Dense-Phase Technology That Reduces Wear

VOLDE designs and implements, on a turnkey basis, high-capacity, low-operating-cost systems for flat glass, packaging, and automotive glass production facilities that enable feldspar, dolomite, and sand to be conveyed via the dense-phase pneumatic method

| The VOLDE Approach to Dense-Phase Conveying

In the glass industry, product quality depends directly on the raw materials used being fed into the melting process in the correct ratios, homogeneously, and uninterruptedly. Raw materials such as feldspar, dolomite, and silica sand are materials that must be conveyed at high tonnages, over long distances, and with high process safety, while also being abrasive and having challenging flow behavior. To achieve the desired chemical and physical properties, silica sand, feldspar, and dolomite are blended in specific ratios and fed into the melting furnace.

• Silica sand (SiO₂): Forms the main structure of the glass, providing mechanical strength and transparency.
• Feldspar: As a source of alkali and alumina, it lowers the melting temperature and improves the workability of the glass.
• Dolomite (CaMg(CO₃)₂): Improves the chemical resistance and stability of the glass.

These raw materials are generally taken from beneath silos and fed into the batch house (blending unit) or directly into the melting line. In large glass facilities, conveying distances can reach hundreds of meters, and capacity requirements often reach the range of 20–50 tons/hour. At this scale of application, dense-phase pneumatic conveying is a widely used, reliable method for glass raw materials. However, for hard, abrasive materials like sand, feldspar, and dolomite, operating the system at high pressure can lead to rapid wear in pipes and elbows, increased maintenance needs, and unplanned downtime.

| The Key Factor That Sets VOLDE Systems Apart

AIRPLUS support air kits make a difference with an optimized dense-phase conveying system approach.

Thanks to AIRPLUS:

• Controlled, balanced material flow is achieved throughout the line
• Blockages and sudden loading spikes are prevented
• The same capacity is achieved at a lower conveying pressure
• Total air consumption is reduced

This approach provides a significant advantage in terms of uninterrupted production, continuity of furnace feeding, and predictable maintenance planning — all critical in the glass industry.

Get to know VOLDE engineering for pneumatic conveying solutions tailored to the glass industry.

| Typical Applications in the Glass Industry

VOLDE dense-phase pneumatic raw material conveying systems are used in areas requiring high capacity and process continuity, such as;

• Batch house feeding in flat glass production facilities
• Silo-to-blending lines in bottle and packaging glass factories
• Precise batch feeding applications in automotive glass production
• Long-distance silo-to-pre-furnace conveying systems

At the same time, VOLDE is not limited to pneumatic conveying systems alone; it designs and implements the Glass Batch House as a complete system. From raw material silos to dosing units, from blending equipment to pre-furnace feeding lines, the entire structure is built with a single engineering approach.

This way, glass manufacturers gain a batch house solution that works cohesively, is taken on with single-source responsibility, and delivers stable performance for many years — without the coordination burden of dealing with different suppliers.

| Turnkey Engineering

VOLDE carries out dense-phase pneumatic conveying projects for the glass industry on a turnkey basis, covering;

• Process analysis and capacity calculations
• Engineering design suited to batch house and furnace feeding lines
• Detailed manufacturing drawings
• In-house equipment manufacturing
• On-site installation, commissioning, and training

Each system is custom-designed for the raw material to be conveyed, the line length, the production recipe, and the facility's operational expectations.