Bulk conveyors are used to transport bulk solids and powder bulk materials from one location to another. Typically pneumatically-powered, bulk conveyors are able to handle abrasive, hazardous, friable, moist and delicate materials such as cement, flour, grains, seeds, plastic pellets, chemicals and various powders.
The flexibility of pneumatic bulk conveying systems saves manufacturers enormous amounts of time, labor and product damage that can result from more traditional handling methods such as belt conveying, bucket elevator conveying and hand measuring. In fact, bulk conveying systems may be built and installed within facilities to handle bulk solids across floor levels through every handling stage, including precisely measured product dispersal into mixers and packaging stations. Beneficial for diverse industries such as foundry, industrial, pharmaceutical, food and chemical processing, mining and plastics, advantages of pneumatic bulk conveyors include low product leakage, reduced product damage and sanitary operation. In addition, there is a wide range of pneumatic bulk conveyor models to suit the varying needs of different industries and products, ensuring efficient and cost-effective material handling.
The two main types of pneumatic bulk conveyors are dilute and dense phase conveyors. These two types of pneumatic bulk conveyors differ mainly in terms of pressure, the solids' properties and the rate of conveying speed. Dense phase conveyors push materials through at a fairly low velocity with a low air-to-material ratio. Dense phase systems convey materials at a general average of 275 feet per minute are used for conveying mainly heavier materials. Dilute phase conveyors operate much more quickly and with a higher air-to-material ratio. This method, the more common of the two, fluidizes smaller, lighter materials into a continuous stream of air. In addition to bulk conveyors, there are several other types of bulk material handling equipment. For instance, bulk bag handling equipment allows bulk solids to be gathered and, if necessary, packed into measured bulk bags for easier storage and transportation throughout facilities. Pneumatic conveyor tubes are hooked up to bulk bag unloaders and bulk bag fillers to carry materials to and from bulk bags and loading stations or designated processes. In addition, industrial mixers, dryers, pulverizers and vibratory feeders are integrated into bulk material handling systems for complete processing.
