Pneumatic conveyors use air pressure to move materials in industrial facilities, with two types: dilute-phase and dense-phase. They are used in various industries, offer advantages over mechanical systems, but can be more expensive and complex to design.
A pneumatic conveyor is a machine used to move materials in an industrial plant or manufacturing facility. Pneumatic conveying systems serve as an alternative to mechanical conveyors such as vibrating belts and trays. Instead of using traditional motors, they rely on air pressure to suck materials from various containers and transport them to other parts of the building for mixing or processing. Each conveyor uses forced air pressure or vacuum technology to push or pull materials using air. Forced-air systems are best for moving materials to multiple locations using a split tubing or tubing setup, while vacuum units can only pull materials to a single location.
These systems are used in many industries. In agricultural settings, a pneumatic grain conveyor moves corn and other grains into or out of silos and other storage tanks. Pneumatic conveyors are also used extensively in chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing as well as the thermoplastics industry. These systems help transport various ingredients for food processing and can also be used to produce cosmetics and detergents. Some energy producers rely on a pneumatic conveying system to move oil and other fuel products.
There are two basic types of pneumatic conveying systems to choose from and each is characterized by how it conveys materials. Dilute-phase systems move materials at very high speeds and pressure levels, which dilutes the products so they are suspended in the air within the system. Dense-phase conveyors move materials more slowly, so they aren’t suspended in air. A dense-phase system can move liquids down a pipe, while a dilute-phase design could be used to blow tiny grain particles through a duct or tube.
A pneumatic conveyor offers a number of advantages over comparable mechanical systems. They can be modified to fit almost any floor layout and can be used to transport materials from different areas or levels of the building. They also run over a larger area and are easier to maintain than mechanical conveyors. Finally, pneumatic systems tend to produce less dust and fewer emissions than belt conveyor systems.
Despite their many advantages, pneumatic conveyors are also associated with a number of potential drawbacks that may deter some buyers. They cost more in terms of upfront equipment costs and often cost more to operate each month. The design is also more complex and may require the assistance of professional designers or consultants to create an effective conveyor system.
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