This unit operation converts discrete entities into flow of bulk material. It can be useful in modeling raw material recycling operations (e.g., recycling of plastic and glass containers). Also, whenever there is a need to feed discrete entities into a unit that expects bulk flow (e.g., incineration), a discrete-to-bulk generic box or an equivalent unit (e.g., a grinder or shredder) must be used to convert the inlet flow.
● Discrete to Bulk Generic Box Procedure
If the equipment size option is in Design Mode and the operating throughput exceeds the maximum throughput, then, the program assumes multiple, identical units operating in parallel with an operating throughput of less than the maximum. If the equipment size option is in Rating Mode and the operating throughput exceeds the rated throughput of the step (which is equal to the rated throughput of each unit times the number of units), a warning message is displayed advising the user to increase the number of units or reduce the operating throughput.
To account for electricity consumption, the user can either specify the power demand (in kW) or the specific power requirement (in kW/kg-h). In the second case, the specific power requirement times the operating throughput yields the power consumption.
The interface of this operation has the following tabs:
● Oper. Cond’s, see Discrete-to-Bulk Conversion: Oper. Conds Tab
● Utilities, see Discrete Throughput Operations: Utilities Tab
● Labor, etc, see Operations Dialog: Labor etc. Tab
● Description, see Operations Dialog: Description Tab
● Batch Sheet, see Operations Dialog: Batch Sheet Tab
● Scheduling, see Operations Dialog: Scheduling Tab