AJAX Equipment

A short guide to
pneumatic
conveying of Milton Works, Mule Street, Bolton, AJAX
powders and UK, BL2 2AR
bulk solids Tel: (0)1204 386723 Fax: (0)1204
363706
Email info@ajax.co.uk

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Ten Key Steps for Reliable Pneumatic Conveying by Lyn Bates

1. Do not use sloping pipe runs between 200 and 800 inclination. The re-
fluxation, (run-back and re-conveying of the same material), will require
the pipe to re-transfer the product slipping back on top of its normal
load, and the effect is accumulative. At best it will significantly increase
the conveying burden, but is more than likely tend to block the lower
bend.

2. Allow a 'reasonable' horizontal conveying length before the first bend to

allow the bulk material to accelerate to a stable conveying speed and
reduce the sectional loading of the conveying pipe. Material slowed by
the bend occupies a greater proportion of the pipe's cross sectional
area and thereby offers more obstruction to the air flow, which
increases the pressure drop along the system.

3. Do not fit bends close together on the pipe run for reasons similar to
the above.

4. Consider stepping the pipeline on long runs. Air expands with pressure
drop, so velocities inevitably increase along a constant pipe run. Higher
material velocities increase wear on bends and product degradation.

5. 'More air' can be 'Less transfer capacity' in dilute phase systems.

Larger solids and gas frictional losses caused by higher gas velocities
can absorb more energy than the extra input of energy. There is an
 optimum gas flow rate for a given lean phase flow system. Check with
a specialist for the correct solids/gas ratio balance and top
performance.

6. Product damage and wear at bends is very material dependent. Blind

Tee's usually have much merit, but cause a higher pressure drop than
long radius bends. Use dense phase pneumatic systems for minimum
particle attrition and lowest pipe wear, except for some very fragile
flake particulates, such as tea, which can be delicately transported by a
'weak' lean phase system because they are easily blown along at low
air velocities.

7. Rotary valves do leak and also pass air differentials through the
returning empty pockets. They also tend to fill with product on one side
of the valve as the empty pockets are rotated to present a space for
material to flow in. Back flow of gas and biases intake causes many
feed problems. Make sure that the valve is properly vented and that the
feed channel is of good form for flow across the whole cross section. A
short inlet standpipe is useful for such duties as a cyclone outlet or a
feed into a high pressure line.

8. Check that cyclones have an unobstructed outlet. If there is intermittent

or periodic discharge, allow clear buffer capacity to avoid interfering
with the cyclone operation.

9. Allow for the pressure drop on the supply line to the blower. Include an
allowance for any filter, silencer, acoustic box or compressor enclosure
and extended supply run, as may be appropriate. Be sure to
compensate for the temperature increase due to gas compression.

10. Provide adequate instrumentation This is essential to know what is

going on and to facilitate a proper investigation of any problems that
may arise.

Remember - If you have to knock the pipes, it's not working properly. Fix it,
before it gets worse, because it will and invariably at the worst possible time.
See Also User Guide to Segregation and Design Selection and Application of
Screw Feeders