In the highly competitive market, your business success is greatly dependent on your material supply efficiency. From manufacturing plants to construction, there’s a persistent need for reliable powder tankers and related technologies. If you’re to guarantee your clients’ efficiency, you need more than just the technical knowledge of powder tankers.
Apart from maintaining a fleet of powder tankers, you must have the right types for the job. You also need to understand the various technologies surrounding the powder tank transport realm. Keep reading to discover the different powder tanker modes and the innovative technologies that shape the industry.
Understanding the Powder Tank Trailer Modes
At the mention of a powder tanker, what comes to mind is a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) with a tank on the trailer. But did you know that there are various types of powder tankers for dry powder cargo? Most powder tankers are categorised according to the discharge method and operational principles. Each of these presents different perks when it comes to loading and unloading your dry cargo.
Pneumatic bulk powder tanker
Pneumatic tankers are the most common and comprise compressed air that discharges the dry powder from the tank. The tanks are made from durable aluminium or stainless steel with a seal and a pneumatic system. The latter pressurises the tank, making it easier to discharge the bulk dry material via a pipeline of hose. If you’re in the business of transporting flour, sugar, or cement, pneumatic tankers are the best for use.
Pressure differential tankers
Just as the name suggests, these bulk powder tankers rely on the atmospheric pressure difference to discharge material. They comprise a pressure differential system that creates a pressure imbalance between the tank’s inside and outside. When the discharge pipe is opened, the material flows from the high-pressure area to the outside with low pressure. Think of it like diffusion from a high to a low concentration zone.
Pressure differential tankers best suit the transport of granular materials or fine powders with little moisture content.
Vacuum bulk powder tankers
These tankers are named after their loading mechanism rather than unloading. They operate by pumping out air inside the tank, creating a vacuum that pushes the powder into the tanker. On reaching the destination, the tank system does a reverse of the loading, which forces the material outside. Vacuum bulk powder tankers are mostly used for transporting pharmaceuticals or powdered chemicals.
Hopper-bottom powder tankers
They’re also referred to as box trailers. These powder tankers comprise a tank with a hopper bottom for discharging the powdered material. The design utilises gravity to pull the material from the tank. Hopper-bottom powder tankers are popular for transporting that need gentle handling, such as plastic pellets or food-grade powders.
Know the Powder tank technologies
Before settling on any powder tank, what are some of the crucial technologies that you must be familiar with? These are innovative features that enhance safety, efficiency, and environmental sustainability. In addition to the powder tanker modes, here are technologies worth knowing:
Automated loading and unloading tank systems
In powder material transportation, one aspect that you must prepare yourself for is the loading and unloading mechanism. Thankfully, modern powder tankers come equipped with automated systems that streamline these processes for you. These features come in handy to reduce manual labour while improving efficiency.
The loading and unloading systems use sensors, robotics, and computerised controls. It’s an efficient process that controls material handling and reduces human error. The tanker unloading systems perform a direct transfer of material from the tanker to a storage silo. The highly efficient unloading systems can unload and fill the silos at a rate of 10–50 tons an hour.
Telematic and GPS tracking
Fleet management is another important aspect of running a successful powder tank transportation venture. Telematic systems are commonly used to track the real-time location and speed of the HGV. Also, you can track the operational status of your powder tanker to avoid unauthorised unloading.
In combination with a GPS tracking system, fleet managers can optimise routes for timely deliveries. If you want to go a notch higher, you can integrate multi-cameras on different spots of the HGV.
Summary
To run a more efficient powder tank transport business, you need to have the right type of powder tanker fleet. And by right we mean, a powder tanker best equipped for the type of material you transport. If you’re into cement transportation, a pneumatic powder tanker is the most ideal. In addition, ensure you equip your tanker with the right technologies for enhanced fleet management and driver safety. With the changing technologies, be on the lookout for innovative powder tank technologies. This will greatly help you meet your client’s needs and stay ahead of the competition in the UK market.
