Exploring The Benefits Of Dense Phase Conveyors
If you're looking to simplify your material handling, you might be thinking about installing a pneumatic conveyor system. These are convenient systems that transport materials of all kinds over significant distance using air pressure. You can move powders, solids, and even abrasive materials in some cases. However, if you're moving something that's abrasive or heavy, you should think about investing in a dense phase conveyor system. Here's a look at what you should know about these units.
Benefits Of Using Dense Phase Conveying
Dense phase conveying is so named because it uses a low velocity gas for movement. The lower velocity of the system produces gentler movement, so it reduces the wear and tear on the system as well as on the material you're moving. This is especially beneficial when you're looking to move something that's abrasive or fragile. The gentle movement will help you optimize your material investments because the less damage you do to the material being transferred, the less waste you end up with.
The reduced wear and tear on the system itself is also a significant benefit. The low velocity means that even the most abrasive materials aren't going to cause scratches and damage inside the tubes. If you try to move something like that at high rates of speed, it's the equivalent of using a sandblaster. The abrasive materials will cause scratches and other damage to the surfaces inside your pneumatic tubes. Eliminating the risk of this kind of damage means you'll have lower maintenance costs and less system downtime.
Both of these benefits combine to create another significant benefit. Over time, you're going to see some substantial expense reductions that could ultimately lead to a measurable return on your investment. When you're looking to reduce operating expenses and increase your bottom line, the capital investment in dense phase conveyors may be the answer you're looking for.
Considerations For Dense Phase Conveying
If you do decide that a dense phase system is right for you, there are a few things you'll need to consider before making the investment. For example, you'll need to determine if the material you're transferring will fluidize. If you're not familiar with fluidization, it's a process of introducing a motive gas to encourage solid materials to flow as though they were fluid.
When you're moving especially fine powders, sometimes those fine particles will actually compact under the pressure of the gas. This creates a solid mass that essentially clogs the entire system. If your medium is mixed in size, you may also find that the coarse particles are too heavy, and the fine particles fill the gaps, resulting in a similar plug. Make sure that whatever material you're transferring adapts and can be fluidized before you invest.
You should also think about whether or not you'll need to add additional air injection throughout the system. If you're moving particles over a long distance or there are some heavier particles in the material, you may find that it flows better with the addition of a few extra air jets throughout the tubes. This may be worth the investment to reduce the chances of clogging and the resulting downtime on your production line.
Finally, you'll need to think about the pipeline diameter that you'll need to use. Dense phase systems rely on smaller diameter tubes than some of their counterparts, so you'll want to be sure that your materials will flow easily through a small diameter line. Your pneumatic conveyor system technician can help you determine the best tubing to fit both the material and the distance that you need to cover.
Now that you understand both why dense phase conveying is a wise choice and what you should think about when you invest, talk with a local technician today to assess your operation and determine if it will work for you.
