Suction Lance

The suction lance is the first point at which the conveying line comes into contact with the raw material. It is dipped into the container together with the hose and suction starts from here; the air taken into the system in a controlled way allows the granulate to be conveyed without blocking the tube.

Michel Tube suction lances are produced in various lengths and diameters. Having the handle (Bügel) on the inside leaves no protrusion on the lance body on which the granulate could catch — on designs with an external handle, material build-up and flow interruptions can be seen at this point. At Michel Tube, suction lances are available in aluminum, stainless steel and aluminum/stainless steel hybrid variants.

This product is made of aluminum; it is supplied in the execution with handle (mit Bügel), in 6 different diameters (Ø 30.0 – Ø 60.0 mm) and 3 different overall lengths (approximately 600 / 1,200 / 2,000 mm).

The part that determines the quality of suction

The suction lance is the first point at which the line comes into contact with the raw material. If the air-material balance here is wrong, the conveying runs irregularly however well the rest of the line has been built. The lance is dipped into the container (container, octabin) together with the hose, and suction starts from this point.

Here false air is not a defect but a necessity

In the rest of the line false air is an unwanted leak; at the suction lance, however, a controlled air inlet is part of the design. If granulate is drawn on its own it blocks the tube; to be conveyed it has to be mixed with air. The air setting of the lance determines this mixing ratio.

If the setting is wrong, two typical outcomes are seen: with too much air the conveying capacity falls and energy is wasted unnecessarily; with too little air the granulate piles up in the tube and blockage begins.

Positioning

If the lance is too close to the bottom of the container, it becomes unable to draw material; if it stays too high, the suction cuts off before the container is empty. If material is building up at the bottom of the container, the lance position should be reviewed.

Material selection

In standard applications aluminum is sufficient. With abrasive raw material and in food applications a stainless body is preferred; the options are on the suction lances page.