The selection and design of pneumatic conveying systems involve key considerations of energy consumption and effects upon the product. Pneumatic conveying must compete with other methods such as mechanical or hydraulic conveying in terms of capital and operating costs and in the ability to operate with minimal effects upon the environment and the particles. One of the most attractive options for friable particles is dense phase pneumatic conveying. Measurements were made of specific energy consumption and particle attrition for a limited range of particulate during dense phase pneumatic conveying. The results have been compared with published correlations and the implications discussed for energy consumption, particle and bulk properties. Specific energy consumption correlated best with solids/air mass ratio but particle attrition was very low because of the relatively low conveying velocity involved.