The CentriFeeder MCV is a gravimetric weigh feeder that integrates a flow measurement device with the flow control capabilities of an integrated slide gate, in order to accurately measure and control the flow of any dry, free-flowing solid that can be controlled using a slide gate. Through the use of a highly customizable touch screen HMI, a PID control loop is established that modulates the slide gate that feeds our patented flow measurement device. The outcome is an accurate, easily maintained, consistent flow that can be used for mixing, ratio control, or even bulk density measurement.
TECHNICAL
FEATURES AND BENEFITS
CASE STUDIES
DOWNLOADS
INTRODUCTION TO TECHNOLOGY
APPLICATIONS
MCV: Modular Control Valve
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Below, you can find the manuals for the CentriFeeder MCV family of solids feeders and dosers. The manuals have been divided into the Mechanical Manual for the mechanical portion and the Electronics Manual for the touchscreen interface and setup. There is also a section for troubleshooting and maintenance procedures as well. Feel free to Contact Us with any questions.
The CentriFeeder MCV offers a typical accuracy of within +/-0.25 - 0.50% across the entire flow range of the feeder (typically 100:1 range), for most flowable solids.
The CentriFeeder MCV consists of two main components, a flow measurement portion and a flow controlling slide gate, that work in unison. The flow measurement portion is a gravimetric solids flow measurement device that utilizes a centripetal force based flow measurement technology to maintain an extremely accurate flow measurement. The flow measurement signal is used to create a PID control loop for controlling flow by the slide gate, which modulates in order to maintain a flow rate and will close automatically when a total set point is reached. When no total set point is entered, the feeder will maintain its flow rate set point indefinitely (great for blending applications and 24-7 operations).
The CentriFeeder MCV can control your product by maintaining a flow rate for continuous blending applications or it can can control based on total throughput for batching or filling applications.
Constructed from sturdy, high grade Aluminum, the CentriFeeder MCV is a very low maintenance device. Because the drop into the feeder and the velocity of the product as it moves through the feeder is controlled, surface wear and part fatigue is kept to a minimum.
The CentriFeeder MCV can control flows at flow rates from 12.5 lb/hr (5.7 kg/hr) up to 16,000 lb/hr (7257 kg/hr) and greater.
An Integral Linear Position Sensor regulates the blade of the integral slide gate to within 1 part in 1000 (based on stroke), leading to increased accuracy.
FLOW RATE: Real Time Flow Rate Output
TOTALIZATION: Real Time, Continuous Totalization
VALVE POSITION: Current Opening Position of the Control valve (slide gate)
FLOW RATE SETPOINT: Send down a flow rate set point for recipes or process changes
TOTAL SETPOINT: Send down total set point for filling applications or loadout of railcars, trucks, etc.
Opens from a fully closed start to a set point in as little as 1 second.
Utilizing a product's natural tendency to bridge, the Virtual Flow Stop feature ensures that flow stops without shutting the valve completely which both minimizes wear of the valve itself and limits damage to the product caused by being crushed in the closing valve.
With a vertical height under 27" and a width that is less than 9" the MCV has a very compact design that can be mounted almost anywhere The MCV is designed to be installed as an individual unit or stacked for multiple ingredient blending.
ICV ELECTRONICS
The CentriFeeder ICV Digital Electronics is a remote electronics package that comes standard with every ICV model Weigh Feeder. The meter is connected to the electronics via the included electronics cable. The standard electronics cable that comes with each unit measures 10 feet in length, but the length of the cable can be customized for longer cable runs. Below are some of the remote electronics package's features and benefits:
FEATURES AND BENEFITS
The CentriFlow CFM Meter electronics package features a color touch screen HMI that makes calibration as easy as pushing a button.
Both the flow rate and the total are displayed simultaneously on the main screen.
The CentriFlow CFE Electronics have a universal power supply that requires incoming power of between 85 and 264 VAC.
The CFM Electronics' HMI display supports an on-screen plot/trend of the flow through the meter.
The CFE Electronics comes with settings for alarms on both the flow rate and the total.
The standard outputs for the CFE CentriFlow Electronics include a 4-20 mA signal that is equivalent to flow rate, and a Pulse Output that is equivalent to total.
If connecting to a PLC or other controller, the CentriFlow CFE Electronics will communicate using the Ethernet/IP protocol. Flow rate, total and a variety of other data is transmitted to the PLC and commands from the PLC to change calibration values among other things, can be sent down from the PLC to the meter.
Eastern Instruments has extensive capabilities to customize the programming for the CFE electronics, which includes both the interface as well as the underlying functionality. Multiple units can even be connected to communicate for applications involving mixing or blending. Contact us today!
CENTRIFEEDER APPLICATIONS
The CentriFeeder MCV is a highly customizable feeder that can be tailored to a variety of applications for nearly any granular product. Whether used for single products or used in unison for recipe based blending or batching, the CentriFeeder MCV is perfect for nearly any application. Below are just a few of the applications where our feeders have been utilized.
FLOW CONTROL: SINGLE
For simple and accurate measurement and control of a single product, a single CentriFeeder can be equipped with a standard electronics and HMI. This simple but effective setup can be used for a variety of applications including blending, batching and more.
FLOW CONTROL: MULTIPLE
For accurate measurement and control of multiple products, multiple CentriFeeder devices can be utilized, along with standard electronics and HMI programming working independently of one another. Multiple units can also be controlled via a single, Master HMI or other controller, for simple and precise control of a recipe based blend.
BATCHING OR FILLING
Using specially designed filling or batching software, the CentriFeeder MCV can be used to batch ingredients into a process or fill containers over 5 lb in size. The filling can be initiated manually via a push button or foot pedal, or it can be initiated automatically via a PLC or other controller.
BULK DENSITY METER
The CentriFeeder has an optional bulk density output that can be transmitted by various communication protocols including Ethernet/IP. Utilizing patented CentriFlow mass flow measurement technology which is based on the principal of Centripetal Force, a true mass flow measurement is obtained as the product stream passes over the Measurement Pan (no sampling is required). Meanwhile, the Integrated Control Valve, which is controlled to within 1 part in 1000 based on stroke, ensures that an extremely precise measurement of the volume of product is taken at the same time that the mass flow is being measured. The result is a highly accurate, dynamic bulk density measurement.
DOCUMENTATION
Below, you will find a variety of product literature including product catalogs, single page cut sheets and various application guides that can assist in selecting the correct feeder for your project. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to help.
SOLIDS OVERVIEW CATALOG
CUT SHEETS/SPEC SHEETS
HOW IT WORKS
The CentriFeeder MCV is a gravimetric device that works by integrating the flow measurement accuracy of the CentriFlow Meter with the flow controlling capabilities of an Integrated Slide Gate. Combined into a single, multi-functioning weigh feeder, the MCV measures the flow rate and total of the product that runs through it, but also controls the flow rate and total to a predetermined set point As product flows through the MCV and over the curved measurement pan, the instantaneous flow rate is measured and used, via a PID control loop, to modulate the Integrated Control Valve. Because the CentriFeeder MCV is able to respond to changes in flow rate within 100 ms and can typically be within +/-1.00% of the flow set point within 1 second, it offers a perfect alternative to conventional Loss-in-Weight feeders. The result is an extremely accurate way to measure and control the flow of any granular product such as pellets, grains, fertilizers and more.
FLOW RATE CONTROL: CONTINUOUS PROCESSES
The CentriFeeder MCV gravimetric weigh feeder can be used for continuous flow control as well as for blending applications. By modulating the integral control valve within the CentriFeeder MCV, the selected flow rate will be maintained. Depending on the size of the MCV unit selected, flow rates can be controlled down to 250 lb/hr. For lower flow rates, the CentriFeeder MCV can also be run in Pulse Mode in which the valve will pulse product by continually opening then closing the integral slide gate in order to maintain even lower flow rates. Using the Pulse Mode, the CentriFeeder MCV can reach flow rates down to 12.5 lb/hr. Contact Eastern Instruments for more information.
TOTAL CONTROL: BATCHING AND FILLING
For batching, filling or other non-continuous blending applications, the CentriFeeder MCV can be used to control based on the total amount of product passing through the weigh feeder. After entering a set point for the fill/batch total, the CentriFeeder MCV will discharge the desired amount of product at a controlled flow rate. The feeder will then close its Integrated Control Valve and the product flow will stop.
USING THE CENTRIFEEDER
The CentriFeeder line of feeders provides accurate, real-time flow measurement, as well as near perfect control of flow rate and total. Whether batching single products, filling containers, or blending multiple products together, the CentriFeeder line of feeders can help.
Below are just a few of the uses that the CentriFeeder can be used for. Please click on the different ways of implementing using the CentriFeeder and see how Please see below for additional information regarding the various applications for which the CentriFeeder can be used. We have only listed a few of the applications below, but the CentriFeeder can be used for nearly any application in which flow measurement and control are needed. Contact us today!
BATCHING
For simple and accurate measurement and control of a single product, a single CentriFeeder can be equipped with a standard electronics and HMI. This simple but effective setup can be used to batch granular materials in to your process. A weight set point and a flow rate are entered into the CentriFeeder. When the feeder is started, it will maintain the entered flow rate. Once the weight set point (total) is reached, the feeder will automatically stop the flow of material for extremely accurate batches.
FLOW CONTROL
For blending applications, or applications that are continuously running, the CentriFeeder line of feeders also can control based on flow rate. This simple but effective setup can be used to continuously feed a controlled flow rate of material into your process. A flow rate set point is entered into the CentriFeeder. Once the feeder is started, it will maintain the flow rate set point by modulating the feed of material up and down to maintain the desired flow rate. The feeder will then shut off again once it receives a signal that your process has shut down, or that you are out of product.
BLENDING
For accurate measurement and control of multiple products that are being blended together, multiple CentriFeeder devices, each with standard electronics and HMI programming, can be utilized. The units can be used independently, meaning that the flow rate can be adjusted for each unit, using the included touch screen HMI. For ratio-control applications, a master controller (or PLC controller) can be used to send remote set points down to the individual feeders making them versatile for different recipes or blend percentages.
FILLING
For filling applications, from 10 lb containers up to vehicle filling, the CentriFeeder line of feeders will offer a very quick and very accurate fill. To utilize the CentriFeeder for filling, you will enter a desired flow rate and a total set point (the fill amount for each container). You then press the start button and the feeder will maintain the desired flow rate until the fill total has been met. The feeder will then shut off, stopping flow of the material. The fill accuracy is typically within +/-0.50%. The CentriFeeder can be used to fill containers down to 10 lb and as large as railcars or trucks. Custom fill screens and software are available depending on the filling application.
