Working mode of pneumatic conveying bin pump (also known as bin pump)

Pneumatic Conveying Silo Pump: A Detailed Explanation of Its Structure, Principle and Applications. The pneumatic conveying silo pump (also known as the silo pump) is the core equipment of dense-phase pneumatic conveying systems, mainly used to convey powdered materials such as cement, fly ash, pulverized coal, and mineral powder to designated locations (such as storage silos, blast furnace injection tanks, etc.) through compressed air. With advantages like high conveying efficiency, low energy consumption, and no dust pollution, it is widely applied in industries such as power, metallurgy, building materials, and chemical engineering.

 I. Core Classification of Pneumatic Conveying Silo Pumps. Based on differences in working methods and structures, silo pumps can be divided into three categories: single-chamber pump, double-chamber pump, and multi-chamber pump. Different types are suitable for different conveying capacities and continuity requirements. Type Structural Features Working Mode Applicable Scenarios Single-chamber pump Single storage silo + fluidization device + discharge valve, simple structure Intermittent operation (cycle of loading → pressurization → conveying → depressurization) Medium and small conveying capacity (≤50t/h), short-distance conveying (≤100m) Double-chamber pump Two storage silos in parallel, sharing air source and conveying pipeline Alternating operation (one silo conveys while the other loads) Medium to high conveying capacity (50-100t/h), continuous conveying requirements Multi-chamber pump Combination of 3 or more storage silos, coordinated and controlled via PLC Rotating operation of multiple silos to achieve near-continuous conveying Large conveying capacity (≥100t/h), long-distance conveying (≥200m) 

 II. Basic Structural Components of Silo Pumps. Regardless of the type, the core structure of a silo pump is designed around the functions of "material storage - fluidization - conveying", and is mainly composed of the following components: (1) Main Body Components 1. Silo Body (Storage Tank) • Core Function: Stores the powdered materials to be conveyed, usually in a cylindrical structure with conical heads at the top and bottom. The material is selected based on material characteristics: Q235B carbon steel (for ordinary materials) or 304 stainless steel (for corrosive materials). • Key Design: A feed inlet is provided at the top of the silo body (equipped with a feed valve such as a bell valve or gate valve), a fluidization cone is provided at the bottom (to guide materials to the discharge outlet), and a level gauge (ultrasonic or radio frequency type, to monitor the material level in the silo) is installed on the side. 2. Fluidization Device • Function: "Fluidizes" the powdered materials in the silo (similar to the flow state of a liquid) to reduce conveying resistance, which is the core of the efficient conveying of the silo pump. • Composition: Includes a fluidization disc (installed at the bottom of the silo body, composed of a porous plate + a breathable layer; the breathable layer is commonly made of silicon carbide or canvas) and a fluidization air pipe (connected to the compressed air source, supplying low-pressure air to the fluidization disc).

 3. Discharge System • Discharge Valve: Controls the on-off of material conveying; commonly uses a ball valve or butterfly valve, requiring good sealing and wear resistance (can be lined with ceramics or hard alloy). • Discharge Pipe: Connects the silo body to the main conveying pipeline; the pipe diameter is designed according to the conveying capacity (usually DN80-DN200), and the pipeline elbows are made of wear-resistant materials (such as bimetallic composite pipes). 4. Air Source and Control System • Air Source: Uses a screw air compressor to provide compressed air, matched with a dryer and filter (to remove moisture and impurities and avoid clogging the fluidization disc). • Control System: Consists of a PLC control cabinet, solenoid valves, and pressure transmitters, which automatically control the timing of processes such as feeding, pressurization, fluidization, and conveying.