Bulk material handling

A boat being loaded at Pier 86 Grain Terminal in Seattle

Bulk material handling is an engineering field that is centred around the design of equipment used for the transportation of materials such as ores and cereals in loose bulk form. It can also relate to the handling of mixed wastes.

Bulk material handling systems are typically composed of moveable items of machinery such as conveyor belts, stackers, reclaimers, bucket elevators, shiploaders, unloaders and various shuttles, hoppers and diverters combined with storage facilities such as stockyards, storage silos or stockpiles.

The purpose of a bulk material handling facility is generally to transport material from one of several locations (i.e. a source) to an ultimate destination. Providing storage and inventory control and possibly material blending is usually part of a bulk material handling system.

Bulk material handling systems can be found on mine sites, ports (for loading or unloading of cereals, ores and minerals) and processing facilities (such as iron and steel, coal fired power stations refineries).

In ports handling large quantities of bulk materials continuous ship unloaders are replacing gantry cranes.

See also

• Bulk cargo
• Rotary car dumper

External links

• The Powder and Bulk Channel - Solutions for the Powder and Bulk Industry
• Bulk Material Handling from UniTrak
• Bulk Material Handling Systems and Equipment
• Horizontal Motion, Vibratory, Slat, and Belt Conveying Systems