Production Processes

Capacity Engineering Questions

Drag Conveyors:

1. You are sizing a drag conveyor for an application requiring 3400 cubic feet per
hour. What size drag would you select considering cost as well?

Screw Conveyors:

1. You are sizing a screw conveyor to handle 3000 bushels of whole corn per hour.
What diameter screw would you choose?

3000 bushel of whole corn per hour = 3733 lb/cuft. We would need a 14” screw to
attain this rate.

2. By upgrading to the next biggest screw size, how much more capacity would we
get?

3. What factors would you need to take into consideration if this same screw were
to handle a variety of ingredients, from midds to calcium?

Bucket Elevator:

4. What things could you change at your location to increase capacity of the
receiving elevator?

Screener:

5. You are considering adding a screener at bulk loadout. What type of conveyor
would you use to get the pellets from the bin hopper to the screener? What kind
of capacity do you need to achieve? Who would you contact to get a quote and
installation information from? What resources can you utilize in house versus
awarding to an outside contractor? How will the location handle fines?

Capital Project System Upgrade:

The following question should be completed based on your location’s current equipment
setup. Use the story outline and information below in conjunction with information
available at your location regarding your current equipment setup.

6. Your location is in the process of installing a new Sprout 26XW300 pellet mill.
The expected average tons per hour for this mill is 16-18; know that some feeds
will run faster or slower depending on formulation and ingredient composition, but
this is the expected average. Your current pellet mill only averages 9.5 tph
(assume a 36lb/cubic ft average pellet density). It is your job to determine how to
increase the capacity of your pelleting system so that it can handle the increased
volume. Consider drags, elevators, coolers, fans, screeners, fines return screws,
and spouting.

a. Make a list of your current pelleting system’s capacities.

b. Calculate the current cuft/hr requirement for the pellet mill producing an
average TPH of 9.5.
c. Calculate the new cuft/hr requirement for the Sprout 26XW300.
d. What changes will need to be made in order to complete the project and
ensure adequate capacity throughout the entire pelleting system?
e. Refer to the CAN specifications manual for the project requirements
(equipment, construction, etc). Note what specifications and requirements
will be followed throughout the completion of this job.
f. For any equipment that you have to replace, decide which vendor your
location would use. Utilize CAN preferred suppliers for the duration of the
project.
g. Put together a proposal for this project; present to your manager.