Engineering Services
Engineering/System design - At DBC, we can provide new application "system" design, retrofitted designs to accommodate process changes and line expansion designs. We specialize in storage system design for the minerals, chemicals, aggregates, foods and plastics markets.
- Tank design recommendations and specifications
- Auxiliary equipment specification development
- Recommendations on existing fill, discharge and process system designs
- Material flow problems and material flow testing – conducted through a Tank Connection affiliate
- Dust collection and control
- Discharge feeder selection
- Inventory management systems and weighing
- Specification development for flow types including funnel flow, mass flow, functional mass flow and expanded flow
- We will advise and specify recommendations on active & passive flow control devices
- Complete specification development on tank appurtenances including walkways, stair towers, support structures, bucket elevators, penthouse enclosures, etc.
- Complete new system layout – mechanical and pneumatic
Structural steel supports - Designed to meet your code requirements, we provide structural steel for all requirements. All structural shapes supplied conform to ASTM A36 and/or ASTM A992.
We offer:
- Tank support structures – independent structures, common structures, 4 leg, 6 leg and eight leg support approaches
- Elevated equipment supports
- Pipe bridges
- Free-standing stairtowers
- Enclosed building main frames
- Elevated building (penthouse) support frames located on top of a tank battery
- Walkways, maintenance and access platforms
- Truck drive through support structures
- Load cell – Tank support frames
- Misc. pneumatic and mechanical conveying supports
Foundation design & installation - We will provide complete foundation loading (static and dynamic loads), allowing for the development of a properly designed foundation. Additionally, based on the foundation loads generated, The Tank Connection can provide you with a quote for foundation design based on a given set of conservative parameters. Once a soils report has been generated, the foundation design can be finalized and stamped by a PE from any state.
Product flow testing - Working through an affiliate, Joe Marinelli of Solids Handling Technologies, your product can be tested for its specific flow characteristics. With defined flow properties, we can produce dry bulk storage silos with predictable and reliable flow, even for hard to flow products.
Your product testing is conducted on a shear tester, allowing SHT to predict material flow properties as they pertain to tanks and hoppers. They measure the cohesive strength of a solid to determine the opening required to prevent arching and rat-holing. Additionally, they measure the wall friction values to determine the required hopper slope for functional mass flow.
Bins & hoppers - At DBC, we will design and fabricate custom bins and hoppers per your specifications. Supported on legs, girders, lugs, load cells, or customer steel. DBC can provide you with the appropriate designs incorporating specified codes tailored for the application.
Storage Tank designs - We provide tank design services specifying the appropriate codes and design parameters applicable to a particular stored material. Capabilities include: ASME, ASTM, AWWA D120, AWWA D100, 3A Dairy, BS 4994, API 620, API 650, API 12B, API Principles, AWWA D103-97, NFPA-22, NFPA-68, FM Approved, FM Principles, UBC, IBC, ASCE 7-98, AISC, OSHA, MSHA, etc. Local and state codes can be incorporated if specifically noted.
Custom Design Services - The Dry Bulk Connection offers custom designs routinely. Based on the customers requirements and the appropriate design codes, we can provide custom-built storage tanks, storage systems, mechanical systems, passive flow control devices, support structures and misc. steel supports. Additionally, all proposals from The Dry Bulk Connection can be backed by design calculations and a PE stamp from any state in North America. Give us a try on your next project and let us exceed your expectations.