Pneumatic Conveying System for Powders

What is it?

Pneumatic conveying equipment is extremely efficient and versatile, making it useful for transporting various materials. Commonly used in industrial settings, these conveyors work by using motiveair to move products through pipelines, which are ideal in multiple applications. As a result, pneumatic conveying is often the preferred choice for high-volume material movement because it is fast and reliable. The products can be in many forms, including powder, granules, flakes, or dense objects like pellets.

Moreover, industries that use powder conveying systems include FMCG food manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, milk powder production, and others. Additionally, pneumatic conveyor systems offer many advantages over other methods of moving materials, such as gravity or mechanical conveyors.

Advantages of Pneumatic Conveyor Systems

Reduced Product Degradation

Non-contaminating

Low Energy Consumption

Compact System Design

Fewer Moving Parts

Our Customised Pneumatic Conveying Solutions

Consultation and Site Assessment

The facility’s layout is evaluated to pinpoint operational constraints like space limitations and access points. Moreover, we assess material characteristics such as particle size, bulk density, and abrasiveness to determine system specifications, including throughput rates and transfer distances. These steps ensure the powder conveying system is optimally designed for the operational environment.

Custom Design and Fabrication

Our professional pneumatic conveying system engineers expertly customise designs to meet unique operational requirements. This customisation includes:

Conveying velocity: Calculating the ideal airspeed to minimise pipe wear and ensure efficient material transport.
Pipe diameter: Selecting the correct pipe size to balance efficiency and reduce pressure drops.
Air-to-material ratio: Optimising the air-to-material ratio to prevent blockages and ensure smooth conveying.
System layout: Designing an optimised path with minimal bends to reduce wear and save energy.
System pressure: Engineering the system to operate within optimal pressure ranges for specific materials without overloading components.

Maintenance and Support

Beyond design and installation, we provide expert servicing and maintenance for your pneumatic conveying system, ensuring optimal performance. This includes regular diagnostics, proactive replacement of parts prone to wear and tear, and immediate troubleshooting to maintain system efficiency and prevent downtime.

Types of Pneumatic Conveying Systems

There are two key types of pneumatic conveying systems: lean and dense phase. Each has distinct benefits, which are essential for selecting the right application.

Lean Phase/ Dilute Phase

Transport lightweight, non-abrasive materials like flour and sugar over long distances using high velocity and low air pressure. Using high velocity and low air pressure.

Dense Phase

Transport heavy, bulky, or abrasive materials such as plastics and minerals. Handle heavy, bulky, or abrasive materials such as plastics and minerals.

At Pneu Powders, we specialise in delivering powder handling solutions and pneumatic conveying systems for bulk dry and semi-solid powders. We also provide expert advice on selecting the appropriate pneumatic conveying equipment for your industry and organisation.

Aspect

Dilute Phase Conveyance

Dense Phase Conveyance

Principle

High-velocity, low-pressure air stream

Low-velocity, high-pressure air stream

Material-to-Air Ratio

Low (more air, less material)

High (less air, more material)

Air Velocity

Typically 15-30 m/s (50-100 ft/s)

Typically 1-10 m/s (3-33 ft/s)

Pressure Range

0.1 to 1 bar (1.5 to 15 psi)

1 to 6 bar (15 to 90 psi)

Material Types

Suitable for non-abrasive, light materials (e.g., flour, grain, plastic pellets)

Suitable for abrasive, fragile, heavy, and cohesive materials (e.g., sand, cement, sugar)

Conveyance Distance

Short to medium distances (up to 300 metres or 1000 feet)

Long distances (up to 1000 metres or 3280 feet)

Pneumatic Conveying Equipment

Pneumatic conveying systems consist of various critical components, each fundamental to the system’s functionality. As one of Singapore’s leading pneumatic equipment suppliers, Pneu Powders provides all the necessary equipment to build a complete and efficient pneumatic powder conveying system, which can be customised to meet the specific needs of different industrial applications.

Conveying tubes & lines

Conveying tubes and lines are cylindrical pipelines used in pneumatic systems to transport powders and granules. These components are typically made from durable stainless steel, with smooth interiors that optimise material flow and minimise wear while withstanding high-pressure airflow and abrasives.

Air movers

Air movers, including blowers, exhauster packages, and centrifugal fans, generate crucial airflow for pneumatic systems. Vacuum compressors amplify this effect by increasing air pressure. Aftercoolers or dehumidifiers then treat the air, enhancing overall system efficiency and preventing heat-related damage to components.

Feeding systems

Feeding systems in pneumatic conveyance utilise rotary valves to regulate material entry, screw and volumetric feeders for accurate dosing and transport, and venturi ejectors to facilitate efficient material movement. Additionally, bin activators and fluidisers work to prevent blockages, ensuring a continuous flow of materials.

Separation devices

Dust containment and explosion proofing

Explosion isolation valves, explosion vents/discs, and spark detectors are utilised to prevent ignition. In addition, dust filters and air venting systems capture and remove hazardous dust, thereby maintaining a safer working environment and ensuring compliance with safety regulations.

Instrumentation and controls

Instrumentation and controls in pneumatic systems include sight glasses for visual inspection, load cells for weight measurement, and level indicators to monitor material levels within tanks or silos. Additionally, pressure/vacuum sensors aid in system monitoring, and flow metres accurately gauge material flow rates.

Pharmaceutical Industry

Dairy Industry

Petrochemical Industry

Food Industry

Frequently Asked Questions About Pneumatic Conveying Systems

How can I minimise wear and tear in a pneumatic conveyance system?

How do pneumatic conveying systems work?

What materials can be transported using pneumatic conveyance systems?

Pneumatic conveying systems are adept at transporting a wide range of materials efficiently and safely, including: Powders: Best for handling different kinds of powders such as flour, cement, and chemicals. Granules: Suitable for granular materials like plastic pellets and grains. Pellets and tablets: Ideal for pharmaceutical products, ensuring gentle handling to preserve integrity. Abrasive materials: Capable of moving abrasive substances, such as sand and metal powders, demonstrating robustness and versatility.

Is a pneumatic powder conveying system better than a mechanical conveying system?

Can pneumatic conveyance systems be integrated with existing manufacturing processes?