A pneumatic conveyor is a highly efficient alternative to traditional mechanical conveyors with exposed moving parts. It excels in handling fine particles and can transport them at a faster rate. This makes it an ideal option for powder handling, especially since it has no moving parts for the powder to get caught in along the way.
Many bulk material handling systems utilize pneumatic conveyors due to their effectiveness, affordability, and cleanliness. The fully enclosed design greatly minimizes dust and waste during transfer compared to other conveyors. Without a fully enclosed system, it can be challenging to prevent contamination during processing.
Pneumatic conveyors require several components, including an air compressor that generates pressurized air and a bin vent filter that removes dust when materials enter or exit the conveyor. The system’s layout is crucial, as it can be customized to avoid obstacles and efficiently move material through the facility. Dilute phase conveyors and dense phase conveyors are two sub-types of pneumatic conveying systems, each with its own unique advantages and ideal uses.
Dilute phase conveying is typically used for fine materials, while dense phase conveying is better suited for heavier or abrasive materials. Both positive and negative pressure can be used for dilute phase conveying, with closed-loop conveyors being particularly useful for handling hazardous materials. Dense phase conveying, on the other hand, deals with heavier materials and requires lower velocities and higher pressures.