Study on the Simple Calculation Method of Pneumatic Conveying
System Specifications:
Conveyed Material: X fine powder
Bulk Density of Conveyed Material: 0.55 × Particle Diameter 0.12mm
Air Piping from Blower to Rotary Feeder Device (Clean Air):
Straight Pipe: 60 meters
Elbows: 8 locations
From Rotary Feeder Device to Distributor:
Horizontal Conveying Distance: Lh = 60M
Vertical Conveying Distance: Lv = 33M
90-degree Elbows: 7 locations
45-degree Elbows: 1 location
Branch Pipes for Conveyed Material: 5 locations
Conveying Capacity of Material: Ws = 10,000Kg/Hr
Airflow for Conveying (Wa): (Qa) = 13.
Current Blower Capacity: 20M3/min
Specific Weight of Air (λa): 1.2Kg/M3
Conveying Air Velocity (Va): 16–24M/S ≒ 20M/S (Reference: “Powder and Granular Material Transport Technology,” Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, Pipeline Transport Equipment, Page 240)
Mixture Ratio (μs): (Γ) = 10,000 ÷ 60 ÷ 1.2 ÷ 20 ≒ 7 (Reference: “Powder and Granular Material Transport, Storage and Supply,” Chemical Industry Publishing, Air Transport Machine Design Guidelines, Page 39)
Conveying Method: Blow-type
Inner Diameter of Conveying Pipe (ϕDa): √(4Qa ÷ 60πVa) = 0.146M ≒ 151mm (6-inch SCH40 Pipe) (Reference: “Powder and Granular Material Transport Technology,” Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, Pipeline Transport Equipment, Page 241)
Conveying Air Velocity (M/s): Approx. 20M/S
Material Supply Method: Intermittent Supply by Rotary Feeder (Airlock)
Pressure Loss (ΔP):P=Pair+Pac+Pm+Psep+Pex+Pb
ΔPair: Pressure loss in air piping from blower outlet to rotary feeder device
ΔPac: Acceleration loss
ΔPm: Pressure loss in conveying pipe
ΔPsep: Pressure loss in bag filter (not considered as it is a blow system)
ΔPex: Pressure loss in cyclone dust collector (not considered as it is a blow system)
ΔPb: Exhaust loss (pressure loss from bag filter to auxiliary fan)
Considering a 15–20% increase in pressure loss based on experience:
2870 × 1.2 = 3444mmaq → Sufficient for transport.
Blower Power Calculation:
20 × 3500 ÷ 6120 ÷ 0.6 ÷ 0.74 ≒ 25.8Hp
Can be operated with 25Hp to 30Hp.
Relationship Diagrams:
Airflow, Pipe Diameter, and Air Velocity
Airflow, Mixture Ratio, and Conveying Capacity
Conveying Distance, Design Factors, Pressure Loss, and Mixture Ratio
Pipe Diameter, Design Factors, and Airflow
System Pressure Loss, Power Requirements, and Airflow
Is Pressure Loss Lower than That of Standard Elbows?
Typically, SCH40 seamless steel pipes are used in pneumatic conveying systems, and the design parameters are based on this standard.
Reference Inner Pipe Diameters:
4” — 102.3mm
5” — 126.6mm
6” — 151mm
8” — 199.9mm
10” — 248.8mm
12” — 297.9mm
14” — 333.4mm
16” — 381mm
The pressure loss coefficient (ζsb) is relatively related to the curvature radius (ρ) and the inner diameter (D). Standard values based on reference materials are as follows:
Curvature Radius/Pipe Shape
Pressure Loss Coefficient
ρ/D
ζsb
2
1.5
4
0.75
6
0.5
17
0.38
Pressure Loss Coefficient (ζsb) for 20R Long Elbows:
A 20R long elbow typically has a pressure loss coefficient of around 0.50, which includes the pressure loss due to the curvature radius in the standard straight pipe.
Below is a comparison of the pressure loss differences between a 20R long elbow and a spiral wear-resistant elbow.
Verification Example:
For a 4-inch 20R long elbow:
Set air velocity V = 20M/S and mixture ratio η = 1
Curvature radius: 102.3 ÷ 2 × 20 = 1023mm
Flow distance: 2 × 1023 × π ÷ 4 = 1607mm
ζsb ≈ 0.40 (based on reference data)
Pressure Loss Calculation for a 4” 20R Long Elbow:
Pressure Loss Calculation for Spiral Wear-Resistant Elbows:
Reference Inner Pipe Diameters:
4” — 104.5mm
5” — 129.66mm
6” — 154.2mm
8” — 203.5mm
10” — 254.6mm
12” — 305.7mm
14” — 339.8mm
16” — 390.6mm
The flow distance of the spiral wear-resistant elbow is used to compare pressure loss differences.
4″ Elbow:
375 + 328 + 228 = 931mm ζsb = 931 / 104.5 = 8.91 According to reference materials, the pressure loss coefficient is below 0.50.
∵ The spiral pressurization (low pressure loss) of the spiral wear-resistant elbow reduces the coefficient to 1/√2 of its original value as it passes through the 45° spiral angle.
6″ Elbow:
465 + 484 + 292 = 1241mm ζsb = 1241 / 154.2 = 8.05 According to reference materials, the pressure loss coefficient is below 0.50.
When calculating the spiral wear-resistant elbow at 20M/S:
For the 4-inch spiral wear-resistant elbow, the internal chamber passage distance is 931mm.