Pneumatic Conveying Spotlight - April 09

Vacuum Pneumatic Conveyor
The MiniVac features easy side access for filter inspection and changeover. It provides efficient operation by retaining product within the process through the use of a regenerative blower and an adjustable pulse-jet filter-cleaning system. The entire package is compact and lightweight, yet heavy-duty in design with performance capacity ranging from 800 to 5000 lb/hr. Units can be easily disassembled for cleaning and are available in standard industrial, sanitary, and pharmaceutical models. Discharge options include intermittent pneumatic-operated gate valves, slide valves, and rotary valves for continuous transfer.
Hapman, Kalamazoo, MI 800-427-6260 www.ideasthatmove.com

Vacuum Conveyor Systems
With complete stainless-steel construction, all product contact areas of these conveyors are Type 316L with a polished surface for ease of cleaning and product flow. The vacuum receivers allow for quick take-apart without tools. Systems range from simple up-and-in systems to more-complex PLC-based multiingredient handling systems that incorporate batch weighing.
Vac-U-Max, Belleville, NJ 973-759-4600 www.vac-u-max.com

Vacuum Loaders and Conveying Receivers
Two series of loaders and receivers for vacuum conveying systems resist wear and require minimal maintenance in conveying fine or dusty powder materials. VLP series loaders and VRP series receivers have stainless-steel interiors for scratch resistance. They prevent dust from entering vacuum lines by means of Teflon-coated, spun-bonded polyester filter elements that require less maintenance and entail less production downtime than bag filters. Atop each loader and receiver is a lid secured by quick-release band clamps, which require no tools, for access to the filters. Incoming material is deflected from the filters by means of an internal flapper check valve with a seal that prevents blowback from traveling back into material lines.
Novatec Inc., Baltimore, MD 410-789-4811 www.novatec.com

Three-Way Diverter
The patent-pending, Quantum Series 3-Way Wye Line diverter is specifically engineered to handle dry bulk solids in pneumatic conveying systems with vacuum or positive pressure up to 15 psig. Available in 2–6-in. pipe or tube, it can direct dry bulk material from one source to three destinations or converge from three sources to one destination. It provides positive shutoff of air and material, minimizes cross-contamination, and eliminates material buildup beyond the closed port. A wide variety of accessories and modifications for the diverter are available to accommodate high or low temperatures, corrosive, humid, and hazardous environments.
Vortex Valves North America, Salina, KS 785-825-7177 www.vortexvalves.com

Vacuum Conveying Systems
This company now offers both positive pressure and vacuum pneumatic conveying equipment with virtually no limitation on capacity, product type, distance, or routing. Pneuvac vacuum conveying systems are ideal for long distance conveying and where product degradation is a concern. Capabilities include vacuum conveying of up to 6000 lb/hr of material at distances up to 300 ft. This makes them well suited for rapid discharging of material from road or rail tankers into silos, or for the transfer of product from bulk bags, hoppers, or silos to production processes. They assure dust-free operation since the product is conveyed under vacuum within the conveying line and any leakage is into, rather than out of, the conveyor. This makes the equipment especially suitable for transferring hazardous materials and
pharmaceutical preparations.
Spiroflow Systems Inc., Charlotte, NC 704-291-9595 www.spiroflowsystems.com

Magnets
Air-Vey magnets are designed to remove ferrous contaminants from products in dilute-phase pneumatic conveying systems operating at 15 psi or less. These units are used to ensure product purity and protect process equipment. The flow-through area of the housing is engineered to maintain the same product velocity with no appreciable drop in pressure. The magnets install easily in horizontal, vertical, or angled positions with compression type couplings or can be welded in place.
Puritan Magnetics Inc., Oxford, MI 248-628-3808 www.puritanmagnetics.com

Custom-Designed Pneumatic Conveying Systems
Dry, granular materials can be moved gently, reliably, and with reduction in product degradation and system wear with these pneumatic conveying systems. Each unit is custom-designed to achieve the optimum performance characteristics at the highest efficiencies. The company has developed 16 different pneumatic conveying concepts, utilizing both pressure and vacuum, for handling a wide variety of dry bulk solids. These customized systems provide a conveying solution that fits the process perfectly.
Dynamic Air Inc., St. Paul, MN 651-484-2900 www.dynamicair.com

Powder and Pellet Receivers
These 2400-series powder and pellet receivers provide a high-capacity sequencing system designed to handle powder, pellet, regrind, and granular materials. Each receiver has a stainless-steel check valve that allows multiple receivers to draw material from a common conveying line. Various models are available in carbon steel, stainless steel, or aluminum. All 2400-series models feature a rugged design and quick-connect clamps for easy cleaning and filter maintenance. Convey rates up to 15,000 lb/hr are possible. For sanitary solutions, P-series receivers provide a custom solution for difficult conveying applications. Main design features include modular construction, step cone angles, and band clamps for quick disassembly. Convey rates up to 9000 lb/hr are possible.
K-Tron Process Group/K-Tron Premier, Salina, KS 785-825-1611 www.ktronprocessgroup.com

Sanitary Bag Dump Station
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 washdown. Similarly, a stainless rotary airlock valve at the hopper discharge is equipped with integral support rails that allow the rotor assembly to separate from the valve body. This allows for the sanitizing of all material contact surfaces, and closes securely in seconds, without tools.
Flexicon Corp., Bethlehem, PA 888-353-9426 www.flexicon.com

Pneumatic Line Magnet
From the framework of its drawer-in-housing platform, this company offers the Pneumatic Line Housing (PLH). Instead of a single, center-flow cartridge circuit, the PLH incorporates a series of 1-in.-diam 50 MgOe rare earth tubes that ensure all product has repeated contact with the magnets. The resulting capture rate of ferrous and weakly magnetic stainless contaminants is higher than with previous designs. Ideal for dilute-phase pneumatic systems, applications include processing of dry, powder, and granular materials. It can be used ahead of processing equipment and bulk load-out stations to ensure product purity and protect machinery from tramp metal damage.
Industrial Magnetics Inc., Boyne City, MI 231-348-5730 www.magnetics.com

Pneumatic Conveying System
The Ultra-Veyor moves grain and bulk solids by air, which maximizes accessibility for any drying, storage, and manufacturing facility. The system moves bulk solids safer and easier, with minimal maintenance, and with all the working components in one central location. The unit can handle the requirements of most operations with models ranging from 400 to 2100 bu/hr. These systems are flexible, expandable, and easy to install. Custom conveying systems are available.
Walinga Inc., Guelph, ON, Canada 888-925-4642 www.walinga.com

Pressure Dense-Phase Systems
Pressure dense-phase systems can convey materials long distances, to multiple destinations, and at rates of more than 100 tn/hr. Despite their high capacity, these systems are ideal for fragile powders and agglomerated materials, because the low conveying velocity prevents degradation and segregation. A variety of accessories and techniques enable engineers to design systems that are energy efficient, easy to clean, and optimized to the specific application and materials. Product testing is offered that replicates the piping in the facility and the materials to be conveyed. USDA-dairy and other food-grade
specifications are available.
Nu-Con Equipment, Chanhassen, MN 877-939-0510 www.nucon.com

Dense-Phase Pneumatic Conveying Systems
These dense-phase pneumatic conveying systems utilize small amounts of high-pressure low-velocity air to gently transfer controlled slugs of dry powdered or granular materials through enclosed convey lines. The systems minimize component wear and reduce product breakage, degradation, and segregation. They are ideal for abrasive, fragile, friable, or mixed-batch materials. The exclusive air management system enhances efficiency by injecting air into the convey line via strategically placed air assists. This technology lowers overall resistance, decreases air pressure requirements, and improves material flow.
Nol-Tec Systems Inc., Lino Lakes, MN 651-780-8600 www.nol-tec.com