Aptech has completed phase 1 & 2 of a major contract worth a total of £700,000 for DuPont Teijin Films at Dumfries.

The project involved the design, supply and installation of silos and pneumatic conveying systems to handle polymer.

DuPont Teijin Films required greater flexibility for their materials handling side and a new facility to store and convey the polymer before going to process with the ability to re-work material.

The plant produces Melinex® and Mylar® polyester films, which are used in many applications including food packaging, digital imaging, electrical, speciality, electronics and industrial.

The nature and use of the product meant that careful and clean handling was required resulting in all stainless steel contact parts. The project comprised four 100 cubic metre stainless steel skirted silos each 4m diameter by 13m overall height with a joint midway to enable the silo to be expanded to 200 cubic metres at a later date.

The silos are fitted with special Diamond Back Mass Flow Design Hoppers and product is discharged at 1.5 TPH into 4” pneumatic conveying lines which transfer the product to the process.

A wash out facility with spray ball mounted to the underside of the silo roof and bottom collection point enable the silo to be cleaned out easily when product grade change occurs, avoiding cross contamination.

Six 5” stainless steel pneumatic conveying lines transfer the product to the silos via cyclones and a central dust collection system with flame arrestors vents the conveying air.