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Recycled Carpet Material Flow Test

The AirSweep system uses powerful air pulses to break apart material blocks without damaging the vessel. This has many practical applications in the plant, from improving material flow to cleaning bins, chutes and ducts of any debris.

This video shows how AirSweep can be used to clean dirty air ducts (represented by a 21” x 33” diameter oval drum). One AirSweep VA-06 unit was centered at the bottom. The drum was filled with recycled carpet materials, which have a tendency to stick together 

To collect the dust, a vacuum was set at 179 CFM.

Without the AirSweep, the dust particles clumped or settled along the vessel walls. This would eventually block the air duct.

The AirSweep breaks the clumps and sweeps the dust back into the flow stream.  

Contact us to find out more about how the AirSweep can be integrated into your plant for better flow and faster cleaning. 

De-germed, De-branned Corn Material Flow Test

AirSweep is the best pneumatic flow aid for tough material flow problems. It can handle challenging powders like titanium dioxide and bulk solids like sticky liquid cheese. In this video, we’ll show you how it deals with dry, caked compounds too.

Half a gallon of water was added to corn grits (DDC) and sprayed along the vessel walls. The mixture was left in the hopper, which was sealed for three days. The plant environment had an average temperature of 73°F and humidity levels of 61%.

After three days, the mixture had caked into a hard and moldy block.

Four AirSweep VA-06 units were mounted on the hopper, at 90 degrees apart. The operating pressure was set to 60 PSI. The air pulses broke the hardened corn grit mixture into fine powders, and cleared the vessel.

Cleaning Vessel Walls with AirSweep Material Flow Test

AirSweep can be used to quickly clean material residue from vessel walls. This can be done between batch runs, to improve plant productivity and product quality.

• Reduce downtime from manual cleaning
• Preserve product integrity and consistency, particularly when using the same vessel for different formulas
• Prevent contamination and spoilage

This video demonstrates how the AirSweep system can sweep a vessel completely clean in just a few seconds.

Read more about what happened when companies replaced manual cleaning systems with AirSweep:

• One of the world’s largest milk formula manufacturers uses AirSweep to improve material flow and automate cleaning. “We went from 40 hours to 10 hours in cleaning time!”
• A US manufacturer of spice and flavor products saved $200,000 from flush material reduction alone

Cement Mix Material Flow Test

The AirSweep Straight Shooter models deliver a focused column of air directly in front of the nozzle. It can be mounted with standard pipe elbows and fittings to point in any direction.

The Straight Shooter can be used to clear material from troughs, ducts, or any areas that are hard to reach.

Straight Shooter models can be used on any material

The powerful air pulses lift even heavy materials, and leave no residue on walls. In this video, two AirSweep Straight Shooter VA-12 models were attached to a trough. It was tested on two heavy bulk powders: leveling cement mix, and damp sand. After just a few pulses, the trough was completely cleared.

The AirSweep Straight Shooter is available in all standard AirSweep sizes (3/4″, 1-1/2″ and 2″). There are also USDA-accepted models for sanitary applications.

Should I get a standard AirSweep or a Straight Shooter?

Watch this video to find out more about the difference between the two products. You can also contact us and we’ll be happy to recommend the best system for your needs.

Wheat Gluten Powder Material Flow Test

Wheat gluten is used in many industries: food and beverage, health and personal care products, pharmaceuticals and animal feeds.

Wheat gluten has good water retention and texture stabilizing properties. It is often added to low-gluten or whole grain flours like rye or oat, or to food products like instant noodles. Because of the vitamins and minerals in wheat, it is also added to animal feed and skincare products.

However, wheat gluten can be prone to bridging, arching and other material flow problems. This video shows how it clogs up the mouth of the vessel, and has to be hammered free.

However, AirSweep pneumatic flow aids are particularly effective for these types of bulk powders. Four AirSweep VA-04 units were installed 4” and 10” above the discharge, and spaced 90 degrees apart. Once they were turned on, the wheat gluten powder flowed freely, even when the discharge size was shortened from 4” to 1.5”

AirSweep also has USDA-accepted models that meet the sanitary requirements of food and pharmaceutical industries. The air-tight nozzle also eliminates material feedback, so none of the powders fly back into the nozzle. This minimizes cleaning and maintenance, and prevents damage to the system.

While the AirSweep VA-06 units are meant for smaller vessels, there are models available for large silos, bins and cones.

Peanut Dust Material Flow Test

Many food ingredients such as peanuts can be prone to flow issues: arching, ratholing, caking, and clinging to vessel walls. These can lead to production delays and product losses, affect batch uniformity, and cause issues like cross-contamination or spoilage.

AirSweep material activation systems can help promote on-demand flow of peanut products and other food ingredients. The AirSweep® USDA-accepted models are also designed to meet strict sanitation standards, further protecting product quality and safety.

Organic Natural Fiber Blend (Ultrafine) Material Flow Test

Natural fibers are used to make fabric, construction and insulation materials, and packaging. While they are a cost-effective, environmentally-friendly material, they are prone to arching, bridging and ratholing issues. AirSweep can cut through material blocks to promote smooth, on-demand flow. It can be used with any form of natural fibers, including LCF blends or raw LCF. Watch the material flow test to see AirSweep’s power and efficiency.

Chopped Tobacco Material Flow Test

AirSweep® pneumatic flow aids are ideal for promoting the flow of irregularly-shaped, dry and light bulk solids. These include chips, fibers, flakes, and shavings. This material flow test shows how the AirSweep® VA-06 model works on chopped tobacco.

The AirSweep® VA-06 model is ideal for small bins, hoppers, chutes, and mixers. It activates up to 3 feet diameter of material. Other units are available for larger vessels.

Cheerios Material Flow Test

In this Cheerios material flow test, you can see how AirSweep promotes on-demand flow even in imperfect conditions. The plant humidity levels can cause cereal (or similar materials) to clump and stick together, and the vessel outlets are narrowed. However, a few pulses of AirSweep completely clear the vessels without crushing the cereal.

LCF Blend Material Flow Test

Natural fibers have a number of industrial and commercial applications. These are made into fabric, construction and insulation materials, and packaging. Special, environmentally-friendly geo-textiles are also used to prevent soil erosion or improve composting.

However, natural fibers have a tendency to clump together and cause arching, bridging and ratholing issues. AirSweep can cut through material blocks to promote smooth, on-demand flow.