRY IBCS

All processing sectors are challenging their equipment suppliers to reduce Operator Exposure Levels (OELs). ISL has supplied specific equipment for zero omissions, and its standard range of valves and discharge stations are designed to better current chemical and pigment industry OEL guidelines.

CHEMICAL INDUSTRY BIG BAG DISCHARGE EQUIPMENT

ISL has now taken cone-valve technology beyond the IBC with yet another unique development in bulk bag discharge and dosing systems: their 'big bag bin.'

This enables the FIBCs (bulk bag) to be used directly in process with dust containment, batch and continuous weighing direct from the FIBC, and also has the unique ability to take a partly-empty bulk bag off process without untying or retying of the outlet, or fitting of additional components to the outlet sock, thus maintaining product containment.

CHEMICAL INDUSTRY SILO VALVES

There are two types of silo valves: the dosing valve and the bridge breaker. The bridge breaker is usually used with the dosing valve in tandem; the dosing valve at the silo outlet and the bridge breaker is fixed with its cross frame some distance above inside the silo hopper.

The bridge breaker provides head load protection to the dosing valve, which in turn controls the discharge and accurate dosing to process. The bridge breaker can have an optional internal vibrator for more cohesive products.

A major benefit of the ISL silo valve system is that the dosing valve can be dismantled from below, leaving the cone-valve assembly in place even with a full silo.

CHEMICAL INDUSTRY CONE-VALVE SYSTEM ENHANCEMENTS

ISL also supplies enhancements for other cone-valve systems.

ISL cone-valve technology is the key to cost effective, dust free, flexible bulk-material systems, from raw material intake to intermediate and final processing.