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Impact Flow Meter for Solids Gravimetric Chute Conveyor Systems
Quick Answer: An impact flow meter senses the impact force of dry bulk material hitting a plate inside a chute. The transmitter converts that force into a mass flow reading in kg/h or t/h. Silver Automation Instruments supplies these units for cement, grain, powder, and aggregate lines with 4-20 mA HART, Modbus, and optional ATEX dust certification.
What the Meter Does in a Chute Conveyor
A gravimetric chute conveyor moves solids by gravity after a belt conveyor, screw conveyor, rotary valve, or bucket elevator. The material falls through a vertical or inclined chute onto a sensing plate. The impact force changes with the mass flow rate. A strain gauge or load cell behind the plate picks up that force. The transmitter turns the small electrical signal into a flow reading.
In practice, this is a direct mass flow measurement. The system does not need a belt scale or weighbridge. For dry bulk solids, the chute itself becomes the measuring section. That cuts maintenance and installation time.
Typical Application Sites
We have seen these meters on customer sites in Vietnam, Indonesia, Chile, Saudi Arabia, and the Philippines. A cement plant in Vietnam installed one after a screw conveyor feeding raw meal to a storage silo. The flow range was 0 to 80 t/h. The process temperature was 70 degrees Celsius. After calibration with real raw meal, the total error stayed within 1.1 percent.
Another user, a paint manufacturer in the Philippines, runs a 0 to 30 t/h unit on calcium carbonate powder. That meter has a 316L stainless plate and IP67 housing because the plant is near the coast. Other industries include grain handling, animal feed pellets, crushed stone, sand, plastic chips, fly ash, and flour. Food plants often select 316L stainless steel sensing plates. Mining sites and cement plants may select ceramic lined plates for abrasive ore or clinker.
Outputs and Integration
Most impact flow meters from Silver Automation Instruments output 4-20 mA with HART. A pulse output works for totalizing. RS485 Modbus RTU is available for PLC or SCADA systems. Two relay alarms are common. One relay warns of low flow. The other signals high flow or a blocked chute.
Power options are 24 V DC or 220 V AC. The housing rating is IP65 or IP67. For dusty areas, ATEX Zone 21 or Zone 22 options are available.
Key Specifications Before You Quote
Flow range comes first. Common spans are 0 to 10 t/h, 0 to 50 t/h, 0 to 100 t/h, 0 to 300 t/h, and 0 to 600 t/h. The sensing plate can be 304 stainless steel, 316L stainless steel, or ceramic lined. Bulk density changes the impact force. A dense powder at the same flow rate will produce a stronger signal than light fluff.
Process temperature is typically minus 20 to plus 150 degrees Celsius. A high temperature version can
Installation and Calibration Advice
Install the meter in a straight chute section where material speed stays stable. Avoid feeding directly from a crusher or a pneumatic line with strong air flow. The drop height must stay consistent. The material should hit the sensing plate at the same angle every time. Common chute adapter sizes are DN150, DN200, and DN300.
Most engineers skip the chute angle check. That is a mistake. If the material slides instead of impacts, accuracy drops fast. Calibration is done on site with the actual product. You run a known weight of material through the chute. The meter adjusts its internal span. Some sites use a simulation weight for quick zero checks. We recommend a yearly calibration check for cement and abrasive powders.
Price Ranges
A basic impact flow meter for a 0 to 50 t/h cement or grain line starts around USD 1,800. A larger unit with ceramic lining and ATEX Zone 21 can cost USD 4,500 or more. Most quotations take one working day if you send the full process data.
FAQ
Can an impact flow meter measure sticky or wet solids?
It works best with dry free flowing material. Sticky material can build up on the sensing plate and shift the zero point. Wet powder may need a heated plate or a different meter type. Tell us your moisture content before you order.
What accuracy can I expect in real conditions?
Most sites reach plus or minus 1 to 2 percent of full scale. Good chute design and stable material speed make a big difference. Some cement lines achieve 0.5 percent after careful calibration.
Does this meter replace a belt scale?
It can replace a belt scale in many chute transfer points. The impact flow meter has no belt, no moving parts in the flow, and lower maintenance. But it needs a consistent drop height and material speed.
Which output should I choose for PLC integration?
4-20 mA HART is the standard first choice. Modbus RTU is useful when you want digital flow rate and total weight data on a SCADA screen. Both can work together on some models.
Can you recommend the right plate material for my powder?
Yes. Send us your material name, bulk density in kg/m3, particle size, moisture percentage, and flow range in t/h. We will recommend 304 stainless, 316L stainless, or ceramic lining.
Contact Silver Automation Instruments for a firm quotation. Send your process data including material type, bulk density, flow range, chute angle, and ambient temperature. Tel +86-25-68650347. WhatsApp +86-25-52155837. WeChat +86 15365082610. Website flow-meter.com.au.