Nano silica, known as fumed or precipitated silica, is an ultrafine powder with nanometer-sized particles. Its high specific surface area and unique surface chemistry make it an essential additive in rubber, plastics, coatings, adhesives, sealants, and battery separators. However, transporting nano silica in bulk requires specialized pneumatic conveying solutions due to its extreme fineness, low bulk density, and tendency to agglomerate. A robust conveying system ensures consistent feed, reduces product loss, and prevents process downtime.

Handling nano silica presents significant challenges. The fine particles can easily fluidize and become airborne, making containment difficult. Agglomerates form due to interparticle forces, leading to blockages in pipelines and silos. The material often has a low bulk density of under 100 g/L, requiring large volumes of conveying gas. Additionally, nano silica can be abrasive and may create static electricity charges. Without properly engineered airflow, pressure, and velocity control, the system may suffer from wear, bridging, rat-holing, and poor discharge accuracy.

Our customized pneumatic conveying systems address these challenges through careful material testing and process design. We select either dense phase or dilute phase conveying depending on the material characteristics and the required tonnage. Dense phase conveying operates at low gas velocity, minimizing particle degradation and line wear while reducing energy consumption. For cohesive or pressure-sensitive materials, blow tanks, rotary airlocks, and nozzle designs maintain smooth plug flow. Dilute phase conveying is used for short distances and low capacities with appropriately sized pipes and air velocities.

The system uses a closed pipeline to prevent dust leakage and cross-contamination. Components include storage hoppers, discharge devices, rotary valves, roots blowers, vacuum pumps, filter receivers, bag filters, and PLC panels. For nano silica, we apply ceramic-lined bends and wear-resistant pipe sections to resist abrasion. The hopper and filter housings are made of stainless steel 304 or 316L with polished finishes for pharmaceutical and food-grade use. Each component is sized for optimal gas-to-solid ratio to ensure stable conveying and minimal product degradation.

Safety is another critical priority. Nano silica dust can form explosive atmospheres when suspended in air. Our systems incorporate explosion venting, flame suppression, and grounding systems. We recommend using nitrogen as the conveying gas for explosive grades, thereby reducing oxygen content below the limiting oxygen concentration. Vacuum transfer systems are available for hazardous operations, as they remove the risk of dust escaping from leaks. All covers are sealed with gaskets, and every rotary valve is equipped with an interlock to prevent unauthorized opening during operation.

The benefits include lower labor costs, minimal material wastage, improved workplace hygiene, and consistent quality. The PLC-based system provides automatic start-up, block valve sequencing, pressure monitoring, and fault alarms. Real-time data can be integrated into DCS or SCADA for centralized management. With precise weighing and feeding, it can feed mixers, packing machines, or reactors with an accuracy of ±0.5%. This makes our solutions suitable for chemical, new energy, environmental protection, and pharmaceutical industries.

We provide engineering services from site survey, material testing, flow simulation, and system design to manufacturing, installation, and commissioning. Our team has extensive experience with nano and ultrafine powders, especially fumed and precipitated silica. We supply spare parts and after-sales support, including remote troubleshooting and annual maintenance. Whether you need a simple line or an integrated multiple-hopper system, our team delivers a tailored solution meeting your capacity, safety, and cost objectives. Contact us for a custom proposal and detailed layout.