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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.

Peanut Oil Stock Material Flow Test

Many ingredients used in the food industry have a high oil or moisture content. This can lead to caking, arching, bridging and ratholing. It can also cling to vessel walls, which could lead to spoilage and cross-contamination. AirSweep can resolve these issues quickly and efficiently—as seen in this peanut oil material flow test.

The Setup

Peanuts oil stock was poured into a bin with a 4” diameter discharge. Humidity levels in the plant were 53%.

The AirSweep System

Four AirSweep VA-06 units, placed 90 degrees apart

Challenge

The peanut oil stock was mixed with water, and then packed with a wooden block. Tests showed very sluggish material flow. The bin discharge was completely clogged, and hammering only released a few clumps.

The AirSweep system was switched on. The powerful air nozzles swept the peanut oil back into the flow stream, and in less than 20 seconds, the vessel was completely cleared of material.

Corn Bran Fibre & Corn Germ Meal Material Flow Test

Food manufacturing plants often deal with powders and bulk materials that have a high tendency of packing, bridging, arching and ratholing. What kind of flow aid can break material blocks and promote first-in/first-out flow, to prevent delays and food spoiling issues?

AirSweep pneumatic flow aids are especially effective for material blocks for problematic flow issues in the food industry—as proven in this Material Flow test for Corn Bran Fiber and Defatted Corn Germ Meal.

Corn Bran / Corn Meal: Applications

Corn bran and defatted corn germ meal are used in many baked goods, processed meats, dairy products, and condiments. It is added as a flour substitute or fat mimetic, or to increase the product’s fiber content. It is often mixed with other flours and milk proteins.

AirSweep USDA-accepted Flow Aids

The AirSweep USDA models are engineered to meet the strict safety and sanitation standards that food plants must follow. The powerful bursts of air break through material blocks and ensure continuous on-demand flow. The nozzles shut close after each pulse to prevent material feedback and contamination.

AirSweep is safe…. and powerful. See it for yourself with the Corn Bran and Corn Meal material flow test. You can also read how AirSweep helped an agribusiness company used the AirSweep to improve their bulk bag filling system.

Recycled Material Flow Test

During the manufacturing process, scrap material that has either been rejected or trimmed off can be collected and sent back to the grinder. Reusing recycled material is good for the environment and the bottom line – but it does pose a material flow challenge.

Any recycled material has a heat history that affects its physical, chemical and flow properties. Bridging, arching, ratholing are common. However, many flow aids are unable to activate this bulk material. Fluidizers do not have the pressure or volume. Vibrators can cause it to settle and compact. Air cannons are too expensive to operate round-the-clock, and the recoil can cause long-term damage to the vessel.

AirSweep can help provide smooth, first-in/first out on-demand flow of all bulk solids, including recycled material. Watch proof of the flow in this video.

Liquid Cheese Blend Material Flow Test

Put down the hammer—we have a better way to get rid of build-up of whey and other cheese products from your bins, silos and other vessels.

AirSweep® uses high pressure, high-volume, 360° bursts of compressed air to slice through material blocks and sweep it back into the flow stream. Each unit activates up to 2.44 m diameters of material.

Watch our video of AirSweep® cutting through a thick liquid cheese blend.

You can also read about how AirSweep helped a cheese company resolve bridging, even when the cheese was treated with lecithin.

Powdered Hydrated Lime Material Flow Test

Hydrated lime is a surprisingly versatile material, used to make both bricks and better tortillas.

Lime is used to make sugar and purify sugar from other sources like maple. It is added to milk to produce butter or convert it into skim milk. It can be added to whey to form calcium lactate, which can be used for other products. Lime is also used to treat waste materials and to manufacture refractory bricks.

AirSweep pneumatic material flow aids are very effective for bulk powders and materials like hydrated lime. Watch the video to see how the AirSweep system can help prevent material blocks and promote on-demand material flow.

Powdered Hemp Material Flow Test

Hemp is a versatile material that is used in many kinds of commercial and industrial products. The fibers are woven into fabrics that are used for clothes, shoes, bags or furniture. Thicker fibers are used in mulch or animal beddings.

Hemp is also used in the construction industry. Hemp and lime blocks are used for insulation. Hemp walls are also gaining popularity as a “green building material” because they are durable and allow a natural flow of air, thus decreasing energy consumption.

The uses for hemp are growing, but what can keep it flowing? AirSweep is one of the best pneumatic flow aids for bulk materials like hemp. Watch the video to see how the powerful air pulses clear the vessel in seconds.