Clarifying confusing pneumatic conveying terms
In this eleventh column on the general application of pneumatic conveying, we'll review the meaning of some commonly used pneumatic conveying terms. The terms, loading, saltation velocity, pickup velocity, terminal velocity, and unstable conveying zone, are sometimes used in different ways by pneumatic conveying authors and practitioners, which can be confusing. As we review what these terms mean, it may be helpful to arm yourself with previous columns discussing them, including July 1991, November 1991, March 1993, and November 1997.
Loading: A pneumatic conveying system's loading is the material-to-air [or other gas] ratio, but this ratio can be represented in different ways.