The destructive effect of fine fractions of soybean meal in transport processes

Soybean meal is one of the most popular components of compound feed. The rise of its demand in the world causes a constant interest in this cargo and to conduct research in different directions. This is related to its inherent properties, and to the continuous changes that occur in it. Soybean meal is a solid bulk cargo. Loose soybean meal, apart from larger particles, also contains fine and dusty/ powdery fractions, which create the risk of explosion and environmental pollution. The problem of protecting the environment against dusting of fine fractions of soybean meal is very important in the cargo handling processes. An additional aspect is the destructive effect of powdery fractions during these processes. The results of the research on the degrading effect of fine fractions of soybean meal and its compounds on the means of transshipments were presented. Due to the interaction of esters and other compounds contained in the soybean meal, the research has the implications for the changes in the properties of the rubber elements of the elevator conveyor. The effect of these changes may be the reduced durability of the conveyor belts and the associated risks such as operational failures.