Overview

Pneumatic conveying remains one of the most widely used technologies for the transportation of bulk solids across a broad range of industrial sectors. However, the successful design and operation of these systems require a detailed understanding of solids flow behaviour, pressure losses, system performance, and the challenges associated with multiphase flow.

This presentation will provide an overview of pneumatic conveying systems, examining their fundamental operating principles, key characteristics, and the practical challenges encountered during design and operation. The session will explore how empirical correlations, mathematical models, and advanced simulation techniques can be applied to evaluate system behaviour, predict performance, and support effective troubleshooting and optimisation.

A review of the theoretical basis of several commonly used pressure-drop correlations will be presented, together with an assessment of their predictive capabilities through comparison with experimental data. The presentation will also highlight the role of computational modelling in advancing understanding of pneumatic conveying processes.

Examples of multiphase Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and CFD–Discrete Element Method (CFD-DEM) simulations will be used to illustrate a range of industrially relevant phenomena, including:

• Solids flow through pipeline expansions
• Pipe bypass operation
• In-line segregation of particulate materials
• Mechanisms of pipeline erosion and wear

Speaker

Professor Don McGlinchey, Professor Emeritus, Department of Engineering, Glasgow Caledonian University

Professor Don McGlinchey is a leading authority in bulk solids handling, pneumatic conveying, computational modelling, and engineering simulation. He served as Academic Lead of the Centre for Industrial Bulk Solids Handling, the Engineering Simulation and Advanced Manufacturing Research Group, and the Digital Transformation and Intelligent Maintenance Research Group at Glasgow Caledonian University.

Throughout his career, he has undertaken consultancy projects for multinational corporations and small-to-medium-sized enterprises across a range of industries. He has also delivered specialist professional development and industrial training courses in the United Kingdom, Sweden, and the United States.

Professor McGlinchey is a member of the European Federation of Chemical Engineering (EFCE) Working Party on the Mechanics of Particulate Solids and a member of the NAFEMS CFD Working Group, contributing to international developments in particulate systems, modelling, and simulation. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9131-5918

The material presented has not been peer-reviewed. Any opinions are the presenter’s own and do not necessarily represent those of IChemE or the Particle Technology Special Interest Group. The information is given in good faith but without any liability on the part of IChemE.

Time

09:00–10:30 BST.

Software

The presentation will be delivered via Microsoft Teams. We recommend downloading the app from the Microsoft website, rather than using the web portal.