Factors To Consider When Sourcing Pneumatic Conveying Systems For Powders That Are Difficult To Move

It’s important to know before purchasing or repurposing a pneumatic conveying system whether the materials may be difficult to convey. Although it is a challenge to move difficult powders with a pneumatic conveying system, it’s not impossible.

“Difficult powders” are materials with poor flow properties that don’t want to move. Cohesive and lightweight powders such as carbon black ultra fine particles, non-granular powdered sugar, and calcium carbonate, and substances known in the industry as “conveying mud” — iron oxide, zinc oxide, and toner — are very fine and sticky and difficult to convey at 2,000-5,000 lbs/hr, rates typical in many industries.