Air Cannons
Flow Aids for Industry & Commercial Use Australia-wide
What is an air cannon?
An air cannon, also known as an air blaster or air knockers, is a flow-aid device that is used to prevent and clear blockages in the bulk material handling process. These blockages can occur in various structures like hoppers, silos, chutes, and stockpiles, where dry bulk materials are stored and moved.
When materials such as grains, coal, or other particulates flow through these structures, they may not move smoothly due to their inherent properties or because of the design of the storage and handling facilities. As a result, they can form blockages such as:
- Rat holes: A funnel-shaped flow channel that develops in a material, with the material outside this channel remaining stationary.
- Arches or bridges: Where the material forms a self-supported arch above the outlet of a storage container, preventing further flow.
- Clinging material: Material that sticks to the walls of hoppers, bins, or silos due to moisture, static charge, or other reasons.
An air cannon system helps to overcome these blockages by delivering powerful blasts of compressed air directly into the problematic area of the bulk material handling system. The sudden expansion of air acts like a shockwave that dislodges the material, breaking apart blockages and promoting the free flow of material.
The operation of an air cannon is usually automated and can be triggered by timers or by sensors that detect when a blockage is forming. The main components of an air cannon system include:
- Pressure vessel: Stores the compressed air and is equipped with a fast-acting valve.
- Triggering mechanism: A system to release the air quickly when needed.
- Nozzle: Directs the air blast into the stored material.
Air cannons are an efficient and safe solution for material flow problems because they do not require direct human intervention to clear blockages once installed, and they reduce the need for mechanical tools or chemical agents that might otherwise be used to maintain flow. This makes the bulk material handling process more reliable and less labor-intensive.
AIR CANNON SOLUTIONS
A build-up of materials in Bulk Storage systems is a common occurrence, silo’s and bunkers can have so much build up that it slows or stops operation completely. Build-ups can form as bottlenecks, bridges, arches, rat holes and wall build-ups. All of these result in reduced flow, storage capacity and dead material.
The ESS Air Cannons are a pneumatic bulk material flow aid system that utilises the release of a volume of compressed air. This sudden release of energy is directed through a transition pipe into compacted or frozen material in a bin, silo or stockpile, to dislodge that material, restore flow and regain storage capacity.
APPLICATION
APPLICABLE MATERIALS
Air Cannon’s are a practical solution for;
- Wet/sticky materials
- Dense/compacting materials
- Light/fluffy/porous materials
- Build-ups/concretions
- High-temperature materials.
ESS Air Cannons Range
The ESS Air Cannons are available in both internal and external valve arrangements.
Universal XHV Air Cannons
The Universal XHV Air Cannon utilises an external 4" or 6" (e4 or e6) valve arrangement allowing for double ended air cannons, using one pressure vessel to reduce cost. The tanks for the e4 External valve configuration are available in 40L, 70L, 150L, 250L and 375L.
Internal Valve Air Cannons
The Internal valve arrangements include both 4” (i4) and 6” (i6) Valves and allows for the most efficient conversion of potential energy into usable energy. Internal valve configurations are available in 40L (i4), 70L (i4 & i6) and 150L (i6).
SILO CLEANING
Bin Whip Silo Cleaning
The ‘bin-whip’ machine is an air-powered, manually controlled device used to clean the internal surfaces of silos and bins, using a compressed air-driven ‘whip-head’. The whip-head is suspended by an air supply hose on the end of a manually operated, wire rope-controlled ranging boom/spinning chain, which flails against the internal material build-up. With the help of two trained operators, this ‘bin-whip’ machine can effectively clean or clear the internal surfaces a silo or bin.
This means you don’t have to enter a confined space in person, with the associated hazards this brings with it. Depending on the nature of the material, and silo/bin construction, flails of chain, rope, or something similar may be used to brush, or break, any deposits that affect the operating efficiency of the said silos and bins alike. The bin-whip machine is self-contained in its own transport trailer, holding all the necessary components for operational use.
Vibrators
ESS Offers a range of Vibration solutions for a range of applications including:
- Relieving product obstructions
- Avoiding bridging & rat-holing
- Feeding small parts
- Loosening stubborn adhesions
- Maintaining product flow
- Compaction of bulker bags
- Driving feeders & conveyors
- Avoiding clogging
- Sieving bulk materials
- Compacting moulding sand
- Feeding small quantities
- Conveying raw material
- Spreading bulk material
- Concrete compaction
Contact ESS Engineering today for all flow aid and air cannons solutions!