Modern technology has transformed the manually intensive, yet essential, task of filling train sand boxes.

Instead of carrying sand, usually in buckets, from storage points and manually loading sand into sand boxes, this new system allows sand to be delivered direct to bulk storage points and to multiple sanding points using pneumatic conveying technology. Sand delivery can be either by means of a static installation, or Electric Mobile Sanding Vehicle complete with its own compressor powered by on board batteries.
Dense phase pneumatic conveying transfers the sand at low velocity, minimising pipe wear within the enclosed conveying pipe, and eliminating dust and spillage. Local dispensing points located along service roadways provide the facility to fill the sand boxes simultaneously on multiple roadways.
Each dispensing point transfers sand into the sand box using a petrol pump style nozzle, very similar to filling a car with fuel. The operator simply places the sand nozzle into the sand box and opens the flow valve. Sand is transferred under pressure with dust emission eliminated by a simple exhaust system. When the sand box is full the action of the sand covering the nozzle outlet automatically stops the sand flow. The operator then closes the supply and returns the nozzle back to the dispensing holster. m

Enter 39 or at www.engineerlive.com/rii

Clyde Materials Handling is based in Doncaster, UK. www.clydematerials.com