Manufacturers of mechanical handling equipment for efficient and effective bulk material movement

The most common types of mechanical conveying systems are (flexible) screw conveyors, vibratory conveyors, belt conveyors, (drag and tubular) chain conveyors and (bucket) elevators.

These are the most commonly used mechanical conveying systems in various industries, each suited for specific applications and material types. Here’s a quick overview of each:

1. Flexible Screw Conveyors

• Description:
  • A helical screw rotates inside a flexible or rigid tube, moving materials from the inlet to the discharge point.
• Common Applications:
  • Ideal for powders, granules, and small-size bulk materials.
  • Used in food, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and plastics.
• Advantages:
  • Simple design, easy to clean, and cost-effective.
  • Can handle multiple angles (horizontal, inclined, or vertical).
• Limitations:
  • Not suitable for abrasive or sticky materials that may cause wear or clogging.

2. Vibratory Conveyors

• Description:
  • Use vibration to move materials along a trough or surface.
• Common Applications:
  • Fragile materials like food products (chips, nuts) and granular materials like sand.
• Advantages:
  • Gentle on materials, low maintenance, and excellent for short distances.
  • Can handle both dry and wet materials.
• Limitations:
  • Limited capacity for long-distance transport.

3. Belt Conveyors

• Description:
  • A continuous belt runs over pulleys, moving material from one end to the other.
• Common Applications:
  • Transporting coal, cement, aggregates, and grains over long distances.
• Advantages:
  • High capacity, energy-efficient, and customizable for any length or inclination.
• Limitations:
  • Less effective for very sticky or abrasive materials.

4. Chain Conveyors (Drag and Tubular)

• Description:
  • Drag Chain Conveyors: Material is dragged along a trough using chains with flights.
  • Tubular Chain Conveyors: Materials are enclosed and moved along a circular path using chains with discs.
• Common Applications:
  • Handling ash, biomass, grain, and powders.
• Advantages:
  • Enclosed systems minimize spillage and dust emissions.
  • Can handle abrasive and high-temperature materials.
• Limitations:
  • Higher maintenance for chains and flights.

5. Bucket Elevators

• Description:
  • Buckets attached to a belt or chain vertically lift materials to a higher elevation.
• Common Applications:
  • Lifting powders, granules, and lumpy materials like clinker, limestone, and grains.
• Advantages:
  • High vertical lifting capability, compact design, and enclosed for dust control.
• Limitations:
  • High initial cost and maintenance for chains or belts.

Choosing the Right System

When selecting a mechanical conveying system, consider:

• Material Properties: Bulk density, abrasiveness, moisture content.
• Capacity and Distance: Volume of material and conveying length.
• Layout: Horizontal, inclined, or vertical transport needs.
• Industry Requirements: Cleanability for food/pharma, durability for cement/mining, etc.

Each system has its niche, and often, multiple systems are combined within a plant for optimal performance.