The question I wish to pose concerns the problem which we, and I'm sure many other operators of bulk tankers encounter when the load transfer is completed. The product in question is flour and typically we are delvering to a bulk storage bin at a Baker customer. At the end of the transfer when there is no more flour to discharge, the resistance in the conveying line reduces dramatically and the compressed air in the tanker discharges to the bin at a much increased rate. This increase in air flow temporarily overloads the bin filter and pressurises the bin often causing the emission of dust to atmosphere.

One solution is to increase the size of the filter on the bin but if you have many customers this is an expensive exercise.

I feel that there is scope for the development of an airflow control valve that responds directly to blowline pressure and maintains the flow of air from the tanker at the normal conveying air flow rate.

Is it possible that such a valve has already been developed? Or, is there another solution? ■