Types of Pneumatic Conveying System

An introduction to the various types of pneumatic conveying systems and the parameters which influence their capabilities in terms of material flow rate and conveying distance are given. The influence of the material on the conveying system is a major consideration. The well-established conventional pneumatic conveyors are discussed and brief mention made of methods of feeding the conveying line and of disengaging solids from the air at the discharge point. The problems of conveying certain types of bulk material are highlighted and recent developments in pneumatic conveying techniques aimed to overcome such problems are discussed, including single-plug blow tank, plug control and pulse phase systems. Mention is made also of air-assisted gravity conveyors. Capital and operating costs for each type of system are briefly compared.