Effect of oscillating soft fins on particle motion in a horizontal pneumatic conveying

A horizontal pneumatic conveying by using oscillating soft fins to touching particle streams in the inlet of the gas–particle mixture is experimentally studied, to reduce power consumption and conveying velocity. The effect of different fin’s lengths and fin’s arrangement on a pneumatic conveying is evaluated in terms of the pressure drop, conveying velocity, power consumption coefficient, additional pressure drop, particle concentration, particle velocity and intensity of particle fluctuation velocity. Because the oscillating fins directly touch particle streams, the pressure drop, the MPD (minimum pressure drop) and critical velocities, power consumption coefficient and additional pressure drop can be largely reduced comparing to the conventional pneumatic conveying. It is found that the pressure drop, power consumption coefficient and additional pressure drop are reduced and are almost independent on the fins’ length and fins’ arrangement (horizontal or vertical). The maximum reduction rates of the MPD velocity, critical velocity and power consumption coefficient by using soft fins are about 15%, 13% and 23%, respectively. The length of fins effects on the MPD and critical velocities, but the difference of MPD velocity between the vertical and horizontal fins is very small. In the acceleration regime, particle velocity and particle fluctuation energy of fins are larger than those of the no-fin even though the conveying velocities of fins are lower than those of non-fin. It indicates that the oscillating fins play an important role to accelerate particles in the acceleration region for realizing low conveying velocity and steady pneumatic conveying.

► A pneumatic conveying by using oscillating fins was experimentally studied. ► The effect of fin’s length and arrangement on the pressure drop and particle velocity was measured. ► The pressure drop can be largely reduced and is independent on fins’ length and arrangement. ► Particle velocity becomes large by using fins in the acceleration regime. ► The low conveying velocity and steady pneumatic conveying are realized by using fins.