Pneumatic Conveying

Conveying Process
The pellcon3 process consists of Strandphase conveying in combination with Pellbow pipe bends and DeDuster systems. Strandphase is a conveying technology for gentle conveying of granular products. Moderate velocities prevent breakage and attrition of the conveyed product and keeps the generation of fines at a low level. It does not create fine micro-dust, seen in dense-phase systems, or long streamers, created in dilute-phase systems. Pellbow is a patented pipe elbow that prevents wear of the elbow and eliminates the creation of fines. A complete purge is accomplished simply by using the same conveying air volume and pressure. DeDuster is the dust removal unit that removes fines with remaining dust contents below 30PPM. Pelletron Corp., Lancaster, PA 717-293-4008 www.pelletroncorp.com

Pneumatic Line Magnet
IMI has improved the holding strength of its rare earth Bullet magnet. The new stripper collar – used to wipe metal contamination from the magnet - eliminates the loss of holding value experienced by similar magnets that incorporate a cleaning sleeve that covers the entire magnetic circuit. This addition has increased the ability to capture and hold metal fines and weakly magnetic steel by almost 30%. Ideal for dilute-phase pneumatic systems, typical Bullet magnet applications include processing of dry, powder, and granular materials. It can be used ahead of processing equipment and bulk load out to ensure product purity and protect machinery from tramp metal damage. The magnet stays on the door for cleaning, eliminating the dangers of handling a strong magnet weighing up to 200 lb. Industrial Magnetics Inc., Boyne City, MI 800-662-4638 www.magnetics.com

Dense-Phase Pneumatic Conveying System
The Dense Flow System differs from many of its competitors with the absence of air boosters along the pipeline. The system is able to achieve equal or greater results in many instances without the use of boosters. Some of the advantages to not having boosters are lower air consumption, lower installation costs, less maintenance, less “wear and tear” on the system, and less spare parts inventory. The system simplifies complex conveying problems. JDB Dense Flow Inc., Palm Harbor, FL 800-822-3569 www.jdbdenseflow.com

Dense-Phase Transporters
These transporters provide trouble-free dense-phase pneumatic conveying of hard-to-handle dry powder and granular materials. Capacities range from 0.5 to 1000 cu ft. Standard features include a smooth interior, a 60° cone, erosion allowances on wear surfaces, rack and pinion butterfly valve operator, a rotatable outlet, and a manway. The transporters are designed for pressures up to 90 PSIG and a temperature range of -20 to +650°F. Higher pressure and temperature ratings are an option, along with aeration jets, multiple inlets, and stainless steel construction. Pictured is a 5-cu-ft pre-assembled transporter. Pre-assembled units arrive in the field with valves, level control, aeration devices, air controls, and electrical controls all pre-piped and wired. This minimizes field labor, expedites the inspection process, and reduces start-up time. Nol-Tec Systems Inc., Lino Lakes, MN 651-780-8600 www.nol-tec.com

Pneumatic Conveying
ECO phase is a new design that improves the way material and air interact in the initial starting point of a pneumatic conveying system. This patent-pending process provides the efficiency, velocity, and transfer rates of a dense-phase system, yet can provide material on a continuous basis like a dilute-phase system, and uses a standard PD blower package to save energy costs when compared to the two traditional types of pneumatic conveying. Smoot, Kansas City, KS 800-748-7000 www.magnumsystems.com

Dense-Phase Pneumatic Conveying Systems
These pneumatic conveying systems handle a wide range of materials and bulk densities at rates from 500 lb/hr to 450 tn/hr, over distances to 6000 ft. Each system is custom-designed from one of 16 different conveying concepts to provide a conveying solution that fits the process. One conveying concept, the Full-Line Concept system, has advantages over the more traditional dense-phase concepts with regard to degradation and energy consumption. In addition, it is clean and totally enclosed and can be fully automated to convey to packaging or process bins. Few moving parts are utilized, as the prime mover is standard plant compressed air at 100 PSIG. Cross contamination is never an issue as the conveying line can be purged clean when switching between materials.  Dynamic Air Inc., St. Paul, MN 651-484-2900 www.dynamicair.com

Vacuum Conveyors
Fully-pneumatic, the C Series features tool-free dismantling and easy cleaning. The hygienic conveyors are ideal for a variety of food processing applications, including moving materials like coffee beans, blending ingredients, loading and unloading mixers or blenders, and transporting large quantities of fresh ingredients into packaging machinery without causing damage in the process. Powered by pneumatically driven vacuum pumps, these vacuum conveyor systems safely and quietly transport up to 7 tn/hr of powders and granules in virtually any food industry environment. They are made of stainless steel AISI 316L and can cope with the most demanding circumstances. The filter design can trap particles down to 0.3 microns and can be equipped with a HEPA filter.  Piab USA Inc., Hingham, MA 800-321-7422 www.piab.com

Vacuum Conveyors
These vacuum conveyors are ideal for long distance conveying applications and over torturous routes. The system is easy to route, has few moving parts, is dust-tight in operation, and empties product leaving minimum residue. Typical throughput rates are 10 tn/hr at distances of 330 ft that can be exceeded depending on the material being conveyed. Vacuum conveyors are well suited for toxic or otherwise hazardous materials since air is sucked-in and, in the event of accidental damage to the conveying tubes, prevents product escape to the atmosphere. These conveyors usually are the only way to suck material out of tubs or other open-top conveyors such as kegs and drums and are also ideal for applications with multiple inlets. Reverse jet self-cleaning filters clean the conveying air that is returned to the atmosphere after use, reduces maintenance, and minimizes product loss. An operator uses a ‘wand’ to suck product out of tubs that is transferred to a mixer after passing through an in-line sifter. Spiroflow Systems Inc., Monroe, NC 704-291-9595 www.spiroflowsystems.com

Bulk Bag Pneumatic Weigh Batch System
This in-line pneumatic batching system allows simultaneous weigh batching of major ingredients supplied in bulk bags and manual dumping of pre-weighed minor ingredients, and blending of the material while a subsequent batch is accumulated. Bulk bag dischargers are mounted on load cells, allowing loss-of-weight batching from either or both bulk bags. A system controller starts and stops each discharger’s rotary airlock valve to weigh ingredients, first at high feed rate for rapid filling, then at trickle feed rate, stopping material flow once the accurate batch weight has been discharged. The system software allows mid-batch bag changes. Minor, pre-weighed ingredients are added at the manual dumping station that collects dust generated during dumping activities. The dilute-phase, vacuum conveyor line terminates at a filter receiver (not shown) that accumulates the batch before discharging it through a slide gate valve into a blender, allowing concurrent batching and blending of materials, cutting cycle times by half. Flexicon Corp., Bethlehem, PA 888-353-9426 www.flexicon.com

Mini Disk Fluidizer
The new two-in.-diam Mini Disk silo fluidizer, with exclusive Radial Ridge Design, fits in pipes, chutes, and small hoppers for more pneumatic conveying options. This disk provides all of the features of the company’s standard fluidizers that prevent bridging, rat-holing, and compacting in silos, bins, and hoppers. The Mini Disk fits in tight curvature chambers with diameters as small as 4 in. The compact size provides material handling engineers and designers with more pneumatic conveying options due to the Mini Disk’s compact size. A patent application on the new product is pending. Solimar Pneumatics, Minneapolis, MN 800-233-7109 www.solimarpneumatics.com

Dual-Blower Railcar Unload System
The Vacuum-Pressure Rail Unload System pneumatically conveys powder, pellet, and granular material from railcars at conveying rates in excess of 100,000 lb/hr. Using separate vacuum and pressure blowers, the system unloads material from the railcar at higher conveying rates and for longer conveying distances. A vacuum blower draws material from the railcar to a self-cleaning filter receiver that separates the product from the conveying air. Mounted below the receiver is an Aerolock rotary valve that meters the product into the pressure side of the system for final delivery to storage. Dual-blower systems are available in 3- to 10-in. line sizes and include a control panel, properly-sized blowers, railcar adapter kit, and hoses. K-Tron, Salina, KS 785-825-1611 www.ktron.com

Custom Pneumatic Conveying Systems
Vac-U-Max offers custom pneumatic conveying systems and support equipment for conveying, vacuum conveying, batching, and weighing materials. These systems move product gently and quickly from point to point, with nothing in the way to impede efficiency. Vac-U-Max, Belleville, NJ 800-822-8629 www.vac-u-max.com

Versatile Cast Aluminum Pneumatic Blowers
Design 38 cast aluminum pressure blowers utilize high-strength aluminum alloys to create strong, corrosion-resistant housings and wheels designed for adverse industrial conveying environments. Since aluminum is non-magnetic and non-toxic, the blowers are recommended for both electronic and food-related applications. The non-sparking properties qualify the blowers for AMCA Type B spark-resistant rating. Design 38 cast aluminum pressure blowers are offered in eight sizes from 8 to 18 ½ in. in combination with 64 different radial or backward curved wheels. They produce flows to 5000 CFM, static pressures to 20 in. wg, and have been performance verified in an AMCA accredited lab. Chicago Blower Corp., Glendale Heights, IL 630-858-2600 www.chicagoblower.com

Vacuum Conveyors
These new conveyors optimize material flow from the supply side to the downstream packaging operation. When used with a level-controlled buffer hopper, Multijector vacuum conveyors safely transport powders, granules, pellets, capsules, tablets, and other bulk materials under vacuum. This transport can supply packaging lines, mixers, filling machines, tablet presses, or any other kind of process equipment or vessel (containers, silos, etc.) on demand. This interactive, enclosed transfer system has advantages over conventional mechanical transport technologies - most notably in the transfer of traditionally difficult and sensitive powders. The cyclic vacuum plug flow conveying arrangement of the Multijector conveyors avoids product separation or segregation and is certified as explosion proof by ATEX. They can transfer from as little as 10 lb/hr to 6 tn/hr over distances up to 200 ft, all in dust-free, operator-friendly, and healthy conditions. Volkmann Inc., Hainesport, NJ 609-265-0101 www.volkmannusa.com

Vacuum and Pressure Power Units
The Pressure Power Unit creates a positive pressure to push air and the products it’s conveying, through a piping system for your process. These units are used to convey products over longer distances and with higher throughput than vacuum pressure units. Full size and compact units are available to meet specific needs. Features include: properly sized air inlet filter; two silencers - inlet & discharge; pressure relief valve; pressure gauge or vacuum gauge; powder coated carbon steel support frame; properly sized pump and motor for maximum distance with minimal impact to ingredients. O.A. Newton, Bridgeville, DE 302-337-3778 www.oanewton.com

Heavy-Duty Polyurethane Food-Grade Hose
Tigerflex Series 2020S is a heavy-duty polyurethane food-grade material handling hose. It features an anti-static liner that is permanently static dissipative, designed to work well in both humid and dry climates. The hose features fabric reinforcement, embedded grounding wire in the rigid helix to prevent contamination, transparent construction, cold weather flexibility, and an easy slide outer helix for easier handling. Kuriyama of America Inc., Schaumburg, IL 847-755-0360 www.kuriyama.com

Pulse-Jet Receivers
These Receivers use compressed-air pulse-jet cleaning of filter media to keep pneumatic conveying systems running plug free and in compliance with air quality standards. Receivers are available in AVR side bag removal or ART top bag removal models. Both are built for high-pressure/vacuum operation and can be ordered with standard round or optional rectangular tangential inlets. The lower hopper sections can be customized to suit the flow characteristics of specific bulk materials. The receivers are available individually and as part of integrated pneumatic conveying systems that are designed to streamline dilute-phase handling of dry bulk solids. Airlanco, Falls City, NE 800-500-9777 www.airlanco.com

Semi-Dense Phase Conveyors
HC Series semi-dense phase conveyors offer a new range of high-capacity semi-dense phase pneumatic conveying for single or multiple ingredients. They are designed to handle materials that are abrasive and fluidizable. Standard units have conveying capacities up to 80 tn/hr and more, depending on model and application. The conveyors can be used for bulk bag, railcar, and trailer unloading and in-plant transfer. Equipped with optional load cells, they can weigh and batch and provide inventory control. They use only positive air pressure for both vacuum loading and pressurized conveying, and Cyclonaire makes high-efficiency medium-pressure blower packages specifically tailored to the job.  Cyclonaire Corp., York, NE 888-593-6241 www.cyclonaire.com

Couplings, Tube & Pipe Bends
Lorenz Couplings are available in either quick release T-Handle models for frequent access or bolted models for more permanent applications. Quick Release couplings are manufactured of 100% stainless steel. Bolted models are available in either galvanized or stainless steel. Lorenz Tube & Pipe Bending service insures quick delivery on long radius bends in aluminum, stainless steel, carbon steel, and galvanized. Fittings, reducers, tube & pipe straights, flex hose, and camlocks are also available.  Lorenz Conveying Products, Toronto, ON, Canada 800-263-7782 www.lorenz.ca