This case study focuses on a successful dilute phase pneumatic conveying system implemented for a major grain and oil processing enterprise located in Jingmen, Hubei Province. The client, a well-established player in the grain and oil industry, required an efficient and reliable solution for transporting rice husk powder—a bulky, fibrous, and abrasive byproduct of rice milling and oil extraction. The primary challenge was to move this material from the production line to storage or further processing stages without dust leakage, material degradation, or excessive energy consumption. After a thorough evaluation of available technologies, the client chose Shandong Headpowder Engineering Co., Ltd. (headpowder) to design and install a custom dilute phase pneumatic conveying system tailored specifically for rice husk powder. This project exemplifies the application of dilute phase conveying technology in the grain and oil byproduct handling sector, demonstrating how advanced pneumatic systems can transform challenging material transport into a clean, automated, and cost-effective process.
The core of this project is the dilute phase pneumatic conveying system designed for rice husk powder, a typical agricultural byproduct from the grain and oil industry. Rice husk powder, after being ground from rice husks, is characterized by its low bulk density (typically 0.15–0.25 t/m³), high abrasiveness due to silica content, and tendency to accumulate static electricity. These properties make conventional mechanical conveyors (such as screw conveyors or belt conveyors) prone to clogging, wear, and dust emissions. The dilute phase conveying system, operating at relatively high air velocities (18–30 m/s), suspends the rice husk powder particles in an air stream, transporting them through a pipeline network. This method is particularly suitable for materials that are free-flowing or slightly cohesive, and it offers significant advantages in terms of layout flexibility, dust containment, and minimal moving parts. The system installed at the Jingmen facility includes a positive displacement blower, a rotary airlock feeder, a conveying pipeline with wear-resistant bends, and a cyclone separator or bag filter for product recovery. The entire process is automated with PLC control, ensuring consistent material flow and minimal operator intervention. This case is a prime example of how dilute phase conveying technology can be effectively applied to grain and oil byproducts, providing a reliable solution for rice husk powder transport while maintaining high hygiene standards and low operational costs.
The dilute phase pneumatic conveying system developed for this project incorporates several technical features that are critical for handling rice husk powder efficiently. First, the system uses a positive displacement blower to generate a steady, high-volume air stream, which is essential for maintaining the suspension of the light, fluffy powder. The rotary airlock feeder is specifically designed to handle the abrasive nature of rice husk powder, with hardened steel components and a wear-resistant lining to extend service life. The conveying pipeline is constructed from heavy-duty steel with specially designed long-radius bends (bend radius at least 10 times the pipe diameter) to minimize material degradation and wear at turning points. Additionally, the system includes a dedicated dust collection unit at the discharge point, typically a baghouse filter, to ensure that no fine particles escape into the atmosphere, meeting stringent environmental regulations. The PLC control system monitors the air pressure, material flow rate, and blower speed in real-time, allowing for automatic adjustment of conveying parameters. This ensures a consistent and stable transport process even when the rice husk powder moisture content varies slightly. The system is also equipped with a manual bypass for emergency operations and routine maintenance. By integrating these features, the dilute phase conveying system achieves a conveying capacity of up to 5–10 tons per hour over a distance of 100–200 meters, with a power consumption of only 0.02–0.05 kWh per ton per meter, which is highly competitive compared to mechanical alternatives.
The application of this dilute phase pneumatic conveying system for rice husk powder in the grain and oil industry brings numerous advantages. First, the system completely eliminates dust emissions during transport, which is a critical issue for biomass byproducts like rice husk powder that can cause respiratory hazards and fire risks. The enclosed pipeline design ensures that the material is handled in a sealed environment, protecting both workers and the surrounding environment. Second, the dilute phase system offers exceptional layout flexibility. The pipeline can be routed around existing equipment, over obstacles, and through multiple floors without requiring major structural modifications. This is particularly valuable for retrofitting projects in older grain and oil plants where space is limited. Third, the system reduces material degradation. Unlike mechanical conveyors that can crush or abrade the rice husk powder, the pneumatic system gently suspends the particles in air, preserving their particle size distribution and bulk properties. This is important for downstream applications such as pelletizing, briquetting, or direct combustion in biomass boilers. Fourth, the system is inherently low-maintenance. With only a few moving parts (the blower, the rotary valve, and the filter cleaning mechanism), the overall downtime is significantly lower than that of screw conveyors or bucket elevators. The Jingmen facility has reported a 40% reduction in maintenance costs and a 30% increase in overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) since switching to the dilute phase conveying system. Finally, the system supports automated operation, integrating seamlessly with the existing production line via standard industrial protocols. This allows the plant to achieve fully unmanned material transport during night shifts, reducing labor costs and improving safety.
The project at the grain and oil enterprise in Jingmen, Hubei, was completed within a 12-week timeline, from initial site survey to commissioning. Shandong Headpowder Engineering Co., Ltd. provided turnkey services including system design, equipment fabrication, installation, and on-site commissioning. The system was designed to handle rice husk powder with a moisture content of up to 12% and a particle size distribution of 80–200 mesh. After installation, the system underwent rigorous testing, including a 72-hour continuous operation test, during which the conveying capacity exceeded the design target by 8%. The measured dust concentration at the discharge point was less than 5 mg/m³, well below the local environmental standard of 10 mg/m³. The client also noted a significant improvement in workplace cleanliness and operator morale. The total cost of ownership was calculated to be 25% lower than a comparable mechanical system over a 5-year period, factoring in energy savings, reduced maintenance, and longer equipment life. As a result, the grain and oil enterprise plans to replicate this dilute phase conveying system for other byproducts such as soybean meal, corn germ, and wheat bran in the future. This case has become a benchmark for the company's commitment to adopting advanced material handling technologies in the grain and oil industry.
Shandong Headpowder Engineering Co., Ltd. (headpowder) is a leading provider of pneumatic conveying solutions in China, with a strong focus on the grain, oil, and biomass sectors. Based in Shandong, China, the company has over 15 years of experience in designing and manufacturing dilute phase and dense phase conveying systems for a wide range of powders, granules, and bulk solids. The rice husk powder dilute phase conveying case in Jingmen is just one example of our expertise in handling challenging agricultural byproducts. Our engineering team conducts thorough material characterization tests, including particle size distribution, bulk density, flowability, and abrasiveness, to ensure that the conveying system is perfectly matched to the material properties. We also provide comprehensive after-sales support, including spare parts, remote monitoring, and on-site maintenance training. For more information about how our dilute phase pneumatic conveying systems can improve your grain and oil byproduct handling operations, please contact our project manager, Mr. Zhang (WeChat: 15662777102). He will be happy to discuss your specific requirements and provide a customized solution.
For any inquiries regarding the rice husk powder dilute phase conveying system or other pneumatic conveying solutions, please feel free to reach out to our dedicated team. Shandong Headpowder Engineering Co., Ltd. is located in Shandong, China. The project manager for this case study is Mr. Zhang. You can contact him directly via WeChat at 15662777102. He will provide detailed technical consultations, system quotations, and project references. We look forward to partnering with you to optimize your material handling processes.
Shandong Headpowder Engineering Co., Ltd.
156-6277-7102（Zhang manager） 
0531-83386006 
Jinan City, Shandong, China Province 
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