Review of pneumatic conveying systems

A wide range of different pneumatic conveying systems are available to cater for an equally wide range of different applications. The majority of systems are generally conventional, continuously operating, open systems in a fixed location. However, to suit the material being conveyed, the application, or the process, innovatory, batch operating, closed systems, as well as mobile systems are commonly used. To add to the complexity of selection, systems can be either positive or negative pressure in operation, or a combination of the two. The combined system is effectively achieved by means of staging. Numerous requirements of the conveying system, and conditions imposed by the material to be conveyed also have to be taken into account as they present a number of important points to consider in the selection process. Most pneumatic conveying pipeline systems can ensure totally enclosed material conveying, and so with suitable gas-solid separation and venting, the vast majority of materials can be handled quite safely in open systems. Many potentially combustible materials are conveyed in open systems by incorporating necessary safety features.