Pneumatic conveying is the process of moving bulk materials by utilising air pressure. The process begins with the discharge of bulk materials from their storage silo, hopper or big-bag. As the materials are released they can either be fed using a screw feeder, or fall into the pneumatic conveying system where they are met with pressurised air racing through sealed pipes or hoses. The system requires a difference in pressure between the beginning and the end of the pipeline, to control the material flow. An external transmitter is used to adjust the velocity and air pressure inside the system, taking into account the material, distance, or weight of the substance being transferred. As the bulk material meets the pressurised air, it begins travelling through a conveying hose, to a valve gate and/or pneumatic hammer, before being evenly distributed into another means of storage. A specialised coating solution can be used to help the materials move more effectively through the system, preventing any materials from clogging.
Having historically been used to separate bulk food material such as grain, pneumatic conveying is now used in a range of industries from fertiliser and pharmaceutical manufacturing, to recycling and waste collection.
SN Engineering are pleased to work in conjunction with many of our clients, by offering our own pneumatic conveying facilities for material testing. Get in touch to enquire about our facilities in Gloucestershire to explore our range of screw conveying, dust filtration and mixing and blending equipment.