System and method for sanitizing pneumatic conveying piping

摘要

A system and method for sanitizing pneumatic conveying piping is provided. The system includes a motorized hose reel with a pig attached to the end of the hose. The pig is smaller in diameter than the inner diameter of the pipe through which it is conveyed. The decreased size of the pig keeps the conveying speed of the pig through the pipes down, while at the same time providing sufficient force to pull the supply hose attached to the pig through the pipes with the pig. The pig of some embodiments of the inventive concept is shaped as a hollow cone or frustoconical shape. Such a shape reduces weight of the pig and also allows the hose to be inserted through the body of the pig with a spray nozzle at the end. The hollow cone shape deflects relatively easily to allow the pig to go around corners or other obstructions. Also, such a pig design automatically centers the nozzle within the pipe during spraying. The pig of some embodiments is further made of a urethane material that is easily washable and non-porous to maximize sanitary conditions.

主权项

1. A system for sanitizing a conveyance line of a pneumatic conveying system comprising:
a conveyance line having a diameter; a tank for holding sanitizer fluid; a supply hose including a first end that is in fluid communication with said tank; a spray nozzle connected to a second end of said supply hose; a hose reel upon which said supply hose is wound and unwound; a line pig attached to said second end of said supply hose and associated with said spray nozzle; and a pump for pumping sanitizer fluid through said supply hose from said tank to said spray nozzle; wherein said line pig is generally twenty-five percent smaller in diameter than the diameter of the conveyance line.