Finding An Air Cannon in 3 Simple Steps

Blockages are a common and critical issue in material handling and processing. Whether a silo, chute, hopper, kiln, bin or other material handling equipment, bridging, clinging, ratholing and arching are some of the common material flow problems you may experience. Slow and inefficient material flow, equipment stress and downtime are the reasons why it's critical to deal with material flow issues early enough.

Air cannons are your go-to solution here. They are blast aerators that facilitate smooth material flow. However, they come in different types. And if you are looking for one, follow these steps to get the correct type.

Step 1: Focus On The Material Being Blasted

The first step to getting the right air cannon for your silo or other material handling equipment is to analyse the materials flowing inside it. Most importantly, focus on the materials' weight and type because it will help you determine the correct amount of air pressure needed to move them when stuck. Generally, air cannons have different pressure ratings, and it's imperative to choose correctly for the best results. Naturally, bulky and sticky materials will require more pressure to move. Materials containing liquids like water or oils are also likely to create huge lumps that may call for more force to remove when stuck than their dryer and freer-flowing counterparts. Therefore, keep all these in mind when shopping for an air cannon.

Step 2: Consider The Working Environment

In what conditions will you be subjecting the air cannon? You must select an air cannon that can stand up to the conditions inside your silo, kiln, hopper, bin etc. Analyse the ambient temperature first because it's often the most critical aspect to consider when it comes to the air cannon's working environment. Some air cannons are not designed to handle extreme temperatures and may become damaged or struggle to perform optimally under excessive heat. Therefore, ensure the air cannon you select is rated for the temperatures inside your material handling equipment.

It will also help to check whether the environment is corrosive to ensure the air cannon you install doesn't give in to the corrosiveness.

Step 3: Check The Air Cannon Configurations

The last step is to check the air cannon itself for specifications that will suit your application. The critical details to assess include its size, the nozzle type, the valve system it uses and piping compatibility. It will also be essential to decide between an automatic and manual air cannon. Manual air cannons are usually more cost-effective but tend to be less convenient to use than automatic ones. 

For more information, contact a local company that sells air cannons.



Tags:
438 Words

About Me

A Guide to Industrial Equipment Welcome to my blog. My name is Eric. For the past few years, I have been researching how Australian industry operates. It has taken me many hours of self-guided study and interviews with industry insiders to reach a point where I feel comfortable starting this blog. I love the idea of being able to offer advice to others. Although I never got to work in the industrial sector, I have always taken a keen interest in it and I was very proud of the fact my father worked in an industrial unit for his entire life. I hope you like this blog!

Search

Categories