Venturi

From Cornburning

As with pumping water, it is more efficient to push corn than it is to pull it by vacuum through the same hose or pipe.

A blowing system can be readily constructed from a plastic tee or wye through which is fed a separate and appropriately proportioned stream of corn and of rapidly moving air.

The design rules for vaccuum-based systems generally apply equally to blowing systems; e.g., avoidance of sharp bends and inclines, attention to static electricity, and the use of smooth-walled and appropriately sized hose or pipe. The most significant exception is that blowing systems can transfer corn into open containers while vacuum-based system cannot without the use of separate stationary or rotary airlocks.

Transfer rates as high as 60 lb/min by blowing have been demonstrated using the same domestic electric blower/vac unit that otherwise delivers 35 lb/min by suction. See http://s141.photobucket.com/albums/r65/ouellettem/Corn%20Stove/?action=view&current=Cornys3rdBlower_75LbPerMin.flv for a video of a simple blowing system for moving corn from the ground into an IBC tote at the rate of 75 lb/min using the blower units of a 6.5 hp and a 2 hp domestic vac/leaf blower unit through a 1" diameter nozzle; or 60 lb/min using only the larger of the 2 blowers. In addition, see http://forum.iburncorn.com/viewtopic.php?t=8550 for details on the development and construction of this system along with additional videos, photos, tips and commentaries.

Transfer rates as high as 100 lb/min for greater heights have been claimed using more powerful blowers:

http://www.deerfeeder.com/feederfiller.htm http://www.hrbizmall.com/speed-feed/speed-feed-questions.htm

http://www.bossbuck.com/products/feeders/pakmule.html

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Longer distances are also possible. Angus1x's system, shown below, spans 55' with a rise of approximately 7'.

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Courtesy of Ford641

http://www.tobic.com/cornblower/

The part list includes:

1. 3" PVC long sewer pipe.
2. 3" PVC tee.
3. 2" to 2" plastic connector to upsize the vacuum sweeper tube
   diameter to the leaf blower.
4. Sears 210 MPH. gas powered Leaf blower.
5. Vacuum cone nozzle off my Rigid vac.
6. Kids rubber ball cut into strips to hold the vacuum nozzle
   inside the tee for venturi.
7. Long plastic tube off Rigid vac.
8. Project type duct tape.

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Tips

If the corn load is suitably matched to the capacity of the blower, the supply of corn may be delivered through an open container as shown in some of the photos and video clip above. Otherwise, there will be potentially messy blowback through the corn supply container. In this event, it may still be possible to deliver the corn by sealing the corn supply container, as shown by Trinibob in two well narrated videos at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hASgQ09kcpY and at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QALA-2C9Cbc and discussed in the following thread: http://forum.iburncorn.com/viewtopic.php?t=8257 .

Blowing systems require both a high volume and high velocity of air. To increase velocity and potential efficiency of the system, try introducing the air through a nozzle such as the type provided with leaf blowing systems. The penetration depth of the nozzle into the tee or mixing area can be critical. Experiment to find the so-called "sweet spot."

The rate of corn flow into the tee or mixing area must be appropriate to the size of the pipe or hose and to the capacity of the blower. In general, the pipe or tubing from the corn supply should be slightly narrower in diameter than the discharge pipe. If corn is introduced too rapidly, there will be a risk of choking and/or blocking the system. Consider using an adjustable valve or gate to regulate the corn flow.

Avoid increasing the diameter of the discharge pipe or hose along its course. This will slow the movement of corn.

If you have a high volume air compressor, consider using it in lieu of or in addition to a blower. Note, this is just an idea. It hasn't yet been demonstrated on IBC. Warning: do not try this with a closed or sealed corn supply container without a suitable pressure relief valve. If the system blocks, something could otherwise blow with destructive, if not lethal, force.

Blowing can be a somewhat dusty business best suited to the outdoors. Indoor blowing operations generally require provisions for venting or containing the dust. See http://forum.iburncorn.com/viewtopic.php?t=8257 for ideas for such provisions. Warning: for excessively dusty corn, such as spoiled corn, be mindful of the conditions for dust explosion [[1]]. This applies equally to vaccum-based or any other system containing the potential for the 5 following conditions:

A combustible dust; 
The dust is suspended in the air at a proper concentration; 
There is an oxidant (typically atmospheric oxygen); 
The dust is confined; 
There is an ignition source as insignificant as the arcing of an electric motor or switch.