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Damp Fish Feed Pellets Material Flow Test

Material flow issues like arching, bridging and ratholing can be caused by a number of factors: moisture and humidity, the size of the particles, the size of the outlet, pressure and chemistry. In this material flow test, we create the conditions that can cause bulk materials like fish pellets to get stuck in a vessel. Can the AirSweep make it flow?

The Setup

We used fish pellets that are 10 to 13 millimeters long and 7 millimeters in diameter. These were poured into a bin with a 4” diameter discharge. Humidity levels in the plant were 52%.

The AirSweep System

Four AirSweep VA-06 units, placed 90 degrees apart

Challenge # 1

Two gallons of water were added to the pellets. The AirSweep system cleared the bin in seconds.

Challenge # 2

Two additional gallons of water were poured on the moist pellets. The material was then pounded with a wooden block to simulate common issues like packing and caking. Then, the vessel outlet was narrowed to 4 inches – increasing the difficulty of achieving continuous material flow.

Despite these challenges, the AirSweep swept the vessel completely clean with just a few powerful pulses.

Watch the material flow test to see proof of AirSweep’s power and efficiency.

Organic Natural Fiber Blends Material Flow Test

Natural fibers are a cost-effective, abundant and often environmentally-friendly material with various industrial and commercial applications. However, they have a tendency to clump together and cause arching, bridging and ratholing issues. AirSweep can help guarantee smooth, on-demand flow of natural fibers.

Natural fibers: Applications

Natural fibers can either be derived from plants (like cotton, jute, flax, bamboo, hemp or abaca) or manufactured from cellulose fibers (like viscose rayon or cellulose acetate).

They are used to make fabric, processed into construction materials like partition panels or roof tiles, or used in furniture and car interiors. Geo-textiles are also used to prevent soil erosion and improve composites. Other applications include insulation materials, packaging, and environmentally-friendly products.

AirSweep

This material flow test shows natural fibers that have become clumped and compacted. Hammering frees barely any material, but in a few seconds, AirSweep flushes the vessel completely clean.

Cellulose Flakes Material Flow Test

Keep materials flowing, and your process going, with the AirSweep® System! It is the best pneumatic flow aid for any kind of material, including flakes, fibers, powders and granules. This includes cellulose flakes, which is used in many industries.

Cellulose Flakes: Applications

Cellulose is used to make paper and card stock, and textiles like cotton, linen and rayon.

Cellulose is also widely used in food, pharmaceuticals, and nutraceuticals. Powdered cellulose can prevent caking, and is found in spice mixes, flavored drinks and grated cheese.

However, cellulose can exhibit other useful properties when mixed with water. It becomes a gel, which can thicken and stabilizes products like cheese, yogurt, ice cream and sauces. It is frequently found in health food or diet food, because it adds bulk and fiber content without affecting flavor or adding calories. Cellulose derivatives like MCC are used in medicine tablets.

Cellulose can also be processed into filter material, electrical insulation paper used in transformers and cables, and even an eco-friendly, water/fire-resistant alternative to plastic.

AirSweep:The Proof is in the Flow

AirSweep is the only pneumatic flow aid that can handle any form of cellulose—whether it’s a fine powder, or a moist gel. Watch our AirSweep® Cellulose Material Flow Test, or how it works on similar materials like resin flakes and wax flakes.

Bentonite Material Flow Test

The AirSweep® System guarantees on-demand flow for any kind of material. The powerful air pulses are able to cut through tough materials that have a high moisture content. One good example is bentonite.

Bentonite: Applications

Bentonite is a special clay made from volcanic ash. It’s highly absorbent and is used in many industries as a binding, thickening, or purifying agent.

• Metal production. Bentonite helps prepare molding sand for the production of iron and steel, or are used as a binding agent for production of iron ore pellets
• Construction. Bentonite is used as a lubricant in diaphragm walls, and in the production of Portland cement and mortars. It is also added as a sealing material.
• Food processing. It is used to remove impurities from edible oils like soya, palm and canola. It is also used as a clarification agent for beer, mineral water, sugar, and honey.
• Agriculture. Bentonite is often used as a pelletizing agent in animal feed production, or a porous carrier for herbicides and pesticides.
• Cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Bentonite clay is a popular ingredient for detox masks and cleansers, or added as a filler to create pastes in creams, lotions, and face creams.
• Household. Bentonite draws out impurities in solvents used to make laundry detergents, soaps, and fabric softeners.

AirSweep®

Bentonite is prone to bridging, arching and clumping, especially in moist or humid conditions. Pneumatic flow aids like AirSweep break through material blocks in seconds. Our Bentonite material flow test shows how a vessel becomes completely clean after just a few Airsweep air pulses.

How Does the AirSweep System Work?

The AirSweep system prevents bridging, ratholing, arching, and other material flow issues. The powerful nozzles release high-pressure, high-volume, 360-degree bursts of compressed air. These break up material blocks, and sweeps stalled material back into the flow stream.

But how does the AirSweep system really work? This video explains the typical AirSweep system. You will see:

AirSweep components

Look at the parts, what they do, and how they work together to slice through the toughest bulk materials in seconds.

AirSweep installation

The 3D model shows how AirSweeps are positioned on a vessel like silo, bin and hopper. The air pulses are perfectly timed for a first-in, first-out on-demand material flow.

AirSweep efficiency

By the end of the video, you will see why the AirSweep system is especially designed to handle any kind of material—from fine powders to bulk solids.

AirSweep proves that bursts of air, sent at the right place and the right time, can guarantee smooth material flow and higher factory efficiency.

AirSweep Material Activation System: A Quick Look

AirSweep® pneumatic flow aids are used in thousands of factories all around the world. The nozzles release powerful bursts of high-pressure, high-volume air. It breaks down material blocks without damaging the vessels, and improves factory productivity while lowering operational costs.

But what is the AirSweep® system, and is it the best solution for your particular process?

This video gives you the big picture. Find out:

• How AirSweep works, and how it compares to other material activation devices like fluidizers, air pads, air cannons, industrial vibrators, or the classic “hitting the vessel as hard as you can with a hammer”
• What materials AirSweep® can handle (the short answer: practically everything)
• When and where you can use AirSweep—silos, bins, ribbon blenders, and more!
• How much you will save on energy and maintenance

You can find more in-depth product information and case studies, but if you have any other questions that aren’t answered by the AirSweep introductory video, feel free to message us. We’ll be happy to help.

Pneumatic Flow Aids: AirSweep vs Air Fluidizer

Many solids will cake, pack or agglomerate when they’re under pressure. This causes funnel flow problems like ratholing, flooding and segregation. Aside from delaying production, these can affect batch uniformity and quality.

Pneumatic Flow Aids: Compare Power and Efficiency

Pneumatic flow aids like air blasters, air pads, and air fluidizers can break apart the condensed material to get it moving again. However, most of these flow aids release very light, localized bursts of air. This is effective for a smaller radius, and only for aery materials like flour.

AirSweep® is the most powerful pneumatic flow aid. It can be used on moist, dense and bulky materials and has a wider activation radius.

See the difference yourself!

This video shows a side-by-side comparison of AirSweep® with a rubber fluidizing disk. For demonstration purposes, we used hex nuts. However, for real applications, you can view material flow videos or read case studies where AirSweep® was used on rocks, resins and flakes, whey, liquid cheese and other bulk solids.

Find more videos that explains how the AirSweep works, and all the differences between the AirSweep, rubber fluidizing disks, and vibrators.

AirSweep USDA Material Activation Test

AirSweep USDA-accepted models are ideal for any process that requires sanitary equipment or frequent cleaning. The nozzles release powerful air pulses that lifts stalled material, then automatically reseals after each pulse to prevent material feedback. No cross-contamination, no messy clean-ups—just clean, continuous, on-demand flow.

Tough on Material Blocks, Gentle on Vessels, Safe for Food

This video demonstrates the power and efficiency of AirSweep pneumatic flow aids. Each pulse clears shows the activation radius of each pulse, as it pushes damp sand several inches from on all sides. Unlike air knockers and hammers, it does not dent the vessel or cause wear and tear. And unlike fluidizers, it can handle heavy, damp and dense materials.

The AirSweep USDA 185 used in this video was designed and fabricated according to sanitary design principles. It is made of high-grade stainless steel and is resistant to corrosion from strong cleaning or sanitizing chemicals.

Watch our AirSweep material activation test, or see other videos that demonstrate how it handles cornstarch, whey protein, cheese and other food products.

AirSweep Activation Radius Test: Damp Sand

AirSweep® air nozzles direct high-pressure air pulses that cut through bridging, ratholing and other material blocks. No other pneumatic flow aid has this kind of power and efficiency—especially for tough materials like sand.

Fluidizers use a rubber disk that gently vibrates to activate the surrounding material. However, it is only effective on light, powdery materials. In contrast, this material activation test shows how AirSweep® easily and efficiently clears 25 pounds of damp sand.

AirSweep: The Best Pneumatic Flow Aid for Sand

Sand and silica are used to make cement and concrete, abrasives and absorbents, ceramics and glass, chemicals, electronics, metal castings, industrial paints, and synthetic fiber. About 65% to 85% of concrete mixes is made up of sand and sand aggregates. Global scarcity of natural sand has also led to manufactured sand, made by crushing rocks or quarry stones.

Whether your factory uses sand or manufacture it as a raw material, AirSweep guarantees smooth flow and efficient production.The proof is in the flow—watch the video!

Calcium Carbonate Material Flow Test

Calcium carbonate is a sluggish powder that is prone to packing and sticking to vessel surfaces. It can clog hoppers, build up inside convey lines and filter bags, and cake in filter bags and cartridges. However, the material responds well to aeration. Pneumatic flow aids like AirSweep can help any factory that uses calcium carbonate achieve steady material flow.

Calcium Carbonate: Applications

Calcium carbonate is a versatile and readily-available material that is used in a number of industries.

• Plastics, paper and paints. It is valued as a coating pigment, since it help create a bright, smooth, and light-reflecting surface. It is also an inexpensive filler and extender, and is often added to sealants and adhesives.
• Building Materials and Construction. Calcium carbonate is used to make cement, bricks, concrete, stones, roofing and tiles, steel, and glass.
• Pharmaceuticals. It is added to dietary supplements, and used as a base for tablets and antacids. It is added to personal care products like toothpaste, and used to bind phosphates.
• Food processing. It is used to make baking powder, dough, wine, and dessert mixes. It is often added to animal feed.

AirSweep®

Get the tried-and-tested solution to tough material flow problems. There are over 10,000 AirSweep systems installed all over the world. The powerful air nozzles break through material blocks to prevent bridging, arching and ratholing—and it is the only pneumatic flow aid that can handle moist, dense and viscous materials like calcium carbonate.

Watch the AirSweep® calcium carbonate material flow test now.