Hosokawa Micron, Runcorn, UK, has - in association with a leading detergent manufacturer – designed a containment booth system for safe and accurate weigh-filling of problematic powders. The containment system is uniquely configured for automated filling of open-top bulk bags located within a wheeled buggy frame. The booth is connected to the customer’s HVAC system to generate a horizontal laminar airflow which captures airborne particulates generated in the filling operations. The contaminated air is then extracted through the combined booth plenum to a remote filtration system.

Double opening doors at the front of each booth allow easy access for the manual loading of the FIBC buggy. As the buggy is pushed into position the FIBC lid is automatically lifted. Guide rails ensure accurate positioning beneath the downward sealing filling head. Once the buggy is in position (defined by a sensor) a mechanical clamp device holds the wheeled buggy in place. Doors are interlocked to prevent unauthorised entry whilst filling operation takes place. Accurate weigh-filling is controlled from outside the booth and once filled the FIBC buggy can be wheeled away with operatives protected from potentially sensitising or hazardous, residual airborne dusts. The booth is equipped with integrated weigh scale, internal lighting and dust monitoring system. www.hosokawa.co.uk

The booth doors are hermetically closed while filling takes place