Flow aids to the rescue: Discharging from storage into your pneumatic conveying system
This article describes three common methods (aeration, vibration, and agitation) of promoting efficient flow of a dry powder from a storage vessel into a pneumatic conveying system.
No matter what industry you’re in, you’ve probably run into powders that cause real problems when you try to discharge them from a storage vessel into your pneumatic conveying system. Very fine powders such as cocoa and pharmaceutical additives, crystalline powders such as sugar, powders that hold a static charge such as plastic resins, fine granular powders such as detergents, and many others have a tendency to form an arch or rathole when discharging from a silo, bin, filter-receiver, or bulk bag. Getting the powder out of storage and into the conveying line can be the biggest challenge in designing and operating a pneumatic conveying system. This article explains what you can do to ensure smooth discharge from your storage vessel into a pneumatic conveying system.