Pneumatic Conveying: Movement of dry materials with air

Pneumatic solid transportation systems are currently considered one of the most effective means for product transportation due to their safety, hygiene, precision, and reliability. Pneumatic conveying is the solution to numerous challenges posed by product movement.

Adaptable to any capacity and length requirement, this technology significantly simplifies the transfer of products between production sectors. With extensive experience in the application of this system, Prillwitz specializes in pneumatic conveyor application for a wide variety of products, employing specific techniques for each.

Example diagrams with options for vacuum pneumatic transport (Negative Pressure) and pressure transport (Positive Pressure)

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Example diagram with options for a vacuum pneumatic transport (Negative Pressure)
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Example diagram with options for pressure pneumatic transport (Positive Pressure)

06- Intake Rotary Valve

07- Product Viewer

08- Air Filter

09- Damper Box

10- Level Sensor

11- Storage Bin

12- Discharge Valve

13- Inlet Shoe

14- Sterilizer

15- Inline Sieve

01- Three-lobe rotary blower

02- Regenerative Turbine

03- Centrifugal Fan

04- Rotary Valve

05- Venturi

06- Intake Rotary Valve

07- Product Viewer

08- Air Filter

09- Damper Box

10- Level Sensor

11- Storage Bin

12- Discharge Valve

13- Inlet Shoe

14- Sterilizer

15- Inline Sieve

Combined parallel vacuum pneumatic transport system

When several pneumatic transports are desired with a single air generator, the parallel vacuum pneumatic transport system is used.

Widely used in flour mills, where each product from the milling process is independently elevated. Our HT fans are commonly used as air generators.

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Example diagram of a combined parallel vacuum pneumatic transport system:

01- Inlet boot

02- Transport duct

03- Viewer

04- Conicel cyclone

05- SGS viewer

06- HSD discharge rotary valve

07- VAR self-regulating valve

08- Manual butterfly valve

09- HT fan

10- Bag filter

11- Electropneumatic butterfly valve

01- Inlet boot

02- Transport duct

03- Viewer

04- Conicel cyclone

05- SGS viewer

06- HSD discharge rotary valve

07- VAR self-regulating valve

08- Manual butterfly valve

09- HT fan

10- Bag filter

11- Electropneumatic butterfly valve

In this type of system, when the load (kg/h) of one of the ducts decreases, the air tends to flow more through it, decreasing in the others. This can cause a blockage in the transport of some ducts. To prevent this, VAR self-regulating valves are placed on the cyclones

Which machines can generate air for pneumatic transport?

Air can be generated using a regenerative turbine, a rotary lobe blower, or high-pressure fans.

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Regenerative turbine Blower

Regenerative turbine Blowers or side channel blowers are reliable and efficient equipment used for different applications, mainly for pneumatic transport, with flow rates up

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Necessary accessories for pneumatic transport systems

Among our accessories for pneumatic transports, the HSP rotary valves, HSD discharge rotary valves, and HSG rotary valve stand out, ensuring airtight product loading and unloading. VTN and VTNGa valves allow the pneumatic transport lines to be diverted to different discharge points.

Air-to-air cooler for pneumatic transport

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In the case of pressure pneumatic transport using a rotary piston compressor to generate air, a significant increase in air temperature occurs.

Thus, for some heat-sensitive products, it is advisable to use an air-to-air cooler.

Some examples of products requiring it:

  • Sugar: High temperature causes it to stick to pipes and other transport elements.
  • Some plastics or resins: The temperature can deteriorate the product and form long strands or “angel hair” when it strikes transport elements or itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is pneumatic conveying system?

A pneumatic conveying system is a way of moving a bulk dry powder or granular product by mixing it with a gas, typically air, which carries it through a pipeline.

What is dilute phase pneumatic conveying?

In dilute phase pneumatic conveying, particles slide through ducts at high speed with a large amount of air at low pressure. It can be either pressure or vacuum driven.

What is vacuum pneumatic conveying?

Vacuum pneumatic conveying, or suction conveying, is an efficient way to move solids in grain or powder form, which are fluidized by the air generated by the vacuum pump. They then flow freely through the pipes to their destination.

Where is pneumatic conveying of solids used?

It is used across industries for the movement of powders and granules. It has several key advantages over mechanical conveying systems such as screw conveyors or bucket elevators.

1-It allows for transportation routes of highly variable geometry, without the limitations of the mentioned systems, which generally only allow for horizontal and vertical transport.

2-It leaves the installation much cleaner of residue from the transported product, upon completion.

3- It takes up less space and is cleaner for the surrounding environment, as it is a closed system.

Benefits of dilute phase pneumatic conveying:

The advantages of dilute phase pneumatic conveying include flexibility for transfer in limited or small spaces, dust suppression in the environment, and easy maintenance.

Advantages of vacuum pneumatic conveying:

Among the advantages of vacuum conveying are dust suppression and leak containment. It can also be applied in explosive atmospheres, with secure and graceful receivers, adapting the system to customized demands.

Thanks to their experience in implementing pneumatic and mechanical transport systems, Prillwitz has the technical knowledge necessary to adapt the various machinery to the specific characteristics of the product being handled.

Raw materials we have moved with pneumatic transport:

Grains and seeds
  • Wheat
  • Maize
  • Oats
  • Coffee
  • Cocoa
  • Rye
  • Beat
  • Rice
  • Girassol
  • Chickpeas
  • Soybeans
  • Peanuts
  • Peanuts
  • Spices
  • Foodstuffs
  • Balanced feed
  • Pellets or feeds
  • Crystalline sugar
  • Impalpable sugar
  • Cocoa
  • Coffee
  • Coriander
  • Curcuma
  • Gelatin
  • Bone meal
  • Fish flour
  • Milk powder
  • Dried beans
  • Bread crumbs
  • Batter
  • Chemicals and Minerals
  • Aluminum powder
  • Atrazine
  • Bentonite
  • Borax powder
  • Lime
  • Caolin
  • Activated carbon
  • Calcium carbonate
  • Cement
  • Shell
  • Quartz
  • Titanium Dioxide
  • Dolomite
  • Fertilizers
  • Monoammonium Phosphate
  • Diammonium Phosphate
  • Tricalcium Phosphate
  • Mica
  • Refractory Materials
  • Sodium naphthalenesulfonate
  • Pigments
  • Soaps
  • Salt
  • Precipitated silica
  • Caustic soda
  • Magnesium sulfate
  • Zinc sulfate
  • Tanine
  • Diatomaceous Earth
  • Dyes
  • Gypsum
  • Lithium
  • Grain milling
  • Afrecho and afrechillo
  • Wheat semolina and semolina
  • Semolina
  • Rebasillo
  • Zootechnical flour
  • Maize semolina
  • Semolina
  • Polenta
  • Wheat flour, corn flour, soy flour, etc.
  • Germ
  • Starch
  • Hull
  • Plastics and petrochemicals
  • Polycarbonate
  • Vinyl polyvinyl chloride or PVC
  • Polystyrene or PET
  • Polyethylene
  • Polypropylene
  • Expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam)
  • Other
  • Sawdust
  • Wood
  • Cork
  • Soap poder
  • Pigments

  • Related products