Aerocon Aero-Mechanical Conveyors

Overview

Nominal headspace? Need to transfer materials around corners and vertically? A VAC-U-MAX Aerocon system may be the answer for you.

Aero-mechanical conveying utilizes both pneumatic and mechanical conveying to offer bulk material handling solutions that cross the traditional boundaries of each technology. Often used in food, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and chemical applications, aero-mechanical conveying is a gentle, efficient, cost-effective way to quickly transfer bulk materials—especially in challenging spaces.

While pneumatic conveying is by far the most hygienic conveying method for dry bulk powders, there are instances where mechanical conveying may be a better choice: processing facilities with nominal headroom above their equipment; a need for high-speed transfer with minimal energy consumption; and transferring friable materials.

Features

AEROCON SYSTEM FEATURES & BENEFITS

• Versatile: Move powders, granules, pellets, flakes, seeds, beads, beans, and more. Aerocon aero-conveyors can handle an impressively wide range of bulk densities from 5 to 200 pounds per cubic foot, particle sizes from 5 microns to ½ inch, and powder properties from free-flowing to cohesive – all handled by the same aero-conveying system.
• Dust-Free & Sanitary: Aero-conveying is an enclosed system, preventing contamination and ensuring dust-free transfer. The Aerocon also offers Clean-in-Place technology, making it an excellent choice for food processing, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, cosmetics, and chemical manufacturing.
• Adaptable & Flexible: Low overhead? Need to move material vertically? Around corners? No problem. Aero-mechanical conveyors can handle floor level loading, multi-plane handling (horizontally and vertically), conveying around corners, and any angle from 0 to 180 degrees. Systems can also be easily reconfigured to suit new applications, should the need arise.
• Gentle Handling: Bulk ingredients are conveyed cleanly without segregation, and gently to avoid product degradation. Excellent for mixes, friable, and fragile materials.
• High Throughput: Aero-mechanical conveying is powerful and fast, conveying up to 2000 pounds in 10 minutes, and is ideal for batch conveying.
• Cost & Energy Efficient: Aero-mechanical conveyors are known for being a highly-efficient, cost-effective method of conveying dry solids. They are economical to run and—depending on the design of the conveyor—the cost of a mechanical conveyor can be one third of that of a pneumatic conveyor for the same output.
• Low Maintenance: Aero-mechanical conveying systems are easy to maintain. VAC-U-MAX Aerocon conveyors are engineered with bi-directional tensioning system that is independent of the drive assembly, offering easy clean self-draining housings. Our systems also offer Clean-in-Place technology.

How it Works

THE BASICS

An Aerocon Aero-Conveyor is constructed of two parallel tubular housings (typically 3″ or 4″ tubes) containing a continuous loop of steel cable. Polymer discs smaller than inside diameter of the tubes are mounted at equal intervals along the steel cable. One side of the housing is for conveying, and the other is for return. Material inlets and outlets are suitably located for the application.

Material entering the inlet is moved in a fluidized form, by pockets of air between the discs, further aided mechanically by movement of the discs. Controlling the velocity of the cable assembly determines the nature of conveying and movement of the product.

Capacities depend on many factors; however, as a general rule the following guidelines can be used:

Learn more about aero-mechanical conveying technology on our Aerocon page →

Aerocon Systems

AEROCON SYSTEMS

• Basic Up-and-In Series 200: The original and most simple application of aero-conveying! Product is fed into the sprocket end from a controlled feed, then transferred in a straight line to a discharge point where it’s offloaded under centrifugal force. This option offers high volume, high linear velocity, lean phase conveying and is suitable for non-friable products.
• Multi-Plane Series 400: For applications requiring both vertical and horizontal conveying, Aerocon 400 Series conveyors are configured with a single drive motor and 90-degree turn sprockets. They can be used for lean or medium phase conveying (employing either sprocket or two-speed systems) and are suitable for semi-friable materials.
• Multi-Plane Distribution Series 500: The 500 Series was developed for applications where multiple inlets and/or outlets are required or in tight, obstructed, or angled spaces where the layout does not permit the standard close coupling of conveying tubes. This series can accommodate bag frames, bag dump stations, discharge from mixers, and combinations thereof. It can be used to feed multiple packing machines, hoppers, reactors, and so on. The versatile 500 Series can be set to either lean or medium phase conveying and is suitable for both non- and semi-friable products.
• Long Radius Sweep Bend Service Series 300: Particularly useful for handling the most friable of materials. Limited to changes of plane not exceeding 60, this slow speed, dense phase method of conveying still maintains enough velocity to achieve some aeration, yet handles products such as rolled oats, bran flakes, and similar friable products with care.
• Combination Systems: VAC-U-MAX Aerocon engineers can tailor aero-mechanical conveying systems to almost any application, balancing the highest possible throughputs with the lowest levels of product degradation. We have created systems for clients worldwide and across all industries, transferring and distributing a wide range of products—including teas, coffee, cake mixes, filter agents, and plastic compounds—to a variety of packing machines, reactor vessels, mixers, and more.