PNEUMATIC CONVEYING SYSTEM.

PRESENTED BY : FAHEEM-UL-HAQ SHAH ROLL

NO : BFT-20-35
SEMESTER : 3RD
DEPARTMENT : FOOD TECHNOLOGY
• A Pneumatic conveying system transfers dry bulk materials or powders through
an enclosed conveying pipeline using pressure differential and gas flow(usually
compressed air or nitrogen), generated by an air movement device such as a fan,
roots blower or compressor.
• The material is totally enclosed within tubes or pipes, where differences in
pressures on either side cause a flow of product. This pressure differential can be
made via increasing or decreasing the pressure on either side of the tube, where
the addition of a blower will cause fine particles to flow.
• The pressure differential will depend on a number of factors, including the length
and layout of the system itself along with the volume and concentration of the
product.
• Push System( also known as positive pressure system) can push materials from
one inlet to many outlets and Pull System(negative pressure) can pull materials
from many inlets to one outlet.
• Pneumatic conveyors have fewer parts than other conveying systems and are
best suited for small, dry, low bulk density products such as wheat, sugar, sands,
cement powder and other aggregates.
• The main application of Pneumatic conveyors are Burner feeders, metal
powder transporters, recycling and any similar use case that needs the
transfer of powders, granules, flakes and dry bulk.
• These are generally less efficient as more energy is needed to keep the
blowers/vacuums on.
• Types of Pneumatic Conveying Systems;
• Pneumatic conveyor types are defined based on what kind of material is
moveable and their source of airflow; the three main pneumatic conveyor
types are dilute phase, dense phase, and semi-dense phase conveyors, where
each can be pressure or vacuum-driven.
• Dilute phase pneumatic conveyors
• Dilute phase pneumatic conveyors are a common system for nonfragile
materials and implement low pressure, high-velocity air streams which
fluidize fine particles. Material is loaded into a hopper, where an air mover
then sends it through the conveying line to its destination(s) at high speeds.
• They come either as dilute phase pressure conveyors or dilute phase
vacuum conveyors; Pressure conveyors work best with powders with bulk
densities less than ~62 lb/ft3 and can move granules long distances, while
vacuum conveyors are best suited for materials that pack under pressure
(woodchips, fibers, etc.) and are reserved for short distances.
• The dilute phase vacuum conveyor also reduces the risk of exposure to the
inside material, making it useful for chemical and toxic applications.
• Dense phase pneumatic conveyors are the opposite of dilute phase
conveyors, as they utilize high pressure and low velocity to move
products prone to breakage.
• The material is loaded into a pressure vessel, where high pressures force
material into the conveying line to its destination(s). The product is not
fluidized in the airstream, and instead is “pulsed” thought the system,
sometimes with the help of air injectors (see Figure 4).
• Dense phase pressure conveyors gently convey particles smaller than 0.75
in over long distances (250+ ft), while dense phase vacuum conveyors can
do the same but at much shorter distances (<200 ft.).
• Common applications of dense phase pneumatic conveyors are for moving
heavy bulk density products, abrasives (sugar, salt, etc.), blended products,
plastic pellets, and other fragile materials.
• Semi-dense phase pneumatic conveyors are a middle point between the
last two pneumatic conveyor types and have qualities of both as a result.
• They are both pressurized and have an air mover, allowing them to convey
non-fragile materials smaller than 0.25 in at medium velocity, where only a
portion of the material is fluidized in the air.
• Semi-dense pneumatic conveyors tend to be chosen when dense or dilute
conveyors do not work, as they provide some increased speed yet still
protect the material through the system.
• They work well with aeratable, abrasive materials and can convey them at
rates around 1,500-3,500 ft./min.
• Semi-dense conveyors find uses moving cement, fly ash, and more, and offer
the optimum solution when needing a middle ground pneumatic conveyor.

• Advantages of pneumatic conveying.

 Due to the compact nature of the conveying pipe transfer line, a pneumatic
conveying system can be routed around existing equipment, giving more
flexibility than a mechanical conveying system.
 As the system is enclosed, there is protection against dust emissions to the
atmosphere and also protection of the conveyed material from external
contaminants.
 Pneumatic conveying systems can be easier and more cost effective to maintain
than a mechanical conveying system – fewer moving parts.
 Minimize system wear from abrasive materials and damage to fragile materials.
• Take up less floor space so are easier to locate.
• Can have multiple pick up and discharge points.

• Disadvantages of pneumatic conveying.

• Pneumatic conveying systems need to change air pressure to produce the
conveying power and as a result, are less efficient than a mechanical conveyor.
• Typically used to transfer smaller volume throughputs of materials, although
they can be used to transfer higher volume throughputs, this may present greater
challenges.
• As the dust needs to be extracted from a pneumatic conveyor at the end of the
system, a larger dust collection system may be required.
• Materials with high bulk densities, larger particles, and sticky or wet materials
may not be suitable for pneumatic conveying.
THANK YOU.