In an industrial setting, manual labor is not enough when it comes to moving the materials from one place to another. Some materials are not easy enough to handle by manual labor such as slurry, semi-solids, etc. generated in water and wastewater treatment plants.

This is why there are specialized conveyor systems utilized that allow the materials to keep moving and organized. Screw conveyors are noted among the most popular types of conveyor systems although they were discovered centuries ago.

The use of screw conveyor systems allows for quick, easy and controlled transportation of materials through the process line and improving efficiency of the operations. In this blog, we will explore a few of the screw conveyor types that are available and in use popularly.

Each screw conveyor type has some design variations and are used distinctly for specific applications. Continue reading till the end to learn in detail about them.

Horizontal Screw Conveyors

The horizontal screw conveyor is considered to be the most distributed version of the screw conveyor systems, thanks to its easy to use and overall simple design. This type of screw conveyor system can convey materials at 15-45% trough loading. This figure can be defined as the maximum trough capacity divided by the specified trough load for a given material. 

On the contrary, a more sluggish and viscous material will be needed for a lower trough load, whereas a lighter and free-flowing bulk material can be fed at a higher load. The horizontal screw conveyors have the typical arrangement where the drive unit is found at the end of discharge. 

This results in pulling of the material towards the discharge, causing the auger sections in tension while reducing wear and fatigue on the conveyor. Horizontal screw conveyors are ideal for both free-flowing and non-flowing media and can be a great alternative option for traditional belt conveyors while saving cost.

They are also perfect for homogenizing mixtures and can be totally enclosed or left open for inspection based on the environment. They can be used in wastewater applications and hence considered to be the solution for wastewater conveyors.

Vertical Screw Conveyors

The vertical screw conveyors have the capability of elevating large volumes of bulk materials and include all screw conveyors with inclination angles above 45 degrees. They fit perfectly for applications that require transportation of dry to semi-fluid materials while taking up a small footprint. 

The feeding method of these conveyors depends greatly on the material being transported; for instance, light weight material cannot be fed using a gravity hopper alone since the auger blades will blow out the materials as they act as a fan within the system.

This is why a screw type feeder is paired with this type of screw conveyors often in order to regulate the flow of feeding. It also ensures uniform volume of material passes into the conveyor. Furthermore, this feeding method enables the vertical auger to remain operating at a constant speed, lower power consumption and increasing efficiency over time. 

The most common applications of vertical screw conveyors are in wastewater facilities, mining operations, chemical and food as well as wood production.

Shaftless Screw Conveyors

The shaftless screw conveyor which is also known as a ribbon screw conveyor is considered to be an improvement to the typical screw design. This screw conveyor system type allows material to flow via the auger and even around it. 

This may seem like a minor design alteration, however it makes a huge difference in practice as it improves flexibility, efficiency, complexity, and a range of conveyable materials. 

They have the inherent capability of being non-clogging and can transport materials that are not typically handled by screw conveyors such as non-flowing or high-moisture products. They are designed to deliver better efficiency than other conveyors and even other screw conveyors. 

Plus, they do not require the internal bearings as needed in conventional conveyor system designs. Shaftless screw conveyors are most often found in wastewater, food and chemical processing, mining, and other essential industries.

Conclusion 

There are plenty of screw conveyor systems that vary in their design and application area. Some offer more benefits than the other while some are designed to meet the specific needs of the project.

Screw conveyors can also be configured and even customized to the needs of the project specifics. If you are interested in high-end screw conveyor solutions then get in touch with expert screw conveyors suppliers now.