KWS Provides Rapid Delivery for Dicalite Minerals

General Description

Dicalite Minerals produces and sells diatomaceous earth, perlite, and vermiculite for use in building, filtration, and fire-resistant products. Their minerals are also used as ingredients in paint and coatings, pet care products, soil amendments for plants, and much more. Dicalite’s products are produced from five mining complexes and processed across twelve facilities in North America and Belgium.

New KWS Bucket Elevator Installed and Operational at Plant

Design Parameters

Product Type: Diatomaceous Earth
Material Density: 16 PCF
Capacity: 625 CFH
Duty: 24 hours per day, 7 days per week

KWS Advantages

KWS has extensive engineering and manufacturing capabilities to meet any demand. In August 2024, Dicalite Minerals initially approached another manufacturer for their project, but with a planned shutdown and installation date in November 2024, the manufacturer could not meet the delivery timeline. Dicalite Minerals then contacted KWS, knowing they were the only manufacturer capable of meeting the deadline. Despite a complete redesign of the equipment during the approval drawing process to accommodate changes in capacity, KWS still guaranteed on-site delivery before the November shutdown, with less than 20 working days to manufacture custom equipment including a screw conveyor, screw feeder, and bucket elevator.

KWS Special Features

KWS designed and manufactured a centrifugal bucket elevator to elevate the bulk materials quickly and efficiently. With diatomaceous earth not being an extremely harsh product, KWS provided a belt style elevator with nylon buckets. Ductile iron digger buckets were used every seven buckets to dig material out of the boot section. Due to space constraints around the boot section of the bucket elevator, KWS provided a screw type take-up for adjusting belt tension located at the head section to allow for easy access and adjustment.

KWS incorporated air-purged shaft seals on the screw conveyor and screw feeder to prevent bulk materials from leaking out. The seal design maintains a constant low-pressure air stream to purge the seal area, thereby enhancing operational longevity and minimizing downtime costs associated with frequent repairs. To remove dust from the screw conveyor, screw feeder and bucket elevator, KWS installed dust collection vents in precise locations to optimize dust control.

Testimonial

“We commend KWS for the flexibility when major changes came up, turnaround time on approval drawings and meeting the short delivery timeline. I rate KWS a 10 (best rating) for consistent availability and prompt updates.”

Brian Ball, Owner – Ball Sales & Engineering