Pneumatic Transport, Pneumatic Conveying

Two types of pneumatic conveying systems for industrial use: dense phase and dilute phase

Dense phase powder transport for industrial applications

Suction-based dense phase pneumatic conveying system

The suction-based dense phase powder transfer system may be referred to by various names: powder pump, pneumatic conveyor, powder conveyor, vacuum transfer, vacuum conveyor, powder handling system, vacuum pump or transfer cyclone. It facilitates the transfer of powders, granules, bulk solids, and fine materials without degradation, continuously and in a fully enclosed process.

This dense phase conveying system offers numerous advantages over dilute phase or pressure-driven pneumatic conveying systems. It prevents attrition and demixing of the transferred powders and allows for fully enclosed, energy-efficient operations.

Operating principle:

Powders are drawn into the system using a vacuum pump (either electric or pneumatic) towards a receiving cyclone (cyclofilter) with tangential (cylindrical) inlet. The powders are discharged via receiver filters or cyclonic separators, which separate the material from the air directly above hoppers, storage tanks, or other production equipment in the packaging line.

Key features and applications:

• Powder transport, dosing, and weighing are the primary functions of this system.
• Common applications include suction from bags, big bags, storage containers, silos, packaging lines, manual sack dump stations, big bag filling stations, buffer hoppers, and storage hoppers.
• These systems are often used to transport powders from multiple entry points, such as storage tanks or big bags, to one or more production units in the packaging line. Unlike pressure-driven pneumatic systems, suction systems also allow powders or granules to be easily extracted from open containers or big bags using lances.

Pressure-based dense phase pneumatic transfer system

This system is employed to transfer fine materials to one or more production units over long distances while offering greater capacity than suction systems. It is particularly suitable for highly abrasive products, materials of varying flow rates, and all temperature ranges. A rotary valve is not mandatory for operation.

Operating principle:

The powders are moved by pushing, with one or more inlets for the material. Bulk products are transferred via rotary valves into conveying lines. The powders and air are propelled through the transfer line and discharged at one or more usage points. The conveyed materials are separated from the air using a receiver filter or cyclonic separator.

Dilute phase pneumatic conveying system - Blower-based

Palamatic Process dilute phase pneumatic conveying systems use positive pressure (blowing) within sealed piping to transport materials. These systems handle installations with multiple pickup and discharge points. Powders or fine materials are suspended in air during transport and separated at the usage point via guillotine valves, butterfly valves, and rotary locks. Also known as dispatch locks, these systems operate at high pressure and low speed for transferring abrasive or delicate materials.

Key features:

Depending on the product characteristics, our engineering team optimises filtration and transfer speed to prevent:

• Demixing
• Product breakage
• Abrasion

For ATEX zones, our experts design tailored powder transport solutions adapted to your specific constraints. Various sensors (pressure, temperature, oxygen meters) ensure system control and operational safety.

Palamatic Process also offers specialised pneumatic transfer systems for specific materials, such as the MultiAshFlow® pneumatic ash conveyor and the Cementveyor® pneumatic cement transport system.

To choose the right pneumatic conveying technology

Consult our dedicated article, Pneumatic Conveying: Which Technology to Choose?, or contact our experts directly for personalised advice. Palamatic Process can also assist in resolving issues related to pressure loss or efficiency reduction in your pneumatic conveying system. Our business managers can conduct feasibility studies for investments aimed at enhancing industrial efficiency and debottlenecking your site.

Example of a production line with a pressure-based pneumatic conveying system: