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PNEUMATIC TRANSPORT SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLED BULK MATERIAL HANDLING

Reliable pneumatic transport systems for alternative fuels, designed to move fine materials efficiently, maintain enclosed transfer and support continuous operation across industrial processes.

ENCLOSED PNEUMATIC TRANSPORT FOR EFFICIENT MATERIAL MOVEMENT

Pneumatic transport uses a controlled air stream to move bulk materials through pipelines between process stages. Material is introduced into the system via feeding devices such as rotary valves, while blowers generate the airflow required to carry it to its destination.

This approach is particularly suited to fine or powdery materials commonly used in alternative fuel systems, such as RDF/SRF or other pulverised fuels. The system uses lean phase pneumatic conveying to transport material through enclosed pipelines.

At the receiving point, separation systems such as filters or cyclones remove the material from the air stream and direct it to the next stage of the handling system, typically a burner or calciner. By operating within enclosed pipelines, pneumatic transport systems support clean, controlled material transfer with minimal dust emissions.

CHALLENGES IN PNEUMATIC TRANSPORT

  • Unstable material flow within pipelines

    Incorrect air-to-material ratios can lead to blockages, inconsistent material flow or reduced throughput.

  • Wear in pipelines and components

    Abrasive materials and high air velocities can cause wear in pipes, bends and feeding equipment.

  • Dust emission risks

    Poorly designed or inadequately sealed systems can lead to dust leakage, increasing the risk of non-compliance with environmental and workplace safety regulations

  • Excessive energy consumption

    Incorrect sizing of blowers and pipeline diameters can result in excessive energy use.

  • Material degradation

    High conveying velocities may damage fragile materials or alter particle characteristics.

  • Lack of integration

    Incompatibilities with upstream and downstream equipment can affect feeding consistency and material transfer, impacting overall system performance.

ACHIEVING STABLE FLOW AND EFFICIENT AIR USE

Reliable pneumatic transport depends on maintaining the right balance between airflow, material behaviour and system configuration.

Air velocity must be carefully controlled to keep material moving without causing excessive wear, degradation or unnecessary energy consumption. At the same time, feeding systems must introduce material consistently to prevent fluctuations that can lead to blockages or unstable flow conditions.

Pipeline design also plays a critical role. Routing, bends and pressure losses must be optimised to ensure smooth transport and avoid areas where material could accumulate. At the receiving end, efficient separation of material from the air stream is essential to maintain consistent transfer to downstream handling stages. When the material is conveyed directly to a combustion process, the amount of cold conveying air must be minimised to support stable and efficient combustion.

Together, these factors determine whether a pneumatic transport system operates effectively throughout its lifecycle.

BEUMER GROUP PNEUMATIC TRANSPORT SYSTEMS FOR EFFICIENT AND RELIABLE OPERATIONS

BEUMER Group designs fully integrated pneumatic conveying solutions, tailored to the specific material properties and process requirements of each application.

By considering factors such as particle size, material behaviour, conveying distance, required capacity and system layout, BEUMER develops pneumatic transport systems that ensure stable material flow, controlled air usage and reliable combustion or separation at the destination.

These custom-designed systems combine blowers, feeding devices, pipelines and separation systems into a coordinated solution that integrates seamlessly into wider alternative fuel handling operations. This system-level approach ensures efficient operation, reduced wear and dependable long-term performance to deliver maximum return on investment.

BENEFITS OF BEUMER PNEUMATIC TRANSPORT SYSTEMS

  • Efficient transport of fine materials

    Ideal for powders and lightweight materials requiring enclosed conveying

  • Clean and enclosed handling

    Minimises dust emissions and supports safe working environments.

  • Stable and controlled flow conditions

    Optimised airflow ensures consistent material movement.

  • Reduced wear and energy consumption

    Careful system design balances performance with efficiency to minimise total cost of ownership.

  • Seamless system integration

    Designed to connect reliably with upstream and downstream handling stages.

  • Engineered for long-term performance

    A system-focused approach ensures durability, efficiency and consistent operation.

  • Design description:​

    • Lean phase conveying​
    • For short distance transport of up to 150 m​
    • For fine, less sticky materials​
    • Infeed via rotary drop-out valves​

    Features:​

    • Material bulk density: 50-400 kg/m3​
    • Material grain size: up to 1/3 of the pipe diameter​
    • Feed rate: up to 200 m3/h (possible increase in tailor-made solutions)​
    • Pressure sensors, shut-off valves ​
    • Elbow lining​
    • Blower design and delivery​

Optimise your pneumatic transport system

Whether upgrading existing equipment or implementing a new pneumatic transport system, BEUMER Group supports efficient and reliable fine material transport tailored to your operation.

Claus Weyhofen - Head of Sales Cement

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Claus Weyhofen

Head of Sales Cement

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