Air Slides

Field Operator Certification

Air Slides
 Air Slides

Lesson Objectives
1. State the purpose for Air Slides
2. Name the main components of an Air Slide
3. Explain the principle of operation of an Air Slide
4. State the applications for Air Slides in cement
manufacturing
5. Describe running & static inspections for Air Slides
6. Describe troubleshooting procedures for Air Slides
7. State safety concerns related to Air Slides
8. Perform a running & static inspection on an Air Slide (OJT)

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 Air Slides

Objective 1 - Purpose
 Pneumatic conveying
system

 Designed to move
powdered materials
from one location &
elevation to another

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 Air Slides

Objective 2 - Components

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 Air Slides

Components (cont’d)
 Material Inlet  Air Slide Fan or blower
 Material Discharge  Air Delivery Manifold
 Clean Air Chamber  Airflow Control Valves
 Material Chamber  Air Slide Ventilation
 Canvas  Auxiliary Components
 Material Flow Control
Gates
 Material Grizzlies
 Materials Traps
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 Air Slides

Objective 3 - Principle of Operation

 2 main sections
 Top section through which
material flows
 Bottom section through which
air is introduced

 Sections firmly bolted

together & divided by a
layer of canvas
 Exterior Air Slides have
overhung lip to prevent
water from infiltrating the
canvas

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 Air Slides

Principle of Operation (cont’d)

 Wire mesh typically
installed on top side of
the Air Slide canvas

 at impact points
 other areas of high wear

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 Air Slides

Principle of Operation (cont’d)

 Fluidizing air supplied
at 15 – 20 inches of
water positive pressure

 Blower or fan is
typically equipped with
a filter to ensure only
clean air is provided

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 Air Slides

Principle of Operation (cont’d)

 Control valves on
 Blower exhaust
 Air Slide sections

 Allows for optimization

of airflow distribution

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 Air Slides

Principle of Operation (cont’d)

 Airflow created by fan is
forced evenly through
canvas fluidizing or
reducing the friction
between material particles

 Positioned on an angle of
7° to 12°
 causes fluidized material to
flow from inlet to outlet due to
gravity

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 Air Slides

Principle of Operation (cont’d)

 For materials to be
continually fluidized airflow
into & out must be
maintained
 As a result, Dust Collectors
or other means of
ventilation are critical to
proper operation
 Should operate under
slightly negative conditions

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 Air Slides

Air Slide Assembly

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 Air Slides

Air Slide Maintenance

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 Air Slides

Air Slide Maintenance (cont’d)

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 Air Slides

Objective 5 - Applications
 Raw Grinding

 Pryoprocessing

 Finish Grinding

 Bulk Storage

 Bulk Loading

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 Air Slides

Objective 6 - Inspections

 Running Inspection…

 Static Inspection…

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 Air Slides

Objective 7 - Troubleshooting

 Air Delivery System

 Air Slide Structure

 Ventilation System

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 Air Slides

Objective 8 - Safety
 Always lock out fan or blower prior to performing any service
 Surface & material temps may be extremely hot
 Equipment is controlled automatically & can start/ stop at
any time
 Keep clothing, fingers, hair, etc. away from fan or blower
drive component
 Inspect all guards for damage & support integrity regularly
 Know location & function of all control stations
 Keep all control stations free from obstructions to ensure
access at all times
 Report all unsafe conditions or practices immediately

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 Air Slides

Lesson Review
 State the purpose of an Air Slide

 Moves material from one location to another

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 Air Slides

Lesson Review
 Describe 5 components of an Air Slide

 Material inlet
 Material discharge
 Clean air chamber
 Material chamber
 Canvas
 Air Slide fan or blower
 Air delivery manifold
 Airflow control valves
 Air Slide ventilation

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 Air Slides

Lesson Review
 What is the purpose of the wire mesh installed on
top of the Air Slide canvas in some applications?

 It increases wear resistance

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 Air Slides

Lesson Review
 Describe the 2 main components of an Air Slide’s
principle of operation

 Air used to fluidize material which reduces friction

between particles
 Once fluidized, material flows from the inlet to the outlet
by the force of gravity

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 Air Slides

Lesson Review
 How does venting affect the operation of the Air
Slide?

 It is essential to maintain airflow through the material in

order to promote fluidization

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 Air Slides

Lesson Review
 State 2 applications for Air Slides in cement
manufacturing

 Raw Grinding
 Pyroprocessing
 Finish Grinding
 Bulk Loading

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 Air Slides

Lesson Review
 Describe 5 inspection points specific to an Air Slide

 As per Inspection information

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 Air Slides

Lesson Review
 Describe 3 possible conditions that could result in a
loss of material flow in an Air Slide

 As per Troubleshooting information

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 Air Slides

Lesson Review
 Describe 2 safety hazards associated with Air
Slides

 As per Safety information

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