Why do materials block in silos?
Bridging
Formation of a solid arch
Rat-holing
Partial flow with a central cavity
Powder cohesion
Material moisture
Irregular particle size distribution
THE IMPACT ON YOUR PRODUCTION
Reduced flow rate
Material blockages
Manual intervention
AirSweep: the most effective solution for flow issues
The AirSweep system uses controlled pulses of compressed air to reintroduce material movement inside silos, hoppers, and vessels.
Unlike traditional solutions (vibrators or air cannons), AirSweep operates in a targeted, sequential, and continuous manner—without damaging structures.
1 Compressed air injection
AirSweep nozzles are installed at strategic points on the silo wall. Each nozzle delivers a pulse of compressed air with:
High pressure
High volume
Very short duration
Objective: dislodge material without disturbing the entire structure.
2 Material reactivation
The injected air creates a wave that:
Breaks bridges
Eliminates dead zones
Restores natural material flow
Instead of forcing the material, it is intelligently.
3 Intelligent nozzle sequencing
The nozzles do not operate simultaneously. They are activated according to a programmed sequence:
Flow optimization
Adaptation to material type
Reduced air consumption
4 Continuous flow maintenance
Thanks to this continuous action:
Build-up is prevented
Flow remains consistent
Production downtime is eliminated
BEFORE / AFTER AIRSWEEP
BEFORE
Blocked silo
Frequent manual cleaning
Production losses
Operator safety risks
AFTER
Continuous, smooth flow
Zero manual intervention
Stable production
Improved safety
Immediate gains for your production
Filling time reduced: from 1 hour to 2 minutes
Continuous and smooth process
Elimination of blockages
Reduced downtime
Improved yield
WHY CHOOSE AIRSWEEP?
No material backflow
Reduced maintenance
Improved safety
Why choose AirSweep ?
- No material backflow
- Reduced maintenance
- Improved safety
- Protection of silo walls (no wear)
HOW MUCH ARE YOUR FLOW ISSUES COSTING YOU?
Costly production downtime
Time-consuming manual cleaning
Material and batch losses
Risks for your operators
The cost of inaction is often higher than the cost of the solution.
WHAT YOU GAIN WITH AIRSWEEP
Increased productivity
Reduced downtime
Elimination of manual cleaning
Reduced material losses
Improved safety
A profitable investment within the first weeks.
ROI EXAMPLE
50 m² silo – Food industry
50 m² silo – Food industry
Estimated losses: €8,000/month
Estimated ROI: < 6 months with AirSweep
Applications
Food industry
Animal feed
Cereals
Chocolate
Flour
Oats
Rice
Salts
Starch
Sugar
Mining
Coal
Copper
Lead
Limestone
Magnetite
Phosphate
Soda ash
Uranium
Chemicals
Adipic acid
Boric acid
Calcium carbonate
Pesticides
Iron oxide
Potassium
Polyacrylamide
Sodium sulfite
Titanium dioxide
Zinc
Others
Acetate
Cement
Chalk
Detergents
Fertilizers
Ash
Pharmaceuticals
Plastics
Resins
Sludge
Tobacco
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about difficult flow issues:
To efficiently unblock a silo, it is essential to avoid manual interventions (hammering, improvised vibration), which are often unsafe and not sustainable.
Pneumatic solutions like AirSweep inject targeted pulses of compressed air directly into critical areas of the silo.
This allows you to:
- Break material bridges
- Eliminate dead zones
- Restore a smooth and continuous flow
Result: fast unblocking, without prolonged downtime or risk to operators.
Blockages in industrial silos are generally caused by well-known physical phenomena:
- Bridging: formation of a solid arch preventing flow
- Rat-holing: creation of a flow channel leaving stagnant zones
- Powder cohesion: particles stick together
- Moisture: promotes material agglomeration
- Irregular particle size distribution: disrupts natural flow
Without the right solution, these issues lead to productivity losses, downtime, and costly interventions.
Flow aid solutions must be efficient, reliable, and energy-efficient.
Sequential pneumatic systems like AirSweep are among the most effective today because they provide:
- Targeted action on critical zones
- Optimized air consumption
- Reduced maintenance interventions
- Continuous flow maintenance
Unlike vibrators or air cannons, AirSweep operates in a controlled and progressive manner, without damaging silo walls.
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