Pneumatic conveying is a method of moving bulk dry materials from point A to B using suction. Using a network of pipelines, the material is picked up and transported using either dense phase conveying or dilute phase pneumatic conveying. The materials are blown around a system of supply lines, arriving in a vacuum receiver.
There are two principal methods of pneumatic conveying. Dense phase conveying is slow moving and is the ideal choice for friable products or mixed powders, while dilute phase systems blast an equal mix of air and powder through the system and are perfect for conveying products like sugar and flour.
You don’t need to be an expert to use this simple and highly efficient technology in your business.
Designing the right vacuum system for your materials
The heavier the materials you’re moving around the system, the more power and larger vacuum receivers you’ll require. Very fine powders present different challenges as you’ll need extra filtration to deal with the problems dust can pose. You’ll also need to consider the distance the dry materials will be travelling as well as whether the operation will be continuous or batched.
If you’re conveying a very fine powder or a hazardous material, you should use a vacuum system such as the one at http://www.aptech.uk.com/pneumatic-conveying-systems/vacuum-conveying/ to ensure that any potentially hazardous leaks are drawn inwards to prevent a potentially toxic dust cloud.
It’s crucial that all equipment works seamlessly together to keep the system working at maximum efficiency. For example, the vacuum receiver must be sized to handle the airflow from the vacuum source, while filters must be accurately sized so they don’t shred or bind, preventing material from entering the supply line.
The advantages of a vacuum system
One of the major advantages of a vacuum system is that it can handle dry materials without generating dust that can cause environmental health issues. Because of the small footprint and relatively few moving parts in a vacuum system, they’re easy to maintain, and repair and will take up virtually no space in your manufacturing facility.
These types of system are also lightweight and easy to install, and their flexibility means the narrow lines can be installed just about anywhere. Highly efficient, clean and with low power consumption, a pneumatic conveying system will keep your dry goods moving without downtime.