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Air Slide Conveyors: Efficient Powder Handling Solutions

What is an air slide conveyor?

Air slide conveyor is a type of pneumatic conveying equipment that relies on gravity assistance, specifically designed for short distance transportation of dry fine powder materials such as cement, fly ash, flour, etc. The core structure is a slightly inclined trough, with porous plates laid at the bottom. Low pressure air passes through the pores to make the material fluidized, thereby achieving a smooth flow similar to that of a liquid.

Characteristics of air slide convey :

Low energy consumption (only requires 0.1-0.5 bar air pressure)
No moving parts, low maintenance requirements
Gentle conveying to avoid material breakage
Only applicable to dry fine powder with good fluidity, not suitable for damp or coarse particle materials

How does an air slide work?

An air conveying chute is a device that uses airflow to transport granular materials along a pipeline. There are three types: suction type, pressure type, and hybrid type. Its working principle is to use the kinetic energy of the airflow to suspend the granular material and transport it along the pipeline with the airflow

① Suction type. After the exhaust fan is started, the entire system maintains a certain degree of vacuum. Under the action of pressure difference, the air flow causes the material to enter the suction nozzle and be sent along the conveying pipe to the separator at the discharge point. The material is separated from the air flow and discharged from the bottom of the separator. The airflow is purified by the dust collector and then discharged into the atmosphere through the muffler. The advantage is that the feeding is simple and the material can be simultaneously extracted from several sources. But the conveying distance is short and the productivity is low. High sealing requirements.

② Pressure delivery type. The blower presses air into the conveying pipe, and the material is supplied from the feeder. The mixture of air and material is conveyed along the conveying pipe to the discharge point. The material is discharged after passing through the separator, and the air is purified by the dust collector before being discharged into the atmosphere. The characteristics are opposite to the suction type, which can simultaneously transport materials to several places, with a longer conveying distance and higher productivity, but the structure is complex.

③ Mixed type. A combination of the two forms mentioned above.

Reminder: This device is not suitable for materials with large particle size, high moisture content, and poor fluidization!

What is the function of the air slide?

Efficient powder transportation: no mechanical mixing for transporting materials such as cement and alumina
Mixing homogenization: achieving uniform mixing of materials during the conveying process
Feed transfer: providing stable feed for storage warehouses, packaging machines, or downstream equipment
Energy saving advantage: significantly reduced energy consumption compared to traditional pneumatic conveying

How to Calculate Air Slide Capacity?

The capacity of an air slide conveyor depends on:

Material properties (bulk density, particle size, flowability).
Trough dimensions (width, length, slope angle).
Air pressure & permeability of the porous plate.

Basic Formula:

Capacity (tons/hour)=Width (m)×Velocity (m/s)×Bulk Density (tons/m³)×3600Capacity (tons/hour)=Width (m)×Velocity (m/s)×Bulk Density (tons/m³)×3600

Key Factors:

1.Slope Angle:

3°–6°: Standard for free-flowing powders.

8°–10°: Needed for less fluidizable materials.

2.Air Volume: Typically 1.5–3 m³/min per m² of porous plate.

3.Material Testing: Conduct flow tests to determine optimal settings.

For precise calculations, consult manufacturers or use CFD simulations for complex setups.

As professional air slide conveyor manufacturers, Darko leads the industry in providing customized conveying solutions for cement, food processing, and chemical industries. With 20 years of specialized experience, our air slide conveyors feature wear-resistant designs and core advantages including low energy consumption, minimal maintenance requirements, and stable material flow. From standard models to special condition adaptations, we deliver optimal solutions tailored to your needs. Contact our technical team anytime for personalized material handling proposals.