Martin Engineering celebrates 50 years of air cannon technology

Air cannons have transformed material flows in bulk processing systems, eliminating problematic internal buildups and blockages.

The company launched the world’s first low-pressure pneumatic air cannon – its Big Blaster^® – in 1974.

The patented technology was designed to dislodge stubborn material stuck to the inside walls of hoppers and silos by firing precisely timed bursts of compressed air to keep bulk material flowing and preventing the growth of serious build-ups and blockages.

By the 1980s, as Martin Engineering expanded its global presence, the Big Blaster was already being reimagined for use in high-temperature industrial applications to maintain the flow of sticky materials through the process and minimise unscheduled downtime.

By the 1990s, Martin Engineering had developed an extreme heat and velocity version of the Big Blaster, the XHV, with an all-metal construction capable of withstanding the harshest of conditions. In the 2000s, Martin became the first to introduce safer positive-pressure firing valve with its Tornado air cannon – technology that prevents unintentional firing if there is a drop in system pressure, and also allows solenoid valves to be positioned up to 60m (200 ft) from the air cannon for easier access and maintenance. Designed with safety in mind, the positive firing valve also delivers a more powerful blast.

In 2008, Martin Engineering opened its Center for Innovation, which accelerated the company’s air cannon technology advancements including:

SMART^TM Series Nozzles with multiple nozzle tips, one of which features a retractable design that extends the 360° nozzle head into the material stream only when firing, protecting it from repeated abrasions and extreme temperatures. Its Y-shaped assembly means the nozzle can be installed, accessed, and serviced without removing the air cannon or further disruption to the vessel structure and refractory.

The Martin^® Thermo Safety Shield acts as a safety barrier to allow timely and safe maintenance of air cannon systems. It protects workers from exposure to severe temperatures so that maintenance can take place safely and production stays on schedule.

Brad Pronschinske, Martin Engineering’s Global Air Cannon Product Manager, said: “From the very beginning, our air cannons were specifically designed to produce a quiet but powerful, high-velocity discharge of plant-compressed air to dislodge buildups and enhance material flow. They were developed to be capable of handling the high temperatures, harsh gases and abrasive, corrosive materials associated with heavy industries, and yet have low maintenance requirements and low costs. Since the launch of the Big Blaster 50 years ago we have continued to innovate, introducing smarter and ever more powerful air cannon systems that improve efficiency, productivity, and safety.

“We’re especially proud that Martin air cannons have become so important in reducing the health and safety risks associated with clearing blockages manually – such as working in confined spaces, working at height, falling materials, and working in hot and dusty environments. Our team is always working on new developments and we’re looking forward to bringing the next generation of air cannon technologies to our customers all over the world.”

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/mining/19042024/martin-engineering-celebrates-50-years-of-air-cannon-technology/