Simultaneous Metered Blending combines the high volume production capacity of the ILB with the operating flexibility of an ABB. It adapts the flow measuring techniques of the ABB, but instead of blending in a kettle, the components are sent through a header (similar to the ILB) to designated storage tanks for mixing. In this respect, the SMB is the simplest means of blending, and is most appropriate for less automated plants.

The SMB is designed to simultaneously measure liquids with a flow meter and moves these known quantities, in the correct ratio, through a header. The system applies a product feed piping network, optionally separated by family groups. The concept is deceivingly similar to an ABB/ILB combination with two main differences-- the SMB does not require a kettle (as in the ABB design) or an in-line mixer (ILB design). Instead the header(s) direct the output to storage tanks, usually dedicated for a specific blend. All tanks must be equipped with mixers to blend the product into a homogenous state once all the components have been charged into the tank.

SIMULTANEOUS METERED BLENDING ADVANTAGES

• Mass flow measurement
• Efficient for any blend size--limited only to size of destination tank
• Accuracy not limited by batch size
• Minimum contamination with pigging and purging
• Short set-up time--only drum line set-up time is required
• Simultaneous product loading speeds blends
• No cocktailing
• Can be operated as an in-line blender with some formulas