An air blaster or air cannon is a de-clogging device composed of two main elements: a pressure vessel and a triggering mechanism. They are permanently installed on silos, bins and hoppers walls for all powdery forms of materials, and are used to prevent caking and allowing maximum storage capacity. They are also used in the entertainment industry for shock value in Halloween haunts and other attractions. Air blasters do not need any specific air supply. Available plant air is enough with a minimum of 4 barair pressure, although 5 to 6 bar are preferred for better results. The average air consumption is moderate, and depends on the number of firings per hour, size of the pressure vessel, and number of air cannons installed. For instance, a 50-liter air cannon consumes 0.60 Nm³/hour at 6 bar air pressure, with 2 firings per hour. The compressed air contained in the pressure vessel is instantly released, and the achieved blast, called the impact force, evacuates material sticking to the walls, as well as breaking potential bridging thanks to the shock wave obtained. The blasts are usually organized by using an automatic sequencer.
Operating principle
Phase 1: Air feeding: Air supply from the air compressor passes through a 3/2 way solenoid valve feed, the Quick Release Valve, and reach the triggering mechanism with its piston disc in closed position. The air reservoir is then pressurized in less than 15 seconds, depending on the air pressure and air volume used.
Phase 2: Waiting: An air pressure equilibrium between air circuit, triggering mechanism, and pressure vessel is created.
Phase 3: Blasting: When activated, a solenoid valve purges the air circuit, thus creating an air vacuum. Then, the piston inside triggering mechanism is abruptly pushed back by negative pressure, thus creating a sudden blast from the air contained in the pressure vessel. This phase is measured in milliseconds.
A metal-to-metal construction design, making the air blaster extremely reliable even in harsh environment ;
A costeffective solution to all customers that prevents hopper, bin, and silo discharge interruption, as well as process disr
Construction
Usually 2 versions exist A high temperature version: mainly for heat exchanger and cooler applications to remove clogging and to avoid costly plant stoppages and downtime. A low temperature version: to eliminate build-up and dead stock for powdery and granular materials thus preventing caking and allowing optimization of storage capacity.
Installation
Air blasters solves problem occurring in among other industries, with blockages occurring in preheater towers and in grate coolers, thus providing substantial savings.
