How does a pneumatic conveyor work?

A pneumatic conveyor moves materials in a closed pipeline using compressed air. The system is based on the force generated by an airflow, which transports powders, granules and other bulk materials efficiently and dust-free. Pneumatic conveying is particularly suited to situations where flexible material transport over long distances or via complex routes is required. This technique offers significant advantages compared to traditional mechanical transport methods.

What is a pneumatic conveyor and how does it differ from other transport methods?

Pneumatic conveyor use compressed air or other gas for transferring materials in a closed pipe system. Unlike mechanical conveyors, where the material moves by means of belts, screws or flights, a pneumatic system creates an airflow that carries the particles along with it.

The fundamental difference from mechanical systems is that pneumatic conveying requires no moving parts in contact with the material. The pipeline can be designed to run effortlessly through height differences, bends and tight spaces without hesitation. Mechanical conveyors, on the other hand, require straight routes.

Pneumatic material handling is particularly suitable for fine bulk materials. The system can be implemented either as dilute phase transport, where the material sort of floats in a large volume of air at high speed, or as dense phase transport, where a lower transport speed and a larger amount of material are used, and the substance being moved travels as a kind of plug within the pipeline.

How does a pneumatic conveyor move materials in practice?

The pneumatic transport operational process begins by creating an air flow by means of a compressor or fan. The material is fed into the system via a feeder, where it mixes with the air flow to form a mixture to be conveyed.

Transport takes place in a closed pipeline, where the material is carried by an air flow towards its destination. The design of the pipeline is critical: the diameter, material and route of the pipe all affect the efficiency of the transport. Air velocity and pressure are adjusted according to the characteristics of the material being transported.

At the target site, typically in a silo, the material accumulates at the bottom and the conveying air leaves the silo via a bag filter. You can find silo filters specially designed for pneumatic conveying here. If necessary, the system can be equipped with additional components, such as air filters and automatic control devices, to optimise industrial transport.

What are the main advantages of pneumatic transport in industry?

The main advantage of pneumatic transport is its flexibility and purity. The closed system prevents dust from spreading into the working environment and protects the material from external contaminants. This is particularly important in the chemical industry, where cleanliness requirements are high.

Energy efficiency is significantly improved when the system is designed correctly. Dense phase pneumatic transport uses less energy than conventional methods because the material moves at a lower air speed. Maintenance needs are reduced as there are fewer moving parts and less wear and tear.

Environmental friendliness is highlighted through reduced energy consumption and material waste. The pneumatic system can be fully automated, improving process accuracy and reducing human error. Bulk material handling is safer as workers do not have to come into direct contact with the material being handled.

For which applications is a pneumatic conveyor best suited?

Pneumatic transport works optimally powdered and granular materials in conveyance, with a particle size of less than 20 millimetres. The system can be designed according to the properties of the material to be conveyed and, if necessary, the material's behaviour and suitability for pneumatic conveyance can be tested at our pilot plant.

Distances can vary from tens of metres to hundreds of metres depending on the system type and the material being conveyed. Capacities range from a few kilos to thousands of tonnes per hour. Conditions can be demanding: the system operates in high temperatures, humidity and even potentially explosive environments in accordance with ATEX requirements.

Pneumatic conveying is not the best option for extremely damp or sticky materials. These materials can cause challenges with pipeline blockage. In these situations, mechanical material handling solutions may be more suitable.