Stop Wasting Power! The Impact of Pipe Length on Air Cannon Performance
November 18, 2025-Why Correct Blowing Pipe Length is Critical. The Air Cannon System (or Air Blaster) is vital equipment in industries like cement, mining, and manufacturing. Its primary job is simple: deliver a strong, quick force (impact force) to clear material buildup.
However, installation is not always easy. The length of the pipe—the connecting pipe or blowing pipe—that connects the tank to the nozzle significantly impacts your overall Air Cannon Performance.
This Staminair® Corporation study shows how increased pipe length causes higher pressure drop. Consequently, this reduces your air cannon’s final impact force.
The Data : Longer Pipe Length = Greater. Pressure Loss
Review the test results using various pipe lengths:
Connecting Pipe Length
Without Pipe
50mm
250mm
500mm
750mm
1000mm
1250mm
Pressure Drop Value
12%
2%
0%
7%
8%
15%
17%
As the pipe lengthens past the optimal point, friction and resistance inside the pipe increase. Therefore, more force is lost. This leads to a higher pressure drop before the air even reaches its target.
💡Critical Observation: The 250 mm length appears to be an ideal operational sweet spot, showing a reported 0% pressure drop. This suggests that this specific length might optimize the air’s dynamic flow as it exits the valve chamber. Crucially, extending the pipe beyond this point immediately starts compromising performance.
Analyzing the Performance Graph
The graph illustrates the relationship between the Pressure Drop (X-axis) and a measure of Impact Force or Performance (Y-axis). While the exact units are complex, the trend is the critical takeaway:
The curve—represented by the quadratic function 𝑦 = 14.881𝑥² + 100.6𝑥 – 157.14—shows that as pressure drop increases (moving right on the X-axis), the measured performance value increases. This indicates that the Pressure Drop Value listed in the table is an effect, likely a measurement of friction, and its rise is directly tied to the length of the pipe.
What This Means for Your Operation:
Longer Pipes, Weaker Blasts: A pipe of 1000 mm (1 meter) results in a 15% pressure drop. This means you waste 15% of the energy stored in your air cannon before the blast even hits the material.
Increased Operating Costs: To achieve the required cleaning effect, you must operate your air blaster more frequently. Further more, this leads to higher compressed air consumption, faster component wear, and unnecessary energy costs.
The 250 mm Benchmark serves as a standard for minimizing flow restriction. Ultimately, any deviation far beyond this point introduces measurable and significant energy loss.
Key Takeaways for Optimal Air Blaster Installation
Operators aiming for maximum power and minimal operating costs from their industrial air blasters, should follow these essential guidelines:
Prioritize Proximity: Always install the air blaster unit as close as possible to the point of air injection. Specifically, use the shortest possible blowing pipe length to minimize friction.
Avoid Excessive Lengths: Connection pipe lengths exceeding 750 mm (resulting in 8% or more pressure loss) should be avoided entirely. These severely diminish the system’s intended force.
Maintain Internal Integrity: Longer pipes are more prone to internal corrosion and material buildup over time. Therefore, this will further exacerbate the pressure drop and reduce impact force.
By paying close attention to this vital, yet often overlooked, engineering detail, you can ensure that every cycle of your VORTEX BLASTAIR® system deploys with maximum force, guaranteeing smooth material flow and higher productivity.
