Pneumatic Conveying 1759

April 12, 2011

10 Min Read
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JDB Dense Flow Inc.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

Buhler Inc.Conveying Systems
Conveying systems are offered for nearly every application – powdered as well as granular materials – including line diverters (switches), airlocks (air seals), dust collectors (filters), and separators. Buhler manufactures and supplies all components required for an entire pneumatic system. Pressure or suction conveyors use rotary airlocks or pressure vessels for material feeding. They can handle everything from conventional and simple to sticky and fragile materials. Typical applications include flour, sugar, feed formulations, high-fat milk powder, paint and ink pigments, pellets, malt, roasted hazelnuts, coffee beans, ground coffee, cement, or pearled carbon black. As traditional pressure systems are used for simple products, low-velocity transport is available for fragile materials. Buhler Inc., Plymouth, MN 763-847-9900 www.buhlergroup.com

Smoot Company, Inc.Pneumatic Conveying System
ECO phase is a new design that improves the way material and air interact in the initial starting point of a pneumatic conveying system. Using a new patent-pending process, the system 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 deliver savings in energy cost when compared to the two traditional types of pneumatic conveying. Smoot Company, Inc., Kansas City, KS 800-748-7000 www.magnumsystems.com

Pelletron Corp.Conveying Process
Any pneumatic conveying system creates friction and, as a result, dust. One economical answer to minimizing this dust is the use of the pellcon3 process. This technology consists of Strandphase conveying in combination with Pellbow pipe bends and DeDuster systems. This three-component combination results in high-quality plastic pellets with a low investment, and existing plants can be upgraded to this new process with moderate investment. Pelletron Corp., Lancaster, PA 717-293-4008 www.pelletroncorp.com

Volkmann Inc.Vacuum Conveyors
When used with a level-controlled buffer hopper, advanced Multijector VS Series 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, old-fashioned, 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. In addition, building on the available European ATEX explosion safety certificates for all Multijector vacuum conveyors, the units are ideal for potential explosion-proof areas (powders and gases). Volkmann Inc., Hainesport, NJ 609-265-0101 www.volkmannusa.com

Spiroflow Systems Inc.Long-Distance 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. The 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. Spiroflow Systems Inc., Monroe, NC 704-291-9595 www.spiroflowsystems.com

Nu-Con EquipmentPneumatic Conveying Systems
Complete material handling systems can be engineered and manufactured to specific needs for sanitation, speed, and capacity. The systems are energy efficient, easy to clean, and utilize state-of-the-art technology to ensure consistent performance, safety, and reliability. Product testing that replicates the piping in your facility, and the materials you want to convey, are offered. Industries served include chemical, dairy, food, pharmaceutical, plastics, and more. Nu-Con Equipment, Chanhassen, MN 877-939-0510 www.nucon.com

Flexicon Corp.Sanitary Bag Dump Station for Pneumatic Conveying Systems
This sanitary bag dump station for pneumatic conveying systems collects dust created during manual dumping of bulk materials from bags, boxes, drums, and other containers, and allows rapid, tool-free wash down. Optional rocker arms support the hood assembly above the hopper rim, eliminating the need for operators to lift and remove the hood during cleaning and inspection. A stainless rotary airlock valve with integral support rails allows the rotor assembly to separate from the valve body for sanitizing of material contact surfaces, also without tools. A high-velocity vacuum fan draws airborne dust from the operator’s atmosphere onto two cartridge filters. Automatic reverse-pulse filter cleaning allows continuous, efficient operation; timed blasts of compressed plant air inside cartridge filters causes dust build-up on outer filter surfaces to fall into the hopper. Flexicon Corp., Bethlehem, PA 888-353-9426 www.flexicon.com

HapmanLightweight Pneumatic Conveyor
MiniVac integral regenerative blower technology can reduce the need for plant air supply and reduce energy costs by up to 30 percent. It can reduce labor with tool-less, side-door access for filter changes and cleaning. The conveyor eliminates the need for separate dust collection with an internal filter that operates at top efficiency using standard reverse-pulse cleaning. Discharge options include a rotary valve, dump gate, or slide gate. Side-door access eliminates the need for additional installation access height. Hapman, Kalamazoo, MI 800-427-6260 www.hapman.com

Dynamic Air Inc.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 many advantages over the more traditional dense-phase concepts with regard to degradation and energy consumption. In addition, the Full-Line Concept system is clean and totally enclosed and can be fully automated to convey to packaging or process bins. Very 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

Kuriyama of America Inc.Heavy-Duty Polyurethane Food-Grade Hose
Tigerflex Series 2020S is a heavy-duty polyurethane food-grade material handling hose. The hose features an anti-static liner that is permanently static dissipative, and 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

Vac-U-MaxVacuum Conveying Equipment and Systems
Vacuum conveying equipment and systems are designed for the food, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries. Construction of sanitary equipment is USDA Accepted. The vacuum conveyors range in convey rates from 500 to 5000 lb/hr and beyond. Designed for free- and non-free-flowing powders they can be equipped for use with any application, including loading tablet press machines, mix tanks, and blenders. Vac-U-Max, Belleville, NJ 973-759-4600 www.vac-u-max.com


National Bulk Equipment Inc.Highly Corrosive Pneumatic Conveying
Specially treated to transfer a highly corrosive, granular material, this pneumatic conveying system uses integrated automation to minimize human exposure to the material and to optimize process efficiency with the upstream bulk bag unloading system. To reduce wear, the pneumatic conveying system is constructed of specially coated stainless steel tubing and components, process-critical components, and valves are Teflon coated. Pneumatically conveyed material is transferred to the downstream wetting process, in batches, based on calls from weigh system sensors. Total system capacity exceeds 9500 lb/hr. National Bulk Equipment Inc., Holland, MI 616-399-2220 www.nbe-inc.com

MAC EquipmentContinuous Dense-Phase Pneumatic Conveying System
The E-finity is a low-breakage, energy-efficient continuous dense-phase pneumatic conveying system that is ideal for fragile products. Common applications include nuts, cereal, pasta, grains, and pet food. The E-finity offers an air control package that reduces air requirements, allows lower HP motors, and can operate multiple conveying systems from a single air source. The system is clean, safe, and efficient for dry material handling. MAC Equipment, Kansas City, MO 800-821-2476 www.macspacesaver.com


Cyclonaire Corp.Gravity Conveyor
Easy-to-use and easy-to-maintain, the Air Shoot safely moves dry, fluidizable materials on a low-pressure, air-activated gravity conveyor. Materials – including cement, fly ash, hydrated lime, PVC resin, and more – move through the Air Shoot in a near horizontal plane with little change in elevation, which is ideal for spaces where minimal vertical height poses obstacles. After the material dispenses into the Air Shoot, gravity and a supply of blower air quickly transfer it to the next location at a shallow angle of flow. Support grating and a clean air plenum within the conveyor work to ensure quality and limit waste. Cyclonaire Corp., York, NE 888-593-6241 www.cyclonaire.com

Vortex Valves North AmericaOrifice Gate
Eliminate production inefficiencies and frequent valve maintenance with the patent-pending Quantum Series orifice gate, a valve designed specifically to handle dry bulk solids in gravity flow, dilute-phase, or vacuum conveying applications. The valve features a full-flange, weather-resistant design with improved sealing performance, higher durability, easier maintenance, and fewer replacement parts. The blade and seal design allows the valve to “self-clean” on the opening stroke, which prevents material from packing on the valve’s internal seals. Sizes range from 2 to 14 in. Vortex Valves North America, Salina, KS 785-825-7177 www.vortexvalves.com

Gardner Denver Inc.Vacuum System
Cleanliness, safety, and pneumatic conveying can be increased with an Engineered Vacuum System powered by a Hoffman or Lamson multistage centrifugal exhauster. Complete system design is available, including cartridge or bag pulse-jet collectors, along with industrial grade genuine Hoffman and Lamson hose, tools, tubing, and fittings. The system can also be also used in combustible dust control, OSHA compliance, bulk pick-up, and flux recovery applications. Hoffman/Lamson, Quincy, IL 217-222-5400 www.HoffmanandLamson.com

Progressive ProductsAirlock Valves
The SD line consists of heavy-duty, cast iron construction valves for use in pneumatic conveying and bulk material handling applications. The inner surfaces are precision-machined with tight tolerances to prevent tapering in the bore for a tight, effective air seal (for up to 15 psi, other pressures are available). The factory-set compression-type u-cup seal design requires no in-field adjustments and the valves are maintenance free, unlike standard packing-gland seal designs. All airlocks come factory equipped with relieved-tip rotors, metal drive guard construction, and tapped endplates, so a seal purge can be installed at any time. Progressive Products, Pittsburg, KS 888-235-1732 www.airlocks.co

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