...Most Importantly...
...is there a requirement in industry for a device that can safely pneumatically transport all types of powders?
If not, then my choice of topic will be a waste of time. ■
Re: Pneumatic Feeding Metal Powders
To prevent and protect pneumatic conveying systems against dust explosions, National Fire Protection Association recommends that its Standards 68 and 69 should be followed in the design and operation. These standards are applicable to all combustible or explosive dusts.
For conveying metal powders, in addition to dust explosion safety, in your research you may look into other problems such as wear of conveying system componnents.
Regards,
Amrit Agarwal
Pneumatic Conveying Engineers
polypcc@aol.com ■
Re: Pneumatic Feeding Metal Powders
Hi Amrit et al.,
Thanks for your response. It seems as though you are quoting US regulations. I'm sure they'll be similar to that of the UK/Europe but I was wondering what source of information could I use to ascertain the type of problems currently experienced by pneumatic transfer of powders and dusts?
You've quite rightly highlighted one problem (wear in conveying components), that is, in addition to safety.
Excuse the naive question (I'm an Aerospace engineer looking at ways to apply spin off technology for terrestrial applications) but in the field of pneumatic transfer for powders, haven't these problems mention in this thread been solved yet? Is there a great deal of effort to address these issues? Most importantly, is there an urgent necessity to engineer methods for the safe transport of powders? ■
Re: Pneumatic Feeding Metal Powders
One good example is how to safely conveying gun powder. This material is a self-oxydizer, therefore, it can lead to a dust deflagration even in the absence of oxygen. Dense phase systems cannot be used because they are like time-bombs due to the presence of plugs in the conveying line. Dilute phase systems can be used but their high velocity causes attrition (breakage) of the particles and creation of dust. Is there any spin off technology from your work that can be used for pneumatic conveying of explosives like gun powder? This kind of research is worth an effort.
Regards,
Amrit
A. T. Agarwal
Consulting Engineer
Pneumatic Conveying Engineers
polypcc@aol.com ■
Aereo
My friend I am also an aereo and astro posgrad , MIT course 16
I have spend the last 30 years of my life doing precisely that downloading aereo tech to the grownd. Also I have been handling sponge iron , dust and pellets and bulk for 25 of those years.
Hot and Cold in rates that exceed 200 m tons per hr in pneumatic conveying at 800 degrees c . the first installation is about to be 6 years old , transporting day and night.
A new version is abouth to undergo commisioning early next year , a pilot plant 1800 mtons per day , and it is considered a pilot plant.
You can imagine the output of the full scale unit, if we are successfull it will be built some 4 years from now.
There is nothing difficult any more, standards can be changed and regulations modified , you will face all this regulations head on, the serve their purpose, stablish a reference base, whatever you do make a strong case for it, nothing treathens more the establishment than innovation, you will change the rules of the game, I have done it before , now ot will be your turn and of the others like you that follow.
If you are concerned with wear send me a private e mail, the system properly designed can out last stainless steel for more than a hundreth times.
Keep up the good work . It is worth it.
Regards
marco ■
Pneumatic feeding metal powders
I recently completed a basic study on feeding metal powders and found that there is no consistent way to perform this transfer, with a constant flow rate. I'm looking at pnuematic transfer in tubes, irrespective of diameter, and would be grateful if someone could provide me with a reliable source of all work done in this field of study. A list of references would be ideal.
There is a chance that I will select this topic to study for a PhD/Doctorate so any information such as a bibliography of research papers/authors would be ideal.
So far as I'm aware, this pneumatic feed is an ideal way for moving large quantities of powder in the metal powder and catering (sugar, salt, flour) industry where safe transportation of powder is desirable since it circumvents associated dust explosions via other methods of transfer. ■