Pneumatic conveying vessel pump (also known as vessel pump) working method

Pneumatic Conveying Vessel Pump: Structure, Principle, and Applications in Detail The pneumatic conveying vessel pump (also known as a vessel pump) is the core equipment of a dense-phase pneumatic conveying system, primarily used to transport powdered materials such as cement, fly ash, pulverized coal, and mineral powder to designated locations (e.g., storage silos, blast furnace injection tanks) via compressed air. With advantages such as high conveying efficiency, low energy consumption, and no dust pollution, it is widely used in industries like power generation, metallurgy, building materials, and chemicals.

 I. Core Classification of Pneumatic Conveying Vessel Pumps Based on working methods and structural differences, vessel pumps can be divided into three main categories: single-vessel pumps, double-vessel pumps, and multi-vessel pumps, each type catering to different conveying capacities and continuity requirements. Type Structural Features Working Mode Applicable Scenarios Single-Vessel Pump Single storage bin + fluidization device + discharge valve, simple structure Intermittent operation (loading → pressurization → conveying → depressurization cycle) Small to medium conveying capacity (≤50t/h), short-distance (≤100m) conveying Double-Vessel Pump Two storage bins in parallel, sharing air source and conveying pipeline Alternating operation (one bin conveys while the other loads) Medium to high conveying capacity (50-100t/h), continuous conveying requirements Multi-Vessel Pump Combination of 3 or more storage bins, coordinated via PLC control Multi-bin rotation operation, achieving near-continuous conveying Large conveying capacity (≥100t/h), long-distance (≥200m) conveying 

 II. Basic Structural Components of Vessel Pumps Regardless of type, the core structure of a vessel pump is designed around the functions of "storage - fluidization - conveying" and mainly consists of the following components: (I) Main Components 1. Vessel (Storage Tank) • Core Function: Stores powdered materials to be conveyed, typically cylindrical in structure (with conical heads at top and bottom), with material selection based on material properties (Q235B carbon steel for ordinary materials or 304 stainless steel for corrosive materials). • Key Design: The top of the vessel is equipped with an inlet (fitted with an inlet valve, such as a flap valve or gate valve), the bottom has a fluidization cone (to guide material toward the discharge outlet), and the side is fitted with a level sensor (ultrasonic or RF type to monitor material level inside the vessel). 2. Fluidization Device • Function: Fluidizes the powdered material inside the vessel (similar to a liquid flow state), reducing conveying resistance, which is key to the vessel pump's high efficiency. • Composition: Includes a fluidization plate (installed at the bottom of the vessel, made of porous plate + permeable layer, with permeable layer often made of silicon carbide or canvas) and a fluidization air pipe (connected to the compressed air source to supply low-pressure air to the fluidization plate).

 3. Discharge System • Discharge Valve: Controls the on/off of material conveying, commonly using ball valves or butterfly valves, requiring good sealing and wear resistance (may be lined with ceramic or hard alloy). • Discharge Pipe: Connects the vessel to the main conveying pipeline, with pipe diameter designed based on conveying capacity (typically DN80-DN200), and pipe elbows made of wear-resistant materials (e.g., bimetal composite pipes). 4. Air Source and Control System • Air Source: Uses screw air compressors to provide compressed air, accompanied by dryers and filters (to remove moisture and impurities, preventing clogging of the fluidization plate). • Control System: Consists of a PLC control cabinet, solenoid valves, and pressure transmitters to automatically control the timing of processes such as loading, pressurization, fluidization, and conveying.