Custom Process & Material Handling Systems

At HorizonPSI, our business is your business. We design, manufacture, install and maintain custom process and material handling systems for businesses big and small. So, whether you need a single component for your existing setup, or are building a new facility, we’ll be there with the solutions you need.

Vacuum or Pressure Dilute Phase Systems

Vacuum Dense Phase Horizon PSI

      

In dilute phase systems, materials are suspended in the conveying air stream. This occurs when materials are conveyed at a velocity above the saltation, or minimum suspension velocity, of the material. For materials to reach dilute phase, conveying air velocities of 3,200 to 7,000 feet per minute are required. Because these systems convey materials at higher velocities, they’re typically used to convey materials that are not susceptible to degradation or not abrasive in nature. Often times, the type of material you are conveying, how far the material is being conveyed or the condition the material is in when conveyed, will determine which application is right for you.

 

 

Vacuum Dilute Phase Systems

 

In these systems, negative air pressure is used to convey materials in a Dilute Vacuum System. Like any system, there are advantages and disadvantages to this configuration:

 

Advantages:

  • Leaks are inward
  • Flexibility at material pickup points
  • Ability to incorporate more pick-up points than other systems
  • Easier to handle heat sensitive materials
  • No airlock blow-by to account for

Disadvantages:

  • More expensive than a pressure system
  • Unable to efficiently handle moisture
  • Limited flexibility at material discharge points
  • Long conveying distances or high convey rates are expensive

PRESSURE DILUTE PHASE SYSTEMS

 

 

As the name implies, positive air pressure is used to convey materials in a Dilute Pressure System. Like any system, there are advantages and disadvantages to this configuration:

 

Advantages:

  • Easy discharge to several destinations
  • Higher conveying capacity
  • Able to convey longer distances
  • Moisture or oxygen sensitive materials are handled easier

Disadvantages:

  • Pressure may cause material to leak outwards
  • Lower flexibility at the material pickup point
  • Pump generates additional heat
  • Multiple pick-up points are expensive
  • Must account for airlock blow-by air

VACUUM DENSE PHASE

 

 

In a vacuum dense phase system, material is fed into the system using conveying line via a special hopper arrangement or an airlock. This provides flexibility at the pickup point. Material is then conveyed using negative air pressure produced by a positive displacement blower or vacuum pump. 

Advantages:

  • Leaks are inward
  • Flexibility at material pickup points
  • System able to incorporate more pickup points than other systems
  • Easier to handle heat sensitive materials
  • No airlock blow-by to account for 

Disadvantages:

  • More expensive than a pressure system
  • Unable to efficiently handle moisture
  • Limited flexibility at material discharge points
  • Long conveying distances or high convey rates are expensive

 

 

 

BATCH DENSE PHASE

In batch dense phase systems, material is conveyed from a pressure vessel (also known as a pressure pot) to its destination at controlled speeds. These systems are capable of high conveying capacities over long distances and are well suited for abrasive materials. 

 

Advantages:

  • Easy discharge to several destinations
  • Higher conveying capacity
  • Able to convey longer distances
  • Moisture or oxygen sensitive materials are handled easier

Disadvantages:

  • Pressure may cause material to leak outwards
  • Lower flexibility at the material pickup point
  • Pump generates additional heat
  • Multiple pick-up points are expensive
  • Continuous conveying versus batch conveying is expensive

CONTINUOUS DENSE PHASE

 

When crushing or impact could affect your materials, rely on our ConTran™ continuous dense phase transfer system. ConTran™ uses a vacuum-throttling valve that accurately maintains a constant ratio of material-to-air mass flow. As a result, the system minimizes breakage and fines – all with less energy consumption compared to other pneumatic system designs. These systems are typically used with material that are susceptible to sliding or rolling degradation, or where material segregation is a concern.