Bulkflow Technologies Inc. was formed in 1999, but the company`s patented heat exchanger technology was created almost 20 years ago in 1986. An engineer at the Cominco Fertilizer (now Agrium) plant near Calgary, Alberta, Canada was inspired to come up with a better way to cool granular fertilizer and the Bulkflow Heat Exchanger was born. The technology combines zero emissions, lower energy consumption and lower capital costs with exceptional results.
The Better Way to Heat or Cool Powder and Bulk Solids
Cominco Engineering Services Ltd. marketed the innovative heat exchanger until 1999 when a group of employees got together and bought the technology from Cominco, forming a new company called Bulkflow Technologies. From its initial application with cooling fertilizers, the concept has been expanded for heating or cooling powders and bulk solids in a wide variety of industries, including sugar, detergents, plastics and chemicals. As a result of ongoing development and testing, the Bulkflow Heat Exchanger technology has now been successfully installed in more than 200 locations worldwide.
The backbone of the company is an experienced team of people who have been involved in the development and application of the technology from its inception. Bulkflow has a full-time staff of 12 people in North America and four based in Europe, supported by a large network of consultants, service providers and suppliers.
Engineering Standards
Engineering is the strength of the company. The first step is to fully understand our customer`s needs. This covers many topics including process and operating requirements, upstream and downstream conditions, physical location, and potential operating hazards. A clear definition of each of these topics is developed with the customer and this forms the basis for the design of the Bulkflow Heat Exchanger. At all times we strive for close communication with our customers.
Bulkflow`s project engineers are based in Calgary and dedicated to the successful translation of our customer needs into a fully functioning piece of pressure equipment. Rigorous design; compliance with international codes and standards; close partnership with selected fabricators; detailed customer documentation and operating manuals; on-site commissioning and post commissioning activities are all necessary steps to ensure a successful project.
Quality Control Requirements
Bulkflow Technologies is committed to meeting the most relevant quality control guidelines, wherever it operates around the world. The company adheres to the American Society of Mechanical Engineering`s (ASME`s) codes for pressure vessels, a universally recognized guideline for manufacturing heat exchangers and other equipment. The company also meets the requirements of the Pressure Equipment Directive (PED), an alternate set of guidelines used primarily in Europe. Where ATEX (Atmosphère Explosive) approvals are needed, the company is able to meet those requirements, as well.
With each new piece of pressure equipment, Bulkflow`s engineers follow a customized Inspection and Test Plan (ITP). The plan calls for testing and inspection against more than 35 different criteria in several categories. Company engineers assure compliance at every step in the process, from early in the design phase through to installation and commissioning. Bulkflow also monitors each new installation to ensure ongoing high quality performance.
Research and Development Creates Opportunity
Bulkflow Technologies owes its success to the courage and vision of its founding employees. These same qualities continue to guide the company as it explores new opportunities for further growth within its area of expertise. Bulkflow`s engineers are currently researching pressure equipment designs to handle very high temperature products (in the range of 1000º Celsius). There is also interest in capturing the enormous amount of energy that is wasted when handling high temperature products. The company is looking at ways of recovering energy for cost savings and improved environmental performance. As energy prices increase worldwide, the motivation for improved energy efficiency has never been more evident.
Bulkflow is also exploring the use of indirect heat in the drying process. This promises to dramatically improve the energy efficiency compared to conventional dryers where a hot air stream provides the energy required to heat the product and evaporate the water. Conventional air dryers often have energy efficiencies of less than 40 per cent with the highest energy losses to the stack. In comparison, the Bulkflow dryer will add heat to the process indirectly through heat transfer plates using hot water or steam as the heat transfer fluid that can easily be re-circulated to minimize losses. Air is still required to remove the moisture but quantities are much lower. The result will be a high efficiency dryer.
