Global Manufacturing GWE Series User manual

Global Manufacturing Inc.®
1801 East 22nd St
Little Rock, Arkansas 72206
501.374.7416 TEL
800.551.3569 TOLL FREE USA & CANADA
501.376.7147 FAX
AIR BLASTERSVIBRATORSVIBRATORS
GlobalManufacturing.com
Copyright © 2021 by Global Manufacturing, Inc
GWE_03/25/2021 ver 1
Air Blaster
Operating Instructions
Global®
Pneumatic Air Blaster
GWE
Series
GWE4-12-28
GWE4-16-34
GWE4-20-30
GWE6-24-48
GWE6-30-60

2
Global Manufacturing, Inc ®800.551.3569 TOLL FREE USA & CANADA
1801 East 22nd Street 501.374.7416 TEL [phone] FAX
Little Rock, AR 72206 USA www.GlobalManufacturing.com
Table of Contents Page
I. INTRODUCTION 3
What is an Air Blaster 3
Applications 3
Safety precautions 4
II. AIR BLASTER OPERATION 5
General overview - How the Air Blaster works 5
Air requirements 5
Air ltration 5
Lubrication 5
When to "re" the Air Blaster 5
Methods of control - Manual versus Automatic operation 6
Use of a quick exhaust valve 6
Required accessories 6
Test ring the Air Blaster 7
III. INSTALLATION 7
Preparation and background 7
Visual inspection 11
Temporary plug removal 11
Installing discharge pipe 11
Mounting the Air Blaster to the discharge pipe 13
General piping instructions for Air Blaster System
air control components 14
Air Blaster control components installation 15
I V. AIR BLASTER START-UP PROCEDURES 19
V. MAINTENANCE 19
VI. DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY OF THE AIR BLASTER 20
Dismounting the Air Blaster 20
Removing the internal valve 21
Valve disassembly 21
Valve inspection 21
Assembling the valve 22
Assembling the Air Blaster 22
Testing the Air Blaster 23
Replacing the Fill Line with a NEW Fill line 24 -25
Appendix A Troubleshooting 26
Appendix B System Recommendations 27
Appendix C Air Blaster Suggested Spare Parts 28
Appendix D Air Blaster Dimensions 29
Appendix E Air Blaster Plumbing Diagrams 30
Appendix F Air Blaster Performance Data 31
Appendix G Coordinates & Dimensions of Elliptical Openings 32
Appendix H Air Blaster Parts Drawings 33 - 37
QEV Parts Drawing & Dimensions 38
Appendix I Replacing QEV Exhaust Port Bands 39

3
Global Manufacturing, Inc ®800.551.3569 TOLL FREE USA & CANADA
1801 East 22nd Street 501.374.7416 TEL [phone] FAX
Little Rock, AR 72206 USA www.GlobalManufacturing.com
I. Introduction
This manual will assist in the installation and operation of Global GWE Series direct blast Air Blasters.
Please read the entire manual to assure proper installation, operation, and maintenance of this equipment.
These instructions apply to the following models:
GWE4.0-12-28: 4" discharge with 12" x 28" (50 liter) pressure vessel
GWE4.0-16-34 4" discharge with 16" x 34" (100 liter) pressure vessel
GWE4.0-20-30: 4" discharge with 20" x 30" (150 liter) pressure vessel
GWE6.0-24-48: 6" discharge with 24" x 48" (300 liter) pressure vessel
GWE6.0-30-60: 6" discharge with 30" x 60" (650 liter) pressure vessel
What is an Air Blaster?
Global Air Blasters are direct blast aerators consisting of a compressed air reservoir with a quick opening
valve that releases the stored air in a sudden, high energy blast. This blast is directed through a discharge
pipe to restore material ow by aerating and dislodging material that is bridging, arching, rat holing, or
clinging.
The direct blast design allows the stored air in the reservoir to escape directly into the discharge pipe
without bends or obstructions that could impede the ow of air. This is important because the quicker the
air discharges, the greater the velocity and force of the blast and, therefore, the greater the amount of
material affected. Air Blasters are activated manually or by a micro-controller based sequencing timer which
controls the ring time interval and sequence of one or more Air Blasters. Global Manufacturing offers two
lines of direct blast aerators, the GWE Series for general use (ambient temperatures below 130°F/55°C)
and the G400 Series for high temperature applications (ambient temperatures up to 400°F/200°C) such
as cement kilns and steel mills where internal kiln temperatures can be as high as 2,000°F or 1,100°C
(mounting instructions must be strictly followed for high temp applications).
Applications:
Air Blasters easily solve bulk ow problems in silos, hoppers, chutes, and storage piles. They are used
where vibration is not practical, or when other methods are too expensive, dangerous, or destructive.
Air Blasters are recommended for a wide range of material clogs and jams and are well suited for large
structures of any type. They are commonly used when it is impractical to vibrate stuck material loose
and are effective for very cohesive, difcult materials. For instance, large concrete bunkers and storage
piles on the ground are impossible to vibrate, but are common locations of ow problems. Wood chips
are very difcult to dislodge by other means, but respond very well to the quick-release Air Blaster. Air
Blasters are also used to periodically aerate material sitting in bins, hoppers, and silos.
Bridging Arching Ratholing Clinging

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Global Manufacturing, Inc ®800.551.3569 TOLL FREE USA & CANADA
1801 East 22nd Street 501.374.7416 TEL [phone] FAX
Little Rock, AR 72206 USA www.GlobalManufacturing.com
DANGER!
The air blast can exceed 1,000 ft/sec (300 m/sec) and 1,500 lb (680 kg) of force. Be
sure to read and follow all safety precautions.
◊ Do not stand in front of any Air Blaster during discharge. The air blast can cause
serious injury.
◊ Use of an Air Blaster to shoot a projectile may cause serious injury or death.
◊ Global Air Blaster pressure vessels are ASME code welded and certied. Do not
weld onto the pressure vessel (tank). Welding to the tank will void ASME
certication and may cause vessel malfunction.
◊ All OSHA, ANSI and owner’s safety procedures and regulations must be followed
during installation, operation, and maintenance of Air Blasters.
◊ Do not discharge Air Blaster into open air without clear warnings to all persons in
the area.
◊ All Air Blasters must be empty of air when being transported, mounted, or
inspected.
◊ Due to recoil, do not discharge an Air Blaster that is not securely mounted to a
structure.
◊ Mount Air Blaster securely on Schedule 40 pipe or equivalent. If the structure
is not sufciently rigid to support the Air Blaster, obtain special mount hardware
from your distributor.
◊ Attach the ring on the end of the Air Blaster tank to a structural support with a
safety cable to prevent the Air Blaster from falling if its supports were
to give way.
◊ Do not enter application structure (i.e. bin or hopper) if Air Blasters are pressurized
and ready to be discharged.
-
◊ Do not allow the internal pressure in a closed storage vessel to exceed its limitations
when the Air Blasters are red. This may cause damage to the storage vessel.
Install exhaust vents if pressures exceed 0.5 psi (0.034 bar). The momentary vessel
pressure following the ring of an Air Blaster can be estimated as follows:
Pm= Air Blaster tank pressure (psi or atm) x Air Blaster tank volume (ft3or liters)
Air Blaster tank volume (ft3 or liters) + Structure volume (ft3 or liters)
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
WARNING!
Caution!

5
Global Manufacturing, Inc ®800.551.3569 TOLL FREE USA & CANADA
1801 East 22nd Street 501.374.7416 TEL [phone] FAX
Little Rock, AR 72206 USA www.GlobalManufacturing.com
II. Air Blaster Operation
General Overview—How the Air Blaster Works:
Each Blaster is charged with compressed air through an air inlet controlled by a 3-way normally open
valve (either a manual valve or a solenoid valve). Once lled, the Air Blaster remains charged as long as
pressure to the tank is maintained by pressure in the ll line. To re the Air Blaster, pressure in the ll
line is suddenly reduced by switching the 3-way valve, evacuating the air in the ll line to the atmosphere.
After ring, re-switching the 3-way valve will restore plant air allowing the Air Blaster to rell. A step-
by-step outline of the lling and discharging process follows:
1. A 3-way valve in the open position allows plant
air to enter the Air Blaster. The pressure of the
plant air insures an air tight seal between the
piston and seat, preventing any air loss while
Air Blaster is waiting to be red.
2. Plant air is forced out through the check valve in
the valve cap to ll the pressure vessel with air.
3. Once lled, the Air Blaster remains on standby
waiting to be red.
4. When the 3-way valve is switched, air in the ll
line is exhausted, causing the air pressure at
the back of the piston to drop.
Air Requirements:
For optimum performance, operate the Air Blaster
on ltered, regulated air between 45 and 125 psi (3
- 8.6 bar). The pressure may be adjusted to obtain
the desired amount of blast force (generally 80-100
psi). Refer to the performance data in Appendix F to
see how the blast force varies with air pressure and
to determine the quantity of air needed to ll the
Air Blaster for each pressure level. A standard air
compressor can be used, however, nitrogen, carbon
dioxide or another inert gas can be used in place
of the normal air supply. The Air Blaster pressure
vessel has a 125 psi pressure relief valve (safety
valve) which can be used to completely exhaust
the compressed air inside the tank without ring
the Air Blaster.
5. Due to the pressure differential created, the
tank pressure forces the piston back into the
open position.
6. The compressed air in the pressure vessel
escapes through the discharge in an explosive
blast that lifts and separates material particles,
restoring material ow.
7. The 3-way valve is re-switched allowing the
plant air to recharge the Air Blaster.
8. The pressure of the plant air forces the piston
to close against the valve seat preventing
contaminants from entering the Air Blaster.
Air Filtration:
Use ltered (40 Micron) compressed air to ll and
operate the Air Blaster.
Lubrication:
Global Air Blasters require no lubrication.
When to "Fire" the Air Blaster:
It is best to discharge the Air Blaster only when
a material ow problem occurs. Firing too often
when the storage vessel discharge is closed is not
recommended. A group of Air Blasters may be red
sequentially using the Global Blaster Master micro-
controller based sequencing timer.
1
1
2 2
Air Blaster lled and in standby Air Blaster discharging Air Blaster recharging
4
6 6
6
6
5
8
7
8 8

6
Global Manufacturing, Inc ®800.551.3569 TOLL FREE USA & CANADA
1801 East 22nd Street 501.374.7416 TEL [phone] FAX
Little Rock, AR 72206 USA www.GlobalManufacturing.com
Methods of Control - Manual versus Automatic
Operation:
Global Air Blaster operation can be controlled either
manually or automatically:
Manual Operation: For strictly manual operation
the Air Blaster is controlled by a 3-way normally
open manual valve. This type of valve has 3 ports
- an inlet to connect to the air source, an outlet to
connect to the Air Blaster, and an exhaust port. A ¾"
valve is used for the GWE4.0-12-28, GWE4.0-16-34,
GWE4.0-20-30, GWE6.0-24-48 and GWE6.0-30-60
models. The manual 3-way valve is placed in the
"open" position to ll the Air Blaster and to keep
it pressurized in a standby, ready-to-re mode. To
discharge the Air Blaster, the valve is moved to the
"closed" position, which exhausts the air in the ll
line between the valve and the Air Blaster. This
sudden decrease in line pressure res the Air Blaster.
The valve should be returned to the "open" position
to rell the Air Blaster for its next use. Since GWE
Series Air Blasters come tted with a G-Series Quick
Exhaust Valve, the manual control valve can be
placed up to 100 feet from the Air Blaster.
Automatic Operation: For automatic operation
the Air Blaster is controlled by a 3-way normally
open solenoid valve. It has 3 ports - an inlet to
connect to the air source, an outlet to connect to
the Air Blaster, and an exhaust port. A ¾" Solenoid
is used for the GWE4.0-12-28, GWE4.0-16-34,
GWE4.0-20-30, GWE6.0-24-48 and GWE6.0-30-60
models. The solenoid is controlled electronically
using a Global Blaster Master timer or a manually
triggered momentary electric switch. When not
energized, the solenoid valve is "open", allowing the
Air Blaster to ll with air. The Air Blaster will remain
pressurized in a standby, ready-to-re mode as long
as the solenoid valve is open. To discharge the Air
Blaster, the solenoid is energized by the timer or
switch closure. This closes the solenoid valve, which
exhausts the air in the ll line between the solenoid
and the Air Blaster. This sudden decrease in line
pressure res the Air Blaster. The timer or opening
of the switch de-energizes the solenoid, the valve re-
opens and the Air Blaster is re-lled for its next use.
Factory Installed Quick Exhaust Valve:
The Air Blaster is discharged by reducing the pressure
in the internal valve assembly. The quicker the
pressure drop occurs, the faster the Air Blaster piston
opens, therefore the faster and more forceful the air
blast. To obtain optimum Air Blaster performance
(maximize the force for the air pressure being used),
the device used for exhausting the ll line should
be as close to the Air Blaster as possible. GWE
Series Air Blasters have a factory installed G-Series
Quick Exhaust Valve. This quick exhaust valve is
actuated by the 3-way valve and will quickly reduce
the air pressure in the Air Blaster valve, resulting in
maximum Air Blaster performance even when the
3-way normally open valve (manual or solenoid) is
placed more than 10 feet from the Air Blaster.
GWE models come with the
recommended quick exhaust
valve mounted on the Air Blaster air inlet port.
This ensures optimum performance of your
Global Air Blaster.
Required Accessories:
This manual includes instructions for installing a
complete Air Blaster system. The following air
control components are necessary for Global GWE
Series Air Blasters to be fully operational. They
are available from Global Manufacturing and your
Global distributor:
1. Shut-off Ball Valve: A 2-way shut-off ball
valve is used to isolate the Air Blaster system from
the plant air supply. Install it between the plant air
supply and all other components in the Air Blaster
system. Clearly label and locate the shut-off valve
where it can be quickly and easily reached in an
emergency or for routine maintenance. Use one
shut-off valve for each lter-regulator-gauge used in
the system. A ½" or larger valve is recommended
for all Air Blaster models.
2. Filter-Regulator-Gauge: The filter-
regulator-gauge (FRG) protects the Air Blaster and
airline components by ltering water and particulate
contaminants from the air supply. It also is used
to control the force output of the Air Blaster by
regulating the air pressure (determines the volume
of air stored in the Air Blaster pressure vessel). For
optimum performance drain the lter reservoir of
the FRG daily. For this reason, an FRG that drains
automatically may be desired. We recommend
using one (1) FRG for every four (4) Air Blasters. A
½"or larger FRG is recommended for all Air Blaster
models.
NOTE

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Global Manufacturing, Inc ®800.551.3569 TOLL FREE USA & CANADA
1801 East 22nd Street 501.374.7416 TEL [phone] FAX
Little Rock, AR 72206 USA www.GlobalManufacturing.com
3. Airline Check Valve: The airline check valve
prevents accidental ring of the Air Blaster due to
pressure loss in the main supply line. If the main
airline loses pressure, the check valve maintains
pressure to the Air Blaster by preventing backward
air ow. Use one check valve for every Air Blaster,
and install it between the FRG and the 3-way control
valve. A ½" or larger check valve is recommended
for all Air Blaster models.
4. 3-Way Control Valve: The 3-way control
valve controls the ring of the Air Blaster. When in
the open position, the Air Blaster is lled with air
and maintained in the standby, ready-to-re mode.
When closed, the Air Blaster is discharged. A ¾"
valve can be used and located up to 100 feet from
any GWE series Air Blaster since these models come
with the recommended quick exhaust valve installed
at the factory. For manual ring only, use a manual
valve. For automatic ring, use a solenoid valve.
5. Quick Exhaust Valve: GWE series Air
Blasters have optimum performance because they
have a quick exhaust valve (QEV) mounted at the
Air Blaster pressure vessel air inlet port. This valve
ensures the rapid depressurization of the Air Blaster
valve necessary to re the Air Blaster and produce
maximum blast force. This QEV allows the 3-way
normally open valve (manual or solenoid) to be
placed up to 100 feet from the Air Blaster without
any substantial loss of blast performance.
Test Firing the Air Blaster:
Before mounting the Air Blaster to the discharge
pipe for the rst time (or before remounting after
servicing the Air Blaster valve), do a test ring.
During tests, place the Air Blaster on its side with
the end opposite the discharge opening adequately
supported to withstand the recoil that occurs when
the Air Blaster is red. The pressure relief valve
must be in place. See page 23.
Because of the hazards associated with the
force of the blast and the recoil, do not ll the
Air Blaster pressure vessel beyond 60 psi (4.1
bar) for testing purposes. Minimum pressure for
testing is 45 psi (3.1 bar).
Warn Personnel in the testing area to stay way
from the Air Blaster discharge outlet. The air
blast can cause serious injury.
Wear eye and ear protection. Air Blasters
produce a very loud noise when discharged
in open space.
III. Installation
Preparation and Background:
Air Blaster Placement: To be sure Air Blasters
provide the greatest effect, it is important to properly
locate them on the storage structure. The placement
and quantity of Air Blasters depends on several
factors.
6. Shape of the storage structure: In
general, square structures require more Air Blasters
than round structures because materials tend to
hang up in the corners. Be sure the Air Blasters
will reach all major problem areas such as corners
and the base of any known or suspected areas of
bridging, arching, rat holing, or clinging.
7. The degree of material ow desired: If
Air Blasters are used to constantly move or aerate
the material, or if the sides of the storage structure
must be kept very clean, more Air Blasters will be
needed than if they are only used to restore material
ow after a stoppage.
8. Properties of the bulk material: Each
Air Blaster has an approximate "area of inuence"
which varies with the properties of the bulk material.
As a rule of thumb, for Air Blaster applications,
bulk materials are grouped into the two categories
described as Type I or Type II Material. See table
on next page.
9. Additional Guidelines: If the discharge pipe
will be longer than 6 feet (1.8 meters) in length, it
is recommended that the next larger size Air Blaster
be used.
WARNING!

8
Global Manufacturing, Inc ®800.551.3569 TOLL FREE USA & CANADA
1801 East 22nd Street 501.374.7416 TEL [phone] FAX
Little Rock, AR 72206 USA www.GlobalManufacturing.com
Use the following charts and diagrams to assist
in determining the number and placement
of the Air Blasters. For best coverage, make
sure the areas of inuence of the Air Blasters
overlap.
If your bulk material has two
or more of the properties listed
for Type I, consider it a Type I Material. If it has
none or only one of the properties for Type I,
but has several Type II properties, consider it a
Type II Material.
Type I Material
Stored in structure with low sloping walls
Stored in structure with small discharge outlet
Density in excess of 55 lb/ft3 (880 kg/m3)
Clings, regardless of weight
Compacts easily
Greasy or pasty consistency
"Sets up" or hardens during holding
Large chunks or mixed size
Heavily oil or water laden
Type II Material
Stored in structure with high sloping walls
Stored in structure with large discharge outlet
Density less than 55 lb/ft3 (880 kg/m3)
Does not cling
Spongy and does not compact
Dry or powdery
Flows easily under most conditions
NOTE
Area of Inuence
The following chart is provided as a guide for selection. The AREA of INFLUENCE data
is based on lling the Air Blaster at 90 p.s.i. (6.2 BAR).
NOTE
8 feet
Type II
5 feet
Type I
9 feet
Type II
6 feet
Type I
10 feet
Type II
7 feet
Type I
12 feet
Type II
8 feet
Type I
10 feet
Type I
15 feet
Type II
GWE4-12-28
GWE4-16-34
GWE4-20-30
GWE6-24-48
GWE6-30-60
Air Blaster illustration below does not show
the Quick Exhaust Valves, which would be on
the end of the tank away from the discharge.

9
Global Manufacturing, Inc ®800.551.3569 TOLL FREE USA & CANADA
1801 East 22nd Street 501.374.7416 TEL [phone] FAX
Little Rock, AR 72206 USA www.GlobalManufacturing.com
Aiming the Air Blast: For Air Blasters to provide
the greatest effect, it is important to aim them
properly. Direct the blast at problem areas such as
corners and the base of any known or suspected
areas of bridging, arching, rat holing, or clinging.
However, directing the blast straight out into the
storage structure most often has disappointing
results. A much more productive blast is one that
skims the internal surface of the structure, forcing
the problem material from the wall and allowing
gravity to pull it down towards the storage vessel
outlet. Therefore, where possible, direct the blast
so it will parallel the inside wall, shearing material
away from the wall to restore material ow. Since
this is often difcult, Global Manufacturing developed
and patented a Tangential Mount system. With
Tangential Mounting the Air Blaster discharge is
directed downward at a steep angle and to the side.
This achieves the following:
1. The "tangential" angling of the discharge (at least
60° below the perpendicular to the storage structure
wall) helps the blast to skim material from the wall.
2. The downward orientation pushes the bulk
material toward the storage structure outlet and
also prevents loosened material from entering the
discharge pipe and possibly contaminating the Air
Blaster valve.
3. The sideward angling of the discharge (same
direction for all Air Blasters on the structure)
helps expand the area of inuence around the
circumference of the structure and promotes a
"cyclone" motion of the material all in one rotary
direction, further assisting in the ow of material.
When using tangential mounting, overlap blast
patterns to give the most effective coverage. Aim
the rst Air Blaster towards the outlet of the storage
structure. Spiral Blasters around the structure,
always keeping in mind the area of inuence.
Top View
Air Blaster
Model
Material
Type
Number of Air Blasters
Recommended per Bin/Hopper Area of
Inuence
Diameter of Structure
ft 3 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
ft m
m 1 1.5 3 4.5 6 8 9 10.6 12 14 15
4" Discharge
GW4-12-28 I * 3 4 6 10 12 14 16 18 20 25 5 1.5
II * 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 8 2.4
GW4-16-34 I * 2 3 6 9 11 13 14 17 18 22 6 1.8
II * 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 11 9 2.7
GW4-20-30 I * 2 4 6 8 10 11 12 15 16 18 7 2.1
II * 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 10 3.0
6" Discharge
GW6-24-48 I * 2 3 5 6 8 9 10 12 14 16 8 2.4
II * 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 3.7
GW6-30-60 I * 1 2 3 4 5 7 10 10 11 12 10 3.0
II * 1 1 2 2 2 2 3 4 5 5 16 4.9
*This application is too small for this model Air Blaster.

10
Global Manufacturing, Inc ®800.551.3569 TOLL FREE USA & CANADA
1801 East 22nd Street 501.374.7416 TEL [phone] FAX
Little Rock, AR 72206 USA www.GlobalManufacturing.com
To assist with mounting and aiming of Air Blasters,
Global Manufacturing offers Tangential Mount
Discharge Assemblies. These mount assemblies
which can be welded or bolted to the storage
structure direct the air blast downward (60° below
the perpendicular to the wall) and 20° to the right.
The discharge assembly supports the Air Blaster as
well (see pg 11 for adequate structure wall thickness)
and includes a mount ange for the Air Blaster and
all hardware. Shown is a Tangential Mount Discharge
Assembly with a 4" discharge. Also available for a 6"
discharge. (Either a ring gasket or full-face gasket
is supplied with discharge assembly.)
Examples of Air Blaster System
Congurations using
Tangential Mounting
Air Blaster Orientation: In general, it is best to mount the Air Blaster so the discharge pipe is straight
and as short as possible. This allows the maximum blast force to be applied to the material in the storage
vessel. A downward slant to the discharge pipe helps prevent the stored material from contaminating the
Air Blaster. However, due to space limitations, these guidelines cannot always be followed. Sometimes
the discharge pipe will have to have a bend or be longer in length, and the Air Blaster may need to be
oriented at different angles. If the air source is of poor quality, containing much water, or if condensation
is a problem, the Air Blaster pressure vessel will need to be drained occasionally. To assist in draining the
tank, three accessory ports are provided; one on the side of the tank, one on the end near the discharge,
and one on the end near the air inlet.
When mounting, be sure the Air Blaster
is oriented so two of these ports are
pointed downward. Once the Air Blaster
is mounted, place a drain valve in the
lowest of the three ports. One of the
other accessory ports is used for the
safety relief valve (provided with the
Air Blaster). Air Blasters manufactured
before May 2001 have only two accessory
ports. They do not have the port on the
end of the tank opposite the discharge
pipe (next to the current air inlet port).
4.0"
Diameter
Pipe
9.0" Diameter
Nuts
8"
30°
16"
Gasket
Lock Washers
Flange Connection
for Air Blaster
Bolts
3/8"
12.00"
12.00"
Pressure
Relief Valve
Drain
Valve