Why should only the metal and plastics industries benefit from clever compressed air solutions? A recent customer project at a coffee roastery prompted us to show how our vacuum conveyors can be used in (smaller) food businesses. After all, they too have various bulk materials that need to be conveyed or filled. And this is where the Exair Line Vac comes in.
In brief: conveying with compressed air
Line Vac vacuum conveyors are ideal for moving variable quantities of material over long distances. A small amount of compressed air is blown through special nozzles, creating a vacuum and, as a result, a strong conveying flow. The material flow is easily controlled with a pressure regulator.
Our air operated conveyors are quick to install and need neither electricity nor moving parts. This makes them maintenance-free and means they do not wear out.
Coffee & co: our vacuum conveyor for dry foods
Apart from conveying granules in the plastics industry, there is one particular application that is currently in growing demand: conveying coffee beans. Whether this is due, as with craft beer, to the growing number of small producers focusing on high-quality raw materials and gentle processing, we don’t know. But word seems to have got around that the Line Vac is an excellent vacuum conveyor for coffee roasteries.
Tip: the following videos show how easily and quickly the precious beans can be conveyed. The video from our American partner EXAIR clearly shows how the Line Vac is mounted and how easy this system is to use. It is also ideal for short-term use: a hose and a little compressed air are all you need! The second video was recorded at one of our customers.
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More InformationIn addition to the videos above, we would like to point out that our positive experience with conveying coffee so far relates only to whole beans. A one-off customer trial with ground coffee was unfortunately less successful, as the flow behaviour of the coffee powder did not suit our set-up. What always works perfectly, however, are typical “chunky” bulk materials. These include grain, pasta, pulses… and pumpkin seeds.
This high-quality plant product is also conveyed with a Line Vac at one of our customers.
By the way, there are specially developed versions made from food-grade materials for the food and pharmaceutical sectors . And experience has shown that the flexible vacuum conveyor can make work easier, especially in businesses with few staff, when production volumes rise due to the season or demand.
Use an oil-free compressor for food
When it comes to food or luxury foods, clean compressed air is an absolute must. To avoid affecting the quality of the raw materials, the compressed air used should be dry and 100% oil-free. There is a wide range of proven filter technology for this, whose components can be used individually or in combination.
With a professionally designed filter line, the compressed air class required for food can always be achieved. Even so, for maximum process reliability we recommend using an oil-free compressor. This not only rules out the risk of oil breakthrough from the outset but also reduces the complexity of the downstream compressed air filtration.
A wide product range for every requirement
The Line Vac family is designed for a wide variety of applications. We currently stock 11 aluminium models and 10 sizes in stainless steel. These include high and low capacity conveyors as well as extra hygienic versions that are easy to dismantle and clean.
And that’s not all, because there are further solutions for special applications. Whether it’s a particular material or a special size, a lot is possible! The following link shows some examples “outside the norm”: Special vacuum conveyors – Special Line Vacs
Would you like to discuss a project or do you have general questions about compressed air, compressors, applications, safety …? Our Technical Advice team looks forward to your call or email!