Chapter VIII

Pneumatic Conveying Terms CEMA Standard No. 805

MATERIAL CHARACTERIZATION

Loose Bulk Density

The loose bilk density (sometimes called the poured bilk density) of a bulk
material is the weight per unit of volume (usually pounds per cubic foot) that has
been measured when the sample is in a loose, non – compacted or poured
condition. The loose bulk density may be close to the “as conveyed” bulk density
and is preferred for the purposes of pneumatic conveying system design.

Packed Bulk Density

The packed bulk density of a bulk material is the weight per unit volume (usually
pounds per cubic foot) that has been measured when the sample has been
packed or compacted in, for instance, a silo or bin or after containerised
transportation. The packed bulk density does not compare to the conditions that
would be found in a pneumatic conveying system. It is for this reason that the
loose bulk density is preferred for the purposes of conveying system design.

Fluidised Bulk Density

Fluidised bulk density is the apparent bulk density of a material in its fluidised
state.

Fluidised Bulk Density (Cont.)

It is generally lower than either the packed or loose bulk density due to the air
absorbed into the voids.

Particle Density

The mass of a particle divided by its volume. For a bulk material, average particle
density is used, found by dividing the mass of the material by its volume,
excluding the voids.

Particle Size Distribution

The Particle Size Distribution of a bulk material is a tabulation of the percentage

of particles by mass in each particle size range. The percentage described is
either that passing or being retained on a specific screen size. In the United
States, the screens used are “U.S. Standard Screens” or “Tyler Test Screens”.
Other methods of size analysis may be used, particularly in the case of very fine
and/or cohesive powders. These methods include photo sedimentation, optical
microscopy, electrical sensing zone techniques (such as the Coulter counter),
and laser diffraction spectrometry.

Maximum Particle Size

Maximum particle size is the maximum dimension in inches (in the case of lumpy
materials) or the maximum sieve size (in the case of powders and granules) of
the largest lump or particle in the bulk material. Maximum particle size can be
critical in the design of pneumatic conveying systems.

Median Particle Size

The median size of mid-point of the particle distribution.

Particle Shape

The shape and form of the particles of a bulk material can very considerably. The
following table specifically describes the individual particle shape only and not
the bulk material as a whole.

Term Definition
Needle-like Long, thin, rigid, straight and pointed.
Angular Sharp edged or having a multi-faced,
irregular shape.
Crystalline Of geometric shape or multi-faced
regular shape.
Dendritic Having a branched, crystalline shape
with the branches extending from the
faces of the body.
Fibrous Regularly or irregularly thread like with
a flexible structure.
Term Definition
Flaky Plate-like
Spherical Globe-like
Out-of-Round Similar to Spherical but being
somewhat deformed or elongated.
Cylindrical Cylinder-shaped
Agglomerated Several individual particles bended
together.

Bulk Material Composition

The following table describes the general compositions that may be found and
shape.

Term Definition
Uniform A single bulk material whose particles
possess the same size and shape.
Non-uniform A single bulk material whose particle
size : and shape may vary.
Granular A bulk material comprised of individual
particles which can be visibly
discerned.
Powder A bulk material comprised of individual
particles which cannot be visibly
discerned
Mixed Two or more different bulk materials
which have been combined.

Flow ability

Flow ability is the case with which a bulk material flows under the influence of
gravity only.

Cohesiveness

Cohesiveness described the tendency of a material to adhere to itself. The

cohesiveness of a bulk solid material can be caused by any and sometimes by all
of several factors. These include electrostatic charging, surface tension effects,
and interlocking of certain particle shapes, particularly fibrous types of materials.
Cohesiveness in bulk solids causes erratic flow from bins, pipeline feeding
problems and adverse effects in certain kinds of valves.
Adhesiveness

Adhesiveness can be described as “external cohesiveness” --- that is, the ability
of a material to adhere to other surfaces.

Fluidised

Fluidised describes the state some bulk materials achieve when a gas has been
entrained into the void spaces between the particles of the material. Material in a
highly – fluidised state ends to behave more like a fluid (as the term implies) than
a solid bulk material.

Aeration

The action of introducing air (or gas) to a bulk material by any means
Aeration may cause the material to become fluidised or agitated.

Angle of Repose

The angle of repose of a bulk material is the angle between the horizontal and
the sloping surface of a heap of the material which has been allowed to form
naturally without any conditioning, usually by gravity flow from a funnel or other
similar device.

Hardness

A property of a solid material which contributes to its overall abrasiveness. The

harder a material is, generally, the greater the erosion for a given velocity on a
pipeline. Hardness is difficult to quantity and is somewhat subjective when
described. Moh’s scale of Hardness is used to describe the materials when
designing pneumatic conveying systems.

Abrasiveness

The abrasiveness of a material is determined by its hardness factor and the

shape of its particles. A material which has, for instance, a high Moh’s hardness
factor and his sharp, angular-shaped particles will be considered highly abrasive.

Material Temperature

Generally, most bulk materials are handled at ambient temperature conditions.

However, in some cases, the material may be at an elevated temperature.
Elevated temperature can affect both the condition of the material it sell and its
surroundings --- particularly the equipment that is being used to convey it. Care
should be taken, when considering high temp.
Erature materials, that the temperature range is clearly and accurately stated,
and any effects on the material (particularly its handling characteristics) should
be noted.

o o
The temperature of the bulk material, measured in F. or C., for purposes of
pneumatic conveying design, is the material temperature taken at the point of
entry to the system.

Material Temperature Sensitivity

The temperature at which a bulk material changes its characteristics.

Hygroscopicity

The ability of a material to absorb moisture from its surroundings. Moisture may
be absorbed from either the ambient air (especially during high humidity
conditions) or the conveying air of the pneumatic system.

Explosiveness

In certain conditions, some bulk materials can form potentially explosive mixtures
when combined with air. These conditions depend on (a) the nature of the
material itself, which would include its ignition temperature, its chemical reaction
with oxygen, its particle size distribution, and so on; and (b) the nature of the
operation involving the material.

Details of explosion risk, reactivity, and fire hazard are now required by law in
most sta tes in the U.S. to be listed on the Material Safety Data Sheet
(MSDS).The MSDS must accompany any material which is transported stored
or tested.

In all cases involving explosive materials, reference should be made to NFPA

classifications.

Corrosiveness

Some materials have chemical properties which will, when combined with other
materials such as moisture and air, cause chemical deterioration to materials of
construction.
Friability

Friability describes a bulk material where particles are crumbled or pulverised.

Permeability

The permeability of a bulk material is the degree to which air (or other gas) may
be passed through the void spaces between the particles of the material.

Air Retention

Air retention is the ability of a material to retain air (or other gas) in the void
spaces of the material after the air (for gas) supply to it has been terminated. Air
retention capability can vary between almost zero and several days, depending
upon the material’s other physical characteristics.

2. BASIC TERMS AND DEFINITIONS

Material Mass Flow Rate

The mass of material conveyed over a specified period of time, usually

expressed in tons/hour or lbs./minute. Material mass flow rate is also called
conveying rate or system capacity.

Actual Gas Velocity

Actual gas velocity is the volume flow rate at pressure and temperature
conditions per unit cross-sectional area of the empty pipe, normally expressed in
distance/time. Actual gas velocity varies throughout the entire length of the
pipeline.

Saltation Velocity

The saltation velocity of a material is the actual gas velocity in a horizontal

pipeline at which particles in a homogeneous mixture with the conveying gas will
begin to fall out of the gas stream.

Chocking Velocity

The chocking velocity of a material is the actual gas velocity in a vertical pipeline
at which particles in a homogeneous mixture with the conveying gas settle out of
the gas stream.
Minimum Conveying Velocity

The minimum conveying velocity is the lowest gas velocity that can be used to
insure stable conveying conditions. Since the minimum conveying velocity occurs
at the material feed point in the system, it is also known as the “pick-up” velocity.
These terms are generally applied to dilute phase systems.

Terminal Gas Velocity

The terminal gas velocity in a pneumatic conveying system is the velocity of the
gas as it exists the system. It is also known as the ending gas velocity and
conveying line exit velocity.

Average Gas Velocity

The average (also called mean) gas velocity of a system is usually defined as the
mean of the beginning (or pick-up) gas velocity and the terminal gas velocity.

Material velocity

The material velocity is the velocity of the material itself. Which is somewhat
lower than the gas velocity. Material velocity is usually specified as either
average (or mean) velocity or terminal velocity.

There are no reliable means, at the present time, for measuring the actual
material velocity, and only an estimate can be made.

Volumetric Gas Flow

The user should be aware that there are several different terms used when
considering volumetric gas flow. The volumetric gas rate during conveying is
expressed as “free air delivered,” or FAD. Most air movers, such as blowers and
compressors, are specified in terms of FAD, measured in standard cubic feet per
minute (SCFM).

FAD is the volumetric gas flow at the suction port of a positive pressure blower or
compressor or at the discharge port of a vacuum blower or vacuum pump. SCFM
is the gas flow rate at standard atmospheric conditions (i.e., Barometric pressure
0
at sea level, 68 F, and 36% relative humidity).

Actual cubic feet per minute (ACFM) or inlet cubic feet per minute (ICFM) is the
volumetric gas flow at the actual conditions that will be experienced where
compressor or blower is located. The ACFM or ICFM must be calculated from the
SCFM, taking into account elevation of the location and maximum summertime
ambient conditions.
In the case of vacuum systems, the pressure drop of the system must also be
taken into account when calculating the gas at the inlet of the blower.

Conveying Pressure

The conveying pressure for any system is that required to overcome resist
ances in the system caused by interactions between the conveying gas, the
material being conveyed, the pipeline, and other system components. It is also
referred to as “pressure drop”.

The conveying pressure is the difference measured between the beginning and
the end of the pneumatic system and is applicable to both positive pressure and
vacuum (negative pressure) systems.

Two Phase Flow

All bulk solid materials pneumatic conveying systems operate on a two-phase

flow principle. That is, a solid phase (the materials being conveyed) and the
gaseous phase (the conveying gas).

Dilute Phase Conveying

A dilute phase system is any pneumatic conveying system for which the
conveying gas velocity is generally equal to or above the saltation velocity of the
material being conveyed.

Dense Phase Conveying

A dense phase system is any pneumatic conveying system for which the
conveying gas velocity is generally below the saltation velocity of the material
conveyed.

Material To Air Ratio

A parameter used by pneumatic system designers. It is the ratio of the mass of

material conveyed to mass of conveying gas used. It is also referred to as “phase
density”, “solids loading ratio”, and “mass flow ratio”.

Flotation Velocity

The flotation velocity is the velocity at which material will be suspended in air.
Knowing flotation velocity is critical to determining “enclosure velocity”, which is
the upward velocity of gas in a filter receiver or bin vent. This term is typically
used in the design of bag-houses and dust collection systems.