An experimental study of lifting and moving forces in air conveying systems

An air conveying system uses pressurized air as a propelling force to lift and move articles. It is supplied by a fan into a plenum with a top surface that is a flat perforated plate. Air escapes through the openings, creating a layer that supports and drives the articles along.

This thesis provides information on the lifting and moving forces. It summarizes the results of both analytical and experimental studies. Most of the effort is focused on an experimental procedure for measuring the actual forces on the objects being conveyed and data are used to verify the analytical models.

The experiments are limited to straight holes and louvers located under the bottom of aluminum concave-bottom cans. In some tests, a flat disc has been fixed to the bottom of the cans. Measurements are made of the can motion on an actual section of conveyor.