Flow Aids
Stop bridging, ratholes, and buildup. We provide engineered flow aids—including AirSweep, fluidizer pads, vibrators, air cannons, and eccentric drives—to keep powders and bulk solids moving in hoppers, silos, chutes, mixers and more.
Tell us about your material
- Bulk density, particle size, stickiness/moisture, temperature
- Vessel geometry, wall material & thickness, lined or unlined
- Process: gravity or pneumatic, duty cycle, cleanliness/sanitary
- Air available (SCFM/PSI) & electrical constraints
Control Concepts AirSweep®
On-demand, first-in/first-out material activation using brief, high-volume pulses along the vessel wall—effective even on moist, sticky and heavy solids.
Targeted Activation
Pulses travel in shear along the wall to lift and sweep stalled material—without stressing the vessel.
Sequenced for FIFO
Strategically placed nozzles fire in sequence for controlled, first-in/first-out flow and cleanout.
Key Features
- Activates up to ~8-ft diameter per nozzle with low air (≈10 CFM typical).
- Nozzle reseals after each pulse to prevent material feedback.
- Options for sanitary, high-temp, and USDA-accepted designs.
Applications
- Bins, hoppers, silos, chutes, mixers & receivers
- Sticky, moist, cohesive or heavy powders
| Technology | How it works | Effective on sticky/heavy? | Noise / Stress | Air / Energy Use | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AirSweep® | High-volume wall-shear pulses; reseals after firing | Yes | Quiet; no wall stress | Low air (~10 CFM) | ~8-ft activation per nozzle |
| Air Cannons | Large blasts of air | Limited | Loud; vessel flex | High consumption | Channeling through voids |
| Air Knockers | Piston strike on wall | No | Very loud; weld fatigue | High power | Requires shutdowns |
| Fluidizers | Rubber disk aeration | No | Loud; wear issues | High air use | Small coverage radius |
| Vibrators | Shake vessel walls | May compact | Loud; wall stress | High electrical | Doesn’t prevent buildup |
Solimar® Fluidizer Pads
Food-grade fluidizers that combine aeration with gentle vibration to promote discharge from bins and silos.
Promote Flow
Ideal for many light to medium powders; easy to retrofit on bins and hoppers.
Food-Grade Options
Blue silicone discs and hardware options for sanitary applications.
Use Cases
- Powders prone to light arching or rat-holing
- Bins, hoppers, day bins, pneumatic receivers
Considerations
- Smaller activation radius; may need many units for large vessels
- For sticky/heavy materials, AirSweep often performs better
VIBCO® Vibrators (Pneumatic & Electric)
External vibration for bins, hoppers, chutes, and tables—pneumatic or electric turbine styles.
Pneumatic Vibrators
Air-powered units for intermittent or continuous duty on silos and bins.
Electric Vibrators
Turbine and motor-driven options with mounting kits and controls.
When to Use
- Loosening dry, non-cohesive materials
- Compaction tables and conveying aids
Considerations
- Can be loud; may compact/de-aerate some powders
- May cause vessel/weld fatigue—choose locations carefully
Air Cannons
High-volume blasts to dislodge material—useful in some applications but often noisy with limited feed control.
Problem Solving
Effective for tough hang-ups, but consider noise, air consumption, and vessel stresses.
Targeted Installs
Best applied on heavy vessels and specific points of chronic buildup.
Eccentric Drives (Italvibras®)
Foot-mounted electric vibrators for feeders, screens, chutes, and compacting tables.
MVSI / MVSI-TS Series
Wide force range, IP-rated enclosures, and multiple mounting footprints.
Flow Aids FAQ
When should I use AirSweep instead of fluidizers?
Fluidizers work well on light, free-flowing powders. For sticky, moist, or heavy materials that fluidizers cannot activate, AirSweep provides reliable first-in/first-out flow using low air pulses.
Do vibrators damage silos or hoppers?
External vibrators can be effective, but continuous use may cause vessel fatigue or weld cracks. They also may compact material. For long-term solutions on sticky materials, AirSweep or fluidizers are often better choices.
What is the air requirement for AirSweep?
Most AirSweep systems operate with as little as 10 CFM per nozzle at standard plant air pressures, making them much more efficient than air cannons or knockers.
Are these flow aids suitable for sanitary applications?
Yes. AirSweep offers USDA-accepted models for food and pharma use. Solimar fluidizers also come in food-grade silicone for sanitary operations.
Need help choosing a flow aid?
Send us your material, vessel details, and air/electrical specs. We’ll recommend the right technology and nozzle/drive layout for dependable flow.
Talk with an Applications Engineer