Weigh Module Applications

Weighing modules can be used to convert nearly any structure into a scale. They can be part of a structure's original design or can be added to an existing structure. This cheaper describes the most common weigh module applications.

Tanks, hoppers, silos and vessels are used for material handling in many industries.By attaching a system of weigh modules to one of these containers,you can weigh the contents accurately and reliably. This handbook uses "tank" as a generic term to refer to any tank, hopper, silo or vessel supported by weigh modules, but each is a specific type of container used for the purposes described below:

Tanks: A tank is usually a closed container used to store or process liquids, gases or free-flowing solids.Tanks range in size from small residential tanks for propane or heating fuel to large industrial tanks that can hold many tons of material.Figure 2-1  shows a tank supported by compression weigh modules;they can be horizontal or vertical and be symmetrical or non-symmetrical.

Hoppers:A hopper is a container that is open at the top and generally used to process solid materials in the form of powders or granules. It is generally used to dispense materials or collect ingredients for later processing.Hoppers tend to be smaller than tanks and are often suspended from a superstructure. Figure 2-2 shows a hopper supported by tension weigh modules.

Silos:A silo is a closed container similar to a vertical tank but used for the storage of solid materials in powder or granular form. Silos range in size and can be very large,up to several hundred tons.They are often positioned outdoors and used to supply the raw materials to an adjacent processing plant.

Vessels:A vessel is an elaborate tank with equipment to allow heating,cooling,mixing, or other processes. Chemical reactions often take place in vessels and therefore it must be possible to precisely weigh material additions.