Pneumatic Conveying Systems

Design of Pneumatic Conveying Systems

Mathematical models, test data, or a combination of both may be used to design a pneumatic conveying system. If mathematical models are to be used, some level of assurance regarding their fitness for a certain purpose, such as transmitting a specific material under precisely defined conditions, must be established before they are used. System design makes heavy use of test results. This information may have come from a testing facility or from sharing experience from a real plant.

However, it is crucial that the data pertain to the same grade of material that the new plant design is needed for. The data must also be supplied for a conveying line’s marginally lower level of intake air velocity and a marginally higher level of solids loading ratio than those considered for the new design. Existing data should never be scaled beyond limitations of known transmitting.

Structure and Functionality of Pneumatic Conveying Systems

The bulk materials are moved via pneumatic conveying equipment and a pipeline. A material insertion point, pipes, receiving point, and an air-flow movement device are common system components; nevertheless, the precise nature and capacity of a system vary from model to model.

Pneumatic conveying system pipes are adaptable and may be routed around machinery, allowing them to be installed in existing locations. A practical, affordable method of moving products from point A to point B, well-designed pneumatic conveying systems are more efficient than competing mechanical systems.

A pneumatic system is an industrial conveyor system that can travel large distances vertically or horizontally and provides protection from dust emissions into the air. Comparatively speaking, mechanical conveying systems, maintenance, equipment, and operating costs are decreased.

Pneumatic Conveying Methods

The materials are moved using air streams, either vacuum or pressure, and there are three main types of pneumatic conveyor methods: dense phase, dilute phase, and air conveying. These methods operate in relation to, and in accordance with, the specific velocities, pressures, and air to commodity ratios within the system.

Continuous, high velocity, low pressure, and high air-to commodity-loading ratio processes are used in dilute phase conveying. Pulling or pushing material through an airstream at a certain speed helps the process. Positive pressure, vacuum (negative pressure), or a combination of the two can be used to build the system.

Pneumatic conveying systems operate without exposing the materials being moved to moving parts because they are enclosed. Pressure systems input compressed air at the insertion or system inlet to force materials through, while pneumatic vacuum systems administer a vacuum at the receiving end to pull the material through the enclosed pipes.

Considerations When Choosing Pneumatic Conveying Systems

The considerations include:

• Particle size shape and distribution
• Air humidity
• Moisture content
• Concentration
• System throughput
• System distance
• Angles of flow, repose, and slip
• Density
• Fluidization
• Hardness / Friability
• Temperature

Areas of Application of Pneumatic Conveying Systems

Services provided by pneumatic conveying systems involve complete system engineering for systems applications like start-up service, full-scale material testing, spare parts and field service.They also convey difficult-to-handle material such as abrasive, attrition-sensitive or fragile products. Innovative feeder-control algorithms featuring second-to-second accurate performance can be applied even in aggressive plant environments. They also provide an extensive line of mechanisms for applications in the chemical, plastics, mineral, pet food, food and pharmaceutical process industries while offering solutions for applications in very high sanitary demands and according to government specifications and customers.

Advantages of Pneumatic Conveying Systems

The advantages are as follows:

• A pneumatic conveying system allows greater versatility than a mechanical conveying system because it may be compatible with existing equipment due to the small nature of the conveying pipe’s transfer line.
• These systems can cover a large distance running either horizontally or vertically.
• Due to the enclosure of the system, both the delivered material and dust emission to the atmosphere are protected from outside contaminants.
• Because they have fewer moving components than mechanical conveying systems, pneumatic conveying systems can be simpler and more cost-effective to maintain.
• They maintain a capacity to keep the environment around the substance under control.
• They reduce abrasive material wearing on the system and fragile materials damage.
• These systems are easier to find because they occupy less floor space.
• Various pick-up and discharge points are possible.