In the industrial heartland of Cleveland, Ohio, a cutting-edge project has set a new benchmark for the handling and dosing of lime powder. This case study examines a fully automatic pneumatic conveying and dosing system engineered by Shandong Haide Powder Engineering Co., Ltd., a leading provider of pneumatic conveying solutions based in Shandong, China. The system’s core technology—pneumatic conveying of lime powder—demonstrates how advanced automation can eliminate manual intervention, reduce dust emissions, and ensure precise, reliable material delivery in demanding environments.
The client, a large water treatment facility in Cleveland, required a robust solution for the storage, transfer, and dosing of quicklime (calcium oxide) powder. The existing manual handling process posed significant safety hazards, including dust exposure and inconsistent feed rates. The facility needed a system that could operate 24/7 with minimal operator oversight, comply with strict US environmental regulations, and integrate seamlessly with existing plant controls. After evaluating multiple international suppliers, the client selected Shandong Haide Powder Engineering Co., Ltd. due to its proven expertise in American pneumatic conveying standards and its track record of delivering turnkey installations across North America.
The heart of the solution is a dense-phase pneumatic conveying system specially designed for the tough properties of lime powder. Lime powder is hygroscopic, abrasive, and prone to bridging, making it a challenging material to handle. The system uses a positive pressure blower to push the powder through a closed pipeline from the storage silo to multiple dosing points. Key components include a heavy-duty rotary airlock feeder, a wear-resistant pipeline made of stainless steel, and a PLC-based control panel that manages all conveying parameters. The entire process is enclosed, which prevents fugitive dust and protects the material from moisture contamination. This fully automatic pneumatic dosing system ensures that the lime powder is delivered at a constant rate, regardless of variations in bulk density or particle size.
The dosing stage is where the system truly shines. Each dosing unit is equipped with a gravimetric feeder that continuously measures the weight of lime powder being discharged. The feedback from the load cells is sent to the central controller, which adjusts the conveying speed and valve timing to maintain the exact setpoint. This closed-loop control achieves a dosing accuracy of ±0.5% by weight, even at flow rates as low as 50 kg/h. The system includes automatic filter cleaning, purge cycles, and a self-diagnostic function that alerts operators to any deviation. As a result, the Cleveland facility has eliminated manual scooping and shoveling, reduced lime powder waste by 12%, and lowered maintenance costs by 40% compared to the previous mechanical screw conveyor.
To meet the stringent requirements of the US market, the entire system was designed and fabricated in accordance with ASME B31.3 (Process Piping) and NFPA 654 (Combustible Dust Standards). The explosion-proof electrical components and the intrinsically safe instrumentation ensure safe operation in dusty environments. The system also passed the Cleveland fire department’s on-site inspection with zero non-conformances. The use of American pneumatic conveying principles—such as high-velocity dilute phase for long distances and dense phase for short, abrasive transfers—allowed the team to optimize the pipe layout without exceeding the pressure drop limits. This project demonstrates that a Chinese manufacturer can deliver equipment that not only meets but exceeds US regulatory expectations.
The installation was completed in six weeks, with a commissioning phase of only 10 days thanks to the modular design of the dosing skids. Since commissioning, the system has operated for over 8,000 hours with 99.8% uptime. The plant manager reported a 60% reduction in operator labor hours related to lime handling, and the ambient dust levels in the dosing area dropped below 1 mg/m³—well within OSHA permissible limits. The success of this Cleveland project has led to two additional orders from similar facilities in Michigan and Ohio. For more information about this system, please contact Manager Zhang at Shandong Haide Powder Engineering Co., Ltd. (phone: 15662777102) for a detailed technical discussion.
Shandong Haide Powder Engineering Co., Ltd. (Haide Powder) is a specialized engineering firm with over 15 years of experience in designing and manufacturing pneumatic conveying systems. Our team of 30 engineers focuses exclusively on powder handling, from lime and cement to fly ash and food additives. We offer free feasibility studies, 3D layout drawings, and on-site installation supervision. Our factory in Shandong, China, is ISO 9001 certified and equipped with full-scale test rigs to simulate real-world conditions before shipment. Whether you need a small mobile dosing unit or a large-scale centralized system, we can tailor the solution to your specific material and budget. To discuss your project, contact Manager Zhang at 15662777102. We are ready to serve clients across the Americas, Europe, and the Middle East.
The Cleveland lime powder pneumatic conveying and fully automatic dosing installation is a powerful example of how advanced engineering can transform a dirty, dangerous manual process into a clean, precise, and automated operation. By combining robust hardware with intelligent software, Haide Powder has delivered a system that exceeds the client’s expectations in terms of accuracy, reliability, and safety. For any organization seeking to upgrade their bulk material handling, the lessons from this American project are directly applicable. Reach out to Manager Zhang at 15662777102 to learn how Haide Powder can bring similar benefits to your facility.
Shandong Headpowder Engineering Co., Ltd.
156-6277-7102（Manager Zhang） 
0531-83386006 
Jinan City, Shandong Province, China 
telephone
WeChatconsult
top