How does the air move through pneumatic transport?

The gas flow through pipes is an essential part of any pneumatic conveying system. In most systems, layouts require the compressor to be some distance from the feeder. A piping system is needed to connect the compressor to the feeder. Furthermore, to design the conveyor belt, insight into the behavior of the gas flow through the total system is essential. There are two basic types of flow in a tube:

• Laminar
• Turbulent

Laminar flow is characterized by streamlined concentric cylindrical fluid layers that flow past each other in an orderly manner. The speed is greatest in the center of the pipe and decreases sharply at the wall or boundary layer.

Turbulent flow is characterized by an irregular random movement of liquid particles across the main flow without an observable frequency or pattern.