Due to its fine particle size and relative light weight, handling ingredients like diatomaceous earth can be exceptionally difficult. Prone to sticking, clumping, or bridging, it can easily clog filters, bins, or conveyor lines. Diatomaceous earth’s unique properties must be considered when selecting methods of material storage, conditioning, conveying, emptying, and dispensing.
Diatomaceous Earth Attributes
Toxicity
Low
High
Abrasiveness
soft
hard
Friable
Solid
delicate
Combustible
Low
High
Flowability
free-flowing
poor
Hygroscopic
not
high
Bulk Density (lb/CF)
light
heavy
particle Size
Coarse
fine
Diatomaceous Earth Handling: Overview
A type of crystalline silica made from pulverized sedimentary rock, diatomaceous earth comes in many forms, including pellets, particles, or powder. In its powdered form, this naturally occurring ingredient has a high surface area and light density. It is an ingredient used in a range of beverage and food grade filtration applications and in many industrial applications. Whether it’s used in manufacturing of personal products, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, or beverage filtration diatomaceous earth powder’s unique characteristics require special material handling solutions. It is prone to producing high amounts of dust, which is a carcinogen. AZO’s engineering team carefully considers each of these factors to ensure the design of a diatomaceous earth handling system is safe, reliable, and dust free.
Diatomaceous Earth Handling: Common Challenges
Proper handling and conditioning of diatomaceous earth is necessary to prevent sticking and clogging.
Proper handling and conditioning of diatomaceous earth is necessary to prevent sticking and clogging.
Manufacturers must contain diatomaceous earth dust.
Manufacturers must contain diatomaceous earth dust.
The high volumes of dust generated by diatomaceous earth powder is both an explosion risk and a personnel hazard. Explosion protection requires containment or venting to the outside of the facility. Diatomaceous earth dust is a carcinogen and, if not captured, creates an unsafe working environment for personnel. Every bulk ingredient handling system for diatomaceous earth must incorporate explosion protection and dust mitigation equipment to protect an operation and its employees.
Food manufacturers using diatomaceous earth must meet hygiene and food safety requirements.
Food manufacturers using diatomaceous earth must meet hygiene and food safety requirements.
Product safety is a critical concern for food manufacturers when using diatomaceous earth, as contamination can not only affect quality, but also pose risks to consumers. Storing, dosing, weighing, or conveying the bulk dry ingredients used in diatomaceous earth is only the first step. Processors of diatomaceous earth must also employ proper hygienic handling practices from the mixer to the packaging lines. Regular sanitation steps — such as wipe downs — are required to eliminate cross-contamination risks, verify cleanliness, and prevent allergen cross-contact.