Patent ID: 6447215
Filing Date: 2002-09-10
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
A method of pneumatically transporting material in a form of solid particles in a diluted phase through a conduit, wherein a varying material loading of transportation flow exists, and driving said particles along said conduit with an air flow delivered by a pressurized-air source located upstream of a material infeed position, and a transport air velocity is chosen for a maximum material load on said air flow, the method comprising the steps of:establishing for a selected transport air velocity a relationship between a free flow of said pressurized-air source and a velocity of a transport air flow, or a state of said transport air flow corresponding thereto; detecting said velocity of said transport air flow, or a state of said transport air flow corresponding thereto; detecting said free flow of said pressurized-air source either directly or indirectly; calculating a control value with respect to said velocity of said transport air, or with respect to said state of said transport air flow corresponding thereto, and said relationship; and adjusting said free air flow from said pressurized-air source to bring a real value of said velocity of said transport air flow, or said detected state, into line with said control value, to establish an operable transport air velocity which is at most substantially equal to a chosen transport air velocity for said maximum material load, even when material loads are lower than said maximum material load.