Pneumatic Conveying Design

One of the most popular methods of moving solids in the chemical industry is pneumatic conveying. Pneumatic
conveying refers to the
moving of solids suspended in or forced by a gas stream through horizontal
and/or vertical pipes. Pneumatic conveying can be used for particles ranging
from fine powders to pellets and bulk densities of 1 to !"## kg/m
!
$1 to "##
lb/ft
!
%.
Dilute phase vs. Dense phase conveying
&he specifying engineer typically has four choice in specifying a pneumatic conveying system.
1. Dilute phase vacuum operation
". Dilute phase pressure operation
!. Dilute phase pressure'vacuum operation
(. Dense phase pressure operation
)acuum systems allow multiple product inlets through the use of simple diverter valves. *owever+ it becomes
costly to have multiple destinations because each must have its own filter receiver with partial vacuum capability.
)acuum systems are also more ,distance sensitive, than pressure systems due to the ma-imum pressure differential
of ... to .# psi. Dilute phase pressure systems can easily achieve pressure differentials of 1" psi. Pressure'
vacuum operation $utilizing both methods% are sometimes ideal for a given conveying setup. / very common
application is the unloading of a standard railcar. 0ince the cars cannot be pressurized+ air is pulled from the
outside+ through the car $carrying solids with it% to a filter. &hen after the filter+ a blower can be used to forward the
solids to the final receiver.
&he choice between dilute and dense phase operation is typically dependent on the solids properties. 1or
e-ample+ the lower velocity bulk phase operation is popular ofr highly abrasive products or for those that degrade
easily. 1or e-ample+ this method is popular in transporting kaolin clay.
Designing a system for Dilute Phase Operation
2/ssume a system with the following parameters3
"## feet of straight pipe
" 4# degree elbows
5ulk density of # lb/ft
!
$4# kg/m
!
%
0ystem capacity of ".+### lb/h $about 11!(# kg/h%
22&he design information used here assumes that air is the carrier gas+ but for preliminary design+ these charts will
be sufficient for other gases such as nitrogen. Please be aware that using air as a carrier gas should be
investigated thoroughly. When some powders are mixed with oxygen, they form an explosive mixture!
&he use of nomographs shown herein along with the additional tables can be used for an initial design.
Step #1: Determine the equivalent length of pipe for the system
1or this type of calculation+ 4# degree elbows have an e6uivalent length of ". feet $7. m% while (. degree
elbows have an e6uivalent length of 1. ft $(. m%. &hus for our e-ample3
86. 9ength : "## ft ; " $". ft% : ".# ft
Step #2: Choose an initial gas velocity to move the particles
<sing the table below+ we choose our initial gas velocity.
Print )ersion *ere
1or our system+ we have an initial gas velocity of 71.# ft/min $"174 m/min%.
Step #3: Assume a pipe diameter and read the required air volume
1rom Chart 1 $Print version%+ draw a straight line from the initial velocity to the assumed pipe diameter and
continue the line to the air volume. 1or our system+ we=ll start with a common ( inch pipe diameter. &his
procedure yields an initial air volume of 1# ft
!
/min.
Step #4: ind the solids ratio
Ch8 Plus 0ubscriber ' Click *ere for a Printable )ersion
0end this Page to a 1riend
Fill out your email address to
receive notification of site updates
and instantly receive five technical
questions and answers!
Email Address:
First Name:
Last Name:
State:
Country:
Industry:
osition:
Si!nup "emove
Submit
Main Page
Terms of Use
Premium ontent
!ogin " #ignup " !earn More
$nline #tore
%ngineering #oftware " Training Material " ontinuing %ducation "
Maint &est Practices " &oo' (eviews
h% )obs
*ree for )ob #ee'ers
*ree +rticles
,ewly (eleased " Popular Titles " Process %ngineering " Process -esign "
Process #afety " P. &usiness " %ngineered Writing " +s . #ee .t " #tudents
,ewsletter
#ign up for the h% Plus ,ewsletter
Message &oards
.nteract with other professionals and students on our online message baords
$ther (esources
*ree #oftware " Physical Properties " #ubmit an +ritlce " !in'ing to Us "
areer (esearch " Why h%/ " #taff " 0 1 +2s
!in' -irectories
h% !in's Technical -irectory " heresources Partner -irectory
*ree Publications
*ree Trade Publications from heresources
+dvertise with Us
+dvertise 3our ompany, Products, or #ervices
ontact Us
#end Us 3our *eedbac'
&he Chemical 8ngineers= >esource Page+ 1((" ?oswick >idge >oad+ @idlothian+ )/ "!11(+ 8mail
/ll material is Copyright A "##(+ www.cheresources.com