Materials handling, unpacking, storage

Objective

Materials handling applies to the receipt, storage and internal conveying of raw materials, intermediate products and final products.

Field of application

All sectors.

Techniques, methods and equipment

a) Solid Materials

Solid materials are commonly delivered in bags stocked on pallets or in containers (big-bags). They may also be delivered in a frozen state, packed in standardised blocks with carton linings. They are transported with forklift trucks and stored in a store. Larger amounts of solid raw materials and powders are mostly delivered in bulk. These are off-loaded directly for processing or stored in silos for future use. Solid raw materials can be conveyed by water (e.g. as is the case of vegetables, roots, tubers), by air (e.g. as is the case of solid particles, powder) or by conveyer belts and elevators, screw conveyors and pumps.

b) Liquids

Liquid raw materials are delivered in bulk tankers and then pumped into storage tanks. The internal transport of liquid is achieved by pumping the liquid through piping systems, which can be extensive and complex. Smaller quantities of liquids are also delivered in mini-bulk containers or in drums. These are then transported with forklift trucks and kept in an appropriate store.

c) Gases

Gases like N₂, CO₂ and SO₂ are delivered and stored in special pressurised containers. When they are required they are connected to the system concerned and gas is transported through the piping system by pressure differences. Some examples of gas use are SO₂ in the processing of sugar and in wine making, and N₂ and CO₂ in packaging and chilling.

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