Enhanced Low-Pressure Pneumatic Conveyance Using Swirl

Two designs for swirl amplification have been considered for pneumatic conveyance in vertical pipes. Both designs have been experimentally evaluated in order to predict their capability. The designs have been compared to other methods of amplification or swirl generation. The motivation for the swirl in pneumatic conveyance is to minimize axial velocity by using multiple swirl amplifications to enhance the transportation for long distances. In this experimental evaluation two swirl amplifiers are considered. The evaluations are done by determining the static pressures before and after the swirl amplifier in the vertical section of an experimental system. This difference in pressure points allowed the determination of length of decay, which is the distance in which this two-phase system travels before a reduction in radial velocity. In the amplifiers, compressed air at two pressures was used for the purpose of creating a low pressure pneumatic conveying system. It is determined that when using these amplifications in the air boost, longer lengths of decay can be achieved in comparison to a no swirl system. This meant that the products transportation could be enhanced due to the addition of the swirl amplifiers. The experimental values were used to compare both designs. The more productive one was determined by its length of decay. As well as estimating the maximum obtainable distances for both swirl amplifiers at each particular amplification.