Dense-phase pneumatic conveying: Applications, system design, and troubleshooting
The use of dense-phase pneumatic conveying is growing in bulk solids plants because the method's low velocity provides gentler handling for some materials and causes less conveying line wear than dilutephase conveying. After describing applications for the method, this article explains how to decide if dense-phase conveying is right for your application, how to avoid some common problems when designing your own dense-phase conveying installation, and how to troubleshoot the system.
Dense-phase pneumatic conveying has traditionally been applied to transporting only a few abrasive materials like cement and fly ash. But in the last 10 years, global suppliers of foods, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, building materials, minerals, and other products have been installing low-velocity dense-phase conveying systems at a rapid rate. Why? These producers handle millions of tons annually. They know that at these high production rates, the dense-phase system's gentler handling can provide enormous cost savings by reducing material breakage and conveying line wear - even if only by a fraction of a percent - over that in a dilute-phase system.