Products Description
Need a sealed storage solution that prevents powder contamination, moisture absorption, and integrates with vacuum conveying?
Guanjiang's Stainless Steel Vacuum Hopper (Storage & Transfer Tank) is a specialized vessel designed for the enclosed storage and pneumatic transfer of powder and granular materials. Constructed from 304 or 316L stainless steel with mirror-polished interiors (Ra≤0.2μm), it prevents moisture ingress, eliminates dust emissions, and serves as a vacuum receiver for automated material handling. Widely used in pharmaceutical, food, chemical, and battery material applications, it supports custom volumes from 50L to 5000L+.
Key Advantages
Fully sealed construction prevents moisture ingress and dust emission. Protects hygroscopic materials from caking and maintains product purity in GMP-compliant environments.
Designed to serve as a receiving vessel for vacuum conveying systems. Enables automated loading and unloading of powders via negative pressure — eliminates manual handling and reduces labor costs.
Internal surfaces polished to Ra≤0.2μm (320# mirror finish) — prevents material adhesion, ensures easy cleaning, and eliminates contamination risks. External finish customizable (2B, brushed, or mirror).
Suitable for pharmaceutical APIs, food powders, chemicals, plastics, and battery materials. Handles materials like cocoa powder, molecular sieves, PE powders, and hygroscopic ingredients.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification / Options |
|---|---|
| Material Grade | SUS304 (general) / SUS316L (corrosion-resistant) — thickness customized per vacuum rating |
| Volume Capacity | 50L, 100L, 200L, 300L, 500L, 800L, 1000L, 2000L, 5000L (custom up to 30,000L) |
| Inner Surface Finish | Mirror polished (320#) — Ra≤0.2μm (standard for powder contact) |
| Outer Surface Finish | 2B original matte / Frosted brushed / Mirror finish (customizable) |
| Working Pressure | Negative pressure (vacuum) / Full vacuum rating available |
| Connection Type | Flanged / Tri-Clamp (sanitary) / Threaded — for vacuum conveying integration |
| Cleaning System | Optional CIP (Clean-in-Place) spray balls — automated cleaning without disassembly |
| Optional Accessories | Vacuum filter, level sensor, pressure gauge, discharge valve, agitator, heating/cooling jacket |
Material & Specification Guide:
SS304: General-purpose, cost-effective for most powders and granules.
SS316L: Superior corrosion resistance — ideal for acidic, alkaline, or high-purity applications (pharma, food).
Volume Selection: 50-200L for R&D and small-batch production; 300-1000L for medium-scale production; 1000-5000L+ for continuous large-scale manufacturing.
Surface Finish: Inner mirror polish (Ra≤0.2μm) prevents material adhesion and ensures complete discharge; outer finish customizable for facility aesthetics.
Non-standard sizes (e.g., 250L, 600L) and custom configurations are available upon request.
Applications
| Industry | Typical Materials |
|---|---|
| Pharmaceutical | APIs, excipients, intermediates, probiotics, sterile powders |
| Food & Beverage | Milk powder, cocoa powder, spices, food additives, flour, sugar |
| Chemical | Pigments, resins, fertilizers, molecular sieves, catalysts |
| Plastics | PE powder, PP granules, masterbatch, polymer additives |
| New Energy | Lithium battery cathode/anode powders (LFP, NCM, graphite) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the difference between a standard storage tank and a vacuum hopper?
A: A vacuum hopper is designed to withstand negative pressure (vacuum) — it has a reinforced structure to prevent implosion, vacuum-rated seals and gauges, and is typically used as a receiving vessel for vacuum conveying systems. A standard storage tank is atmospheric and not suitable for vacuum service or automated powder transfer.
Q2: How does the hopper integrate with a vacuum conveying system?
A: The hopper connects to the vacuum conveyor via a sealed inlet. When the vacuum pump creates negative pressure, materials are drawn from the pickup point (e.g., bag dumping station, IBC bin) into the hopper. A filter element at the top separates air from material, and a discharge valve at the bottom releases material to downstream equipment.
Q3: What surface finish is required for pharmaceutical and food applications?
A: For pharmaceutical and food applications, the internal surface must be mirror polished to Ra≤0.2μm (320# finish) — this prevents powder adhesion, eliminates crevices where bacteria could grow, and ensures easy cleaning. External finish is less critical but often specified as brushed or mirror for aesthetics and hygiene.
Q4: Can the hopper be used for hygroscopic or moisture-sensitive powders?
A: Yes. The fully sealed construction prevents moisture ingress from ambient air. For highly hygroscopic materials, we offer options for nitrogen purge and dry air blanketing to maintain an inert, low-humidity environment inside the hopper.
Q5: How do you clean the hopper between different products?
A: For quick product changeovers, the mirror-polished interior allows easy manual cleaning with a spray gun or cloth. For automated cleaning, we offer an optional CIP (Clean-in-Place) system with rotating spray balls that cover all internal surfaces — no disassembly required.
Need a custom stainless steel vacuum hopper for your powder storage and transfer needs?
Request a Quote → Download Datasheet (PDF)* Please specify your required volume (L), material grade (304/316L), internal finish, and any vacuum conveying integration requirements for a fast, accurate quotation.
