Understanding Fluidization

Fluidizing solid materials is the method of introducing pressurized air into the material, which causes the particles to separate and move. Once the particles are separated by these small gaps of air, the amount of friction between them is greatly reduced, and this allows the solid material to flow as if it were a fluid.

Most powdered and small grain materials can be fluidized and moved using an air slide conveyor. The basic requirements are that the material is dry and consistent, meaning no lumps or large particles. The particle size must be similar to table salt (500 microns) or smaller. Particles larger than that will have trouble being fluidized.

Most materials require a minimum of a 5 degree decline for the air slide to function properly, with a 10 degree decline recommended for maximum efficiency. Many customers are willing to sacrifice a little efficiency to save space, therefore we design many of our systems for an 8 degree decline.

Air Slide Construction

All of our air slides are fabricated with the following features:

• 10 ga steel construction of upper and lower bodies
• 1/4" steel end flanges
• 1/4" fluidization media (fabric)
• 2" NPT air inlet with ball valve on each section
• 4" dia. top access cover latched with seal
• Bottom cleanout covers
• Exterior is painted with industrial enamel, while the interior is painted with a rust resistant primer

System Design

Air slide conveyors can be used in a single straight run, but are equally as effective when used in large systems. Through the use of turn boxes, conveyors can easily change directions, merge, or split without the need for powered conveyors or diverters. Manual or powered shut off gates can be integrated into any point of the system to control flow.

The maximum range of the conveyors are limited only by the height of the source. Conveyors require a minimum of a 5 degree drop angle to function properly. A 10 degree angle is recommended for most applications. For every 20 ft of horizontal run, a 10 degree conveyor will drop 3 and a half feet.

Air slide conveyors also utilize traditional conveyor components such as diverter gates, flow controls, shut-off gates, and discharge chutes. Air slide technology can also be applied to your existing or newly manufactured storage bins.