Monday, August 27, 2018

Useful Facts Regarding Screw Conveyors

By Kenneth Hamilton


The history of conveying systems is not a short one. One of the best inventions of the ancient time are the auger conveyors, also known as screw conveyors. History places the evolution of this machine in the ancient Greece. As it happens, the design of auger conveyor was adapted from a prototype built by Archimedes back in the days. This inventor is responsible for the invention of a unique design which was used in transferring liquids from the bottom to the top.

Initially, the main liquid that was lifted by this device was water. Rotation of the helical screw blade is the mechanism used to operate it. The blade was placed inside a tube. Auger conveyors are currently being used to move granular materials and liquids. This is why they are commonly used by industries and companies that deal with bulk material handling.

There are several materials that are moved using this system. They include aggregates, food waste, wood chips, cereal grains, municipal solid waste, bone meal and boiler ash among many others. The spiral blade is usually coiled around a shaft which is then driven at one edge while the other end stays permanent. There are others that are designed differently whereby one edge of the shaft is free and the other one is driven.

The auger conveyors are made to function in that rate of the volume transferred is directly proportional to how fast the speed of rotation of the shaft is. This enhances efficiency. These machines are applied as variable rate feeders in controlled industrial processes. Therefore, to make sure that only a specific amount or a measured rate of material is supplied in the process, the rate of rotation of the system is varied.

So far, the commonest type of screw conveyor used is the horizontal screw conveyor. These type of conveyors are built in different lengths, sizes, and configurations. Also, the materials used in their construction vary a lot. Usually most conveyors operate at 15, 30 and 45 percent trough loading. The percentage of trough loading depends on certain characteristics of the material being moved.

For light, non-abrasive and free-flowing materials, a 45 percent trough loading rate is the appropriate level. The density of the item, its sluggishness and its abrasiveness usually determine whether the percentage can be placed at 30 or 15 percent. Conveyors have several disadvantages. Firstly, during transportation, they may be blocked if materials get stuck on the spiral blade.

Blockages can result into a lot of inconveniences including delays and damage of the shaft. The damages suffered can cost a lot in terms of repairs. Also, there are some parts that are irreparable, meaning that if they get damaged the only remedy is replacement with a new one. It is for this reason that repairs are recommended after a certain period.

In conclusion, better conveyors have been invented as technology improved. The better conveyors have new and better designs because they are well adapted, well sealed, need low maintenance, easy to operate, and produce less noise. They are also energy saving and are good at dust prevention. In addition, they are well arranged in terms of the position of inlets and outlets. They are also of different shapes and sizes, giving people a a wide choice to pick from.




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