Neuero’s FLEXIPORT – A DIFFERENT PNEUMATIC UNLOADING SYSTEM

The Flexiport combines the traditional pneumatic ship unloader with a special feeder to work with non-free flowing materials with minimal need of pay-loaders in the ship also at cleanup operation. The reason is simple because the material is picked up with air from the bottom. This makes the advantage of this system. Different from other systems, the feeder does not need to force the material inside it must only loosen the material.

The disadvantage of this system compared to traditional pneumatic unloaders is the cost. With a normal pneumatic unloader the pipe hangs on a flexible joint.  With a Flexiport the forces created to loosen the material must be absorbed by the structure. The result is a vertical truss system and reinforcement throughout the structure.  A simple system adapted from pneumatic unloaders can help to make bigger holes in the material but cannot increase the efficiency much.

The Flexiport was primary designed in the 70’s to bring a solution for meal discharging at feed mills. The capacity was low and normally a fixed unloader design.

In 2002 with biomass use introduced at power plants for co-burning with coal, Neuero supplied a machine for Essent energy at Gertruidenberg in The Netherlands. This machine was designed to unload every biomass listed from wood pellets to wood chips, wood pieces from demolition, palm pit kernel and even ONF (organic natural fraction) which in essence is dust, light material with a free density lower than 0,2t/m3. Low noise levels was required because of a nature park at the other side of the Amer River.  The goal of one ship per shift of 8 hours was achieved. Tests show an average of 70% during the entire ship unloading operation. Later the installation was upgraded from 600 to 800m3/h.

In 2013 the company Marine Harvest / Graintec had the need to use the Flexiport to unload Fishmeal and variety of meals In Norway, Bergen. The good result of the Flexiport reflected in an order for a second unloader for a similar installation to be delivered in Scotland by mid-2018.

Stiving to meet and exceed client expactations, new developments for higher capacities are planned.

.