Electrical Power & Protection


Static electricity problem solved with compressed air

May 2000 Electrical Power & Protection

A pharmaceutical company needed to fill mouthwash bottles at a rate of 200 per minute. Friction with the conveyor belt and guide rails produced a static charge on the bottle surface that resulted in two problems. First, the static electricity sent false signals to an encoder responsible for monitoring material flow, causing it to shut the line down periodically. Second, the surface charge was so high that the liquid from the machine's fill spout would divert sideways down the side of the bottle instead of flowing straight down into the mouth.

A solution was found in the form of a Model 111012 12' (30 cm) super ion air knife and Model 7901 power supply. These were installed at the entrance to the fill table. The rapidly moving bottles passed under the sheet of ionised air and the surface static was neutralised. The falsing problem was eliminated and the mouthwash went into the bottle where it belonged.

Static electricity can bring production to a halt, as it did here. The speed of the filling operation required fast static decay over a large surface area – a situation that a static bar alone could not remedy. The laminar airflow of the super ion air knife delivers a flood of static eliminating ions to any surface the airstream touches, making it good for oddly shaped parts like bottles, totes or trays as well as flat surfaces like webs, sheet stock or conveyors.



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Waste To Energy thermal technologies
DirectLogic Automation Electrical Power & Protection
The vast quantities of waste produced around the world are a large and growing problem. Waste to Energy technology based on pyrolysis is a solution.

Read more...
New enhanced Breaker Status and Communication Module
Schneider Electric South Africa Electrical Power & Protection
Schneider Electric has launched its new Breaker Status and Communication Module (BSCM) Modbus SL/ULP, which delivers enhanced performance, improved connectivity and simplified integration for power distribution systems.

Read more...
Building green industries to scale green economies
Electrical Power & Protection
Africa is taking bold steps to build green industries across the continent. Namibia is a trailblazer in the hydrogen space, with up to five Final Investment Decisions scheduled to be made in 2025/2026 and is pioneering a world first for green industrialisation.

Read more...
Easing the path for IPPs navigating South Africa’s energy regulations
Electrical Power & Protection
Independent Power Producers and developers venturing into South Africa’s renewable energy sector face a challenging regulatory landscape. SPS is a renewable energy asset management company that is actively expanding into the energy trading and wheeling market, which will enable businesses to buy and sell energy directly

Read more...
How energy storage will make or break SA’s renewable transition
Electrical Power & Protection
Energy storage is no longer an add-on, but the foundation of a reliable, resilient and renewable energy system. As South Africa accelerates towards a greener future, storage innovation could determine the difference between progress and paralysis.

Read more...
Condition-based maintenance can revolutionise business continuity
Schneider Electric South Africa Electrical Power & Protection
As businesses experience growing pressure to enhance operational efficiency and reduce downtime due to electrical failure, condition-based maintenance becomes essential for preventing unforeseen equipment breakdowns by assessing the real-time health of electrical systems.

Read more...
Boiler selection for optimal thermal energy performance
Electrical Power & Protection
The changing world of boilers means companies wishing to improve their thermal energy efficiencies while containing costs and environmental impacts must make careful and informed decisions. AES’s rich pool of experience, ability to keep pace with new steam trends and technologies, and understanding of their clients’ production processes can assist clients to weigh up different options in a careful and informed manner.

Read more...
Securing Africa’s energy future starts at home
ACTOM Electrical Machines Electrical Power & Protection
Africa’s energy demands are surging, but the current reliance on imported solar technology leaves the continent vulnerable. This is why the prospect of building inverters and lithium batteries locally, designed for South Africa’s specific needs, is so promising.

Read more...
Dry-type transformers for Dutch intake substation
Electrical Power & Protection
A data centre in the Netherlands is the site of a recent innovation on the transformer landscape, where TMC Transformers has designed, manufactured and installed dry-type transformers in a large intake substation.

Read more...
Generators: The muscle in the new energy mix
WEG Africa Electrical Power & Protection
Contrary to their reputation as noisy and dirty, generators are a key part of modern energy supplies. Generators are reliable electricity workhorses in times of need. But they are also becoming welcome additions to modern energy mixes through efficiency improvements, noise reduction and flexible design choices.

Read more...