A Simple Way To Pneumatically Convey Dry Pet Foods

In the past, the industry has relied heavily on mechanical methods. There are many advantages and disadvantages to conveying with mechanical and pneumatic systems.

Mechanical conveyors are fairly inexpensive if conveying a short distance or transferring between systems. However, mechanical systems—bucket elevators, conveyor belts, drag conveyors, screw conveyors and vibratory feeders—have many moving parts. In addition to being high maintenance, they also provoke serious cross-contamination concerns, produce high breakage numbers and occupy large amounts of space in plants. Also, the ability to change from horizontal to vertical with a mechanical system poses design layout problems.

Pneumatic conveying methods are fairly well known, but typically misunderstood and disregarded due to the perceptions of breakage. Advances in system design and control makes low pressure continuous dense phase (LPCDP) a simple way to pneumatically convey dry pet foods with minimum product breakage and cleanliness unmatched by mechanical conveying methods.

Batch Vs. Continuous Dense Phase
Batch dense phase is the classic method of conveying at low velocity. Continuous dense phase (CDP™) employs a precision machined airlock to continuously introduce material into the convey line, which requires very little headroom yet still gently conveys at low velocities.

Low Pressure CDP (LPCDP)
Using the smallest differential pressure required to move the slug of material down the convey line minimizes friction. The convey pressure is essentially the sum of the individual differential pressures of the slugs.

Energy Savings
A major concern when debating the use of a CDP system can be the air source. Compressed air is generally required as the motive force, as opposed to a PD pump due to the pressures involved.

Download for full white paper