Air blaster

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An air blaster or air cannon is a de-

clogging device composed of two main
elements: a pressure vessel (storing air
pressure) and a triggering mechanism
(high speed release of compressed air).
They are permanently installed on silos,
bins and hoppers walls for all powdery
forms of materials, and are used to
prevent caking and allowing maximum
storage capacity. They are also used in the
entertainment industry for shock value in
Halloween haunts and other attractions.

Air blasters do not need any specific air

supply. Available plant air is enough with a
minimum of 4 bar air pressure (60 psi or
400 kPa), although 5 to 6 bar are preferred
for better results (75 to 90 psi). The
average air consumption is moderate, and
depends on the number of firings per hour,
size of the pressure vessel, and number of
air cannons installed. For instance, a 50-
liter air cannon consumes 0.60 Nm³/hour
at 6 bar air pressure (90 psi or 600 kPa),
with 2 firings per hour.
The compressed air contained in the
pressure vessel is instantly released, and
the achieved blast, called the impact force,
evacuates material sticking to the walls
(rat holing), as well as breaking potential
bridging thanks to the shock wave
obtained.

The blasts are usually organized by using

an automatic sequencer.

Operating principle
Phase 1: Air feeding: Air supply from the
air compressor passes through a 3/2
way solenoid valve feed, the Quick
Release Valve (QRV), and reach the
triggering mechanism with its piston
disc in closed position. The air reservoir
is then pressurized in less than 15
seconds, depending on the air pressure
and air volume used.
Phase 2: Waiting: An air pressure
equilibrium between air circuit,
triggering mechanism, and pressure
vessel is created.
Phase 3: Blasting: When activated, a
solenoid valve purges the air circuit,
thus creating an air vacuum. Then, the
piston inside triggering mechanism is
abruptly pushed back by negative
pressure, thus creating a sudden blast
 from the air contained in the pressure
vessel. This phase is measured in
milliseconds.
Then the cycle repeats again at Phase 1.

Design criteria and

construction
An efficient air blaster should be designed
to ensure:

Complete safety for the operators, thus

avoiding harsh rodding or other manual
cleaning methods;
A sturdy design, able to cope with the
most severe operating conditions;
 Easy maintenance, due to an easily
accessible triggering device;
A metal-to-metal construction design,
making the air blaster extremely reliable
even in harsh environment (such as
exposed to heat and/or dust);
A cost effective solution to all
customers that prevents hopper, bin, and
silo discharge interruption, as well as
process disr

Construction
Usually 2 versions exist A high
temperature version: mainly for heat
exchanger and cooler applications to
remove clogging and to avoid costly plant
stoppages and downtime. A low
temperature version: to eliminate build-up
and dead stock for powdery and granular
materials thus preventing caking and
allowing optimization of storage capacity.

Installation
Air blasters solves problem occurring in
cement factories among other industries,
with blockages occurring in preheater
towers (Kiln inlet, Cyclones, riser
ducts...etc.) and in grate coolers, thus
providing substantial savings.

References
Sources
Staminair website
Standard Industrie website
INWET website

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Last edited 8 months ago by an ano…

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