A pneumatic conveying route survey converts a plant layout into the data needed for pressure and airflow calculation. Quoting only the distance between a silo and receiver is not enough. Two lines with the same end-to-end length can impose very different blower duties because of bends, vertical lift, bore, feeder leakage and receiving pressure.
Record the Route by Segment
The survey should divide the line into straight horizontal sections, vertical rises, vertical descents and inclined runs. Each segment needs its manufactured internal diameter, material of construction and expected operating temperature.
Centerline length should be measured from actual equipment connections rather than from a building plan alone. Flexible hose, telescopic pieces and temporary connections require their own maximum approved configuration.
Identify Every Directional Change
Bends influence gas-solid pressure loss, particle impact and wear. The survey should record bend angle, centerline radius, orientation and whether the fitting contains a wear insert or reduced bore. Several closely spaced bends can behave differently from the same fittings separated by long straight pipe.
Branch tees, diverters and dead legs also matter. The calculation must follow every permitted route, while the controls prevent flow through inactive branches.
Capture Vertical Lift and Equipment Elevations
Vertical upward conveying normally adds a gravitational burden and can require a different stable velocity from horizontal transport. Downward sections may accelerate solids and create unstable pressure behavior at the following bend or receiver.
The survey should report elevations at the feeder outlet, each major transition and the receiver inlet. A single net elevation can hide an intermediate rise followed by a descent.
Verify Actual Internal Bore
Nominal pipe size does not always equal flow diameter. Schedule, liner thickness, couplings, hoses and reducers can change the effective bore. Internal steps at misaligned joints can increase turbulence, impact and product retention.
Where the route intentionally changes diameter, each transition requires its location, geometry and downstream bore. Existing lines should be inspected for wear, deformation or deposits that alter the original dimension.
Add Feeder and Receiver Conditions
The pipeline begins at a feeding interface and ends at a gas-solid separator. The route package should therefore include feeder type, expected leakage, hopper pressure, receiver operating pressure, filter resistance and vent path.
A dirty receiver filter may add more pressure than several metres of straight pipe. Similarly, a worn rotary valve can consume effective airflow without moving additional material.
Survey Operating and Environmental Conditions
Ambient pressure, temperature and altitude affect blower inlet density. Outdoor lines may experience large temperature changes or moisture condensation. The survey should identify heat tracing, insulation, low points, drains and locations where water or product could collect.
Future routes should be labeled separately from the current installation. Unverified expansion allowance should not be hidden inside a generic safety factor.
From Route Drawing to Blower Enquiry
The completed deliverable should contain an isometric or marked layout, segment schedule, fitting list, elevation profile and operating matrix. The system designer uses it with material-test and throughput data to calculate effective flow, normal pressure and peak operating pressure.
Pasifik Blower can then evaluate a two-lobe or three-lobe positive-pressure model against the actual duty. The portfolio spans approximately 30–9,360 m³/h and up to 1,000 mbar across all models, but route feasibility depends on the selected model’s curve, motor power, speed and discharge temperature.
Connecting the Route Survey to Project Decisions
During the procurement and design review phases, the pneumatic conveying route survey should be evaluated strictly against the established material data, equipment limits, and final acceptance criteria.
Glossary
Centerline length: Distance measured along the central path of a pipe and its fittings.
Elevation profile: Record of vertical positions along a conveying route.
Fitting schedule: List of bends, tees, valves, reducers and other route components with relevant dimensions.
Isometric drawing: Three-dimensional-style pipe representation showing route geometry and connections.
Nominal pipe size: Standardized pipe designation that may differ from actual internal diameter.
Route segment: Defined section of pipeline with consistent diameter, direction and construction.
Site survey: Field verification of physical and operating data used for engineering design.