Dense Phase Pneumatic Conveying

Dense Phase Pressure Conveying Systems generally use compressed air at above 1 Bar g to push materials from a Pressure Vessel (also known as a sender unit or pressure pot) through a pipeline to the destination where the air and product are separated by a filter or other system. The product extrudes through the pipeline, initially at low velocity, and gradually accelerating towards the destination.

- Fill the sender unit with product to be conveyed.
- Pressurise with compressed air.
- Open discharge valve until the product has been conveyed out.
- Close discharge valve and refill vessel.
A panel of valves and sensors are used to control the air pressures and velocities at all parts of the system to ensure smooth reliable conveying of the product.

Dense Phase Pressure Conveying Systems are particularly suitable for systems, which convey materials at high capacities over long distances, to multiple destinations. Most systems include several air control valves and the high pressure compressed air supply is able to overcome the pressure drop generated by the most difficult materials, while also providing controlled conveying for friable materials. The lower convey velocities also extend the service life for systems conveying abrasive materials.

To optimise the system various techniques are used to reduce compressed air consumption and cost, and additional options for specialised applications are available:
- Air injectors to fluidise materials to reduce friction
- Pulsed air injection to break up the product flow into discrete slugs
- Line Boosters to assist conveying along convey route
- Vibration to loosen cohesive powders prior to conveying
- Twin vessels to provide continuous conveying
- In-Line sifting, sampling, delumping, metal detection and magnetic separation systems
- Stepped convey lines to reduce terminal velocities, abrasion and degradation
- Stainless Steel construction for sanitation or corrosion resistance
- Demountable and polished designs to USDA 3A standards for ease of cleaning and more...

Dense Phase Vacuum Conveying Systems use high capacity vacuum pumps (up to 99% Vacuum) to convey materials from a feed hopper or silo to a Receiving Vessel (also known as a Vacuum Hopper) where the air and product are separated by a filter. When this vessel is full, the vacuum is isolated and the conveyed product discharged into the destination silo. The product conveys through the pipeline at a controlled low velocity, usually in a fluidised state to reduce friction and pressure drop.
- The vacuum pump sucks powder to the Vacuum Hopper until full.
- The vacuum isolation valve closes and the discharge valve opens.
- Conveyed powder is emptied from the Vacuum Hopper.
- The discharge valve is closed and the cycle repeats.

Dense Phase Vacuum Conveying Systems are particularly suitable for systems, which convey materials at high capacities over short to medium distances, from multiple sources to a single or multiple destinations.
The low convey velocities and vacuum method make it particularly suitable for Food, Dairy and Pharmaceutical applications with friable or fragile agglomerated powders.

To optimise the system various techniques are used to enhance operation, and additional options for specialised applications are available:
- Feedback Velocity control systems to minimise product degradation
- Pulsed air injection to break up the product flow into discrete slugs
- In-Line sifting, sampling, delumping, metal detection and magnetic separation systems
- Line Boosters to assist conveying along convey route
- Automatic unblocking systems using compressed air injection
- Vibration to loosen cohesive powders prior to conveying
- Twin vessels to provide continuous conveying
- Stainless Steel construction for sanitation or corrosion resistance
- Demountable and polished designs to USDA 3A standards for ease of cleaning
- Multiple inlet / multiple outlet convey networks for maximum flexibility and more ...