Vacuum Conveying Systems
A basic vacuum conveying system uses a metering device at the inlet, a pipeline, receiver and exhauster.
As there is no positive pressure at the inlet it is not necessary to fit a rotary valve, so large particles can be fed into the system without damage. Some products will be able to feed into the system using a double walled lance inserted into the bulk of the material. Some products which don’t feed freely will need a controlled feed from an upstream process.
Vacuum Conveying System Overview
- The receiver needs to be sealed and vacuum tight to enable the system to operate effectively
- Another possible benefit results from the vacuum conveying system being under negative pressure; potential leakage of toxic or hazardous products is prevented.
- The conveying rate for a vacuum conveyor is limited by the negative pressure that can be created by different exhausters.
- We would typically not design a vacuum system to operate in excess of -400mbarg.
- Vacuum conveying systems are generally better suited to lower throughputs and conveying distances when compared with pressure conveying system.
- Frequently used in ‘hopper loading’ applications often known as ‘suck and dump’
- Air and products will generally have higher velocities than pressure conveying.