What you are looking for is called a riffler chute.

Have a read here.

https://forum.bulk-online.com/showpo...45&postcount=3 ■

RJB,

I think you should look at using two rotary valves in parallel installed sufficiently below the Cyclone, with a vertical chute between the Cyclone and the rotary valves. The length of the chute should be about 3 times than the diameter of Cyclone outlet, and it should always run full by maintaining a level in the Cyclone. This way you will have flood feed to the rotary valves. Using the speed and cfr of the valve you will get the feed rate.

Regards,

Amrit Agarwal

Consulting Engineer

Pneumatic Conveying Consulting

Email: polypcc@aol.com

Ph andf fax: 304 346 5125 ■

Before installing a chute below the cyclone and running it choke full, I would be sure the material you are handlng will not simply plug in the chute and not flow without fluidization or some other means of assistance.

Regards ■

You might want to have a look at an obturator valve as they can replace the rotary airlock valve and be adjusted to maintain a certain level in your cyclone.

Here is one example.

http://www.stanam-industries.com/english/obturateur.asp ■

Thanks for the helpful suggestions everyone.

Armit - How can we design a cyclone to keep it full all the time? Our current cyclone does have a transition bin below the cyclone and above the current rotary valves. Does our cyclone need to be on load cells? Or 2 level switches to show when to start and stop the rotary airlocks based on levels?

Thanks.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Dear RJB,

You do not need to fill-up the Cyclone, all you need is make sure that the discharge chute runs full. Two level switches, low and high, as you have said, will assure that. Load cells will be more expensive.

Best regards,

Amrit Agarwal

Pneuamtic Conveying Consulting

Email: polypcc@aol.com

Ph and Fax: 304 346 3780 ■