WACHEMO UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND

TECHNOLOGY
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

Material Handling Equipment presentation

TITLE:Screw Conveyors and Pneumatic

Conveyors
NAME ID NO

1. Samrawit Zeleke 12D0436

2. Sebhadin Ahmed 12D0455
3. Fasika Tekabe 1201575
TO : Mr. MISHAMO
4. Yonas Abriham 12D0881
5. Yosef Amdebirhan 12D0904
6. Gedion Taye 1200483 Submission Date: December 5
 screw conveyors
Screw conveyors are mechanical devices used to transport
bulk materials in a variety of industries. They consist of a rotating
helical screw blade, known as an auger, enclosed in a tube or trough.
As the screw rotates, it moves materials along the length of the
conveyor, typically from one end to the other.
Here are some key features and applications of screw conveyors:

 Design and Components:

Screw conveyors are available in various designs to suit different

applications. The basic components include the screw (auger),
trough or tube, drive mechanism, and support bearings.
The screw is typically made of steel and can have a variety of
configurations, such as a solid or hollow shaft or a shaft with a central
pipe.
 Material Handling:
Screw conveyors are versatile and can handle a wide range of
bulk materials, including powders, granules, flakes, pellets, and
irregularly shaped materials. They are commonly used for
conveying materials such as grains, cement, minerals,
chemicals, food products, and wastewater solids.

 Types of Screw Conveyors:

Screw conveyors can be classified into several types based on

their specific applications and designs. These include horizontal
screw conveyors, inclined screw conveyors, vertical screw
conveyors (also known as screw elevators), shaftless screw
conveyors, and flexible screw conveyors.
 Horizontal Screw Conveyors:

These conveyors transport materials horizontally

and are commonly used for short to medium
distances.
 Vertical Screw Conveyors (Screw Elevators):

These conveyors transport materials vertically and are

used to lift materials to higher levels.
 Inclined Screw
Conveyors:

These conveyors transport

materials at an incline and
are suitable for applications
where elevation changes are
required.
 Advantages:
- Versatility: Screw conveyors can handle various materials and can
be customized to suit specific material properties and flow requirements.
- Simple and Compact Design: Screw conveyors have a
straightforward design, which allows for easy installation, maintenance,
and operation. They occupy less space compared to other conveyor
systems.
- Cost-Effective: Screw conveyors are generally cost-effective to
purchase and operate, making them a popular choice for bulk material
handling applications.
 Disadvantages:
- Limited Incline Capability: Inclined screw conveyors may have
limitations in terms of the angle of inclination they can handle effectively.
- Potential Material Degradation: Some materials, especially
abrasive or fragile ones, may experience degradation or damage during
the conveying process due to the friction and mechanical action of the
screw.
 Design Considerations:
When designing a screw conveyor system, factors such as material
properties (e.g., bulk density, particle size, flowability), desired
conveying capacity, operating conditions (e.g., temperature,
moisture), and layout constraints need to be taken into account.
Proper selection of screw diameter, pitch, speed, and trough design
is crucial for efficient and reliable operation.

 Safety Considerations:
Safety measures should be implemented to prevent accidents during
screw conveyor operation. These may include guarding to prevent
contact with moving parts, emergency stop systems, and proper
training for operators.
 Screw Configuration:
 Solid Shaft Screw:
This type of screw has a solid shaft with a continuous helical blade
running along its length. It is suitable for conveying most types of
materials.

 Shaft with Central Pipe:

This screw configuration has a hollow central pipe encircled by a
helical blade. It is used for conveying materials that require cooling,
heating, or liquid injection during transport.

 Shaftless Screw:
In this design, the screw does not have a central shaft and is ideal
for handling sticky or fibrous materials that may otherwise get
entangled around a solid shaft.
 Design Considerations:
 Screw Diameter and Pitch:
The diameter and pitch of the screw are selected based on the
material properties, desired throughput, and conveying distance to
ensure efficient material flow.

 Trough Design:
The trough or tube enclosing the screw can be U-shaped or tubular,
depending on the application requirements and the material being
conveyed.

 Drive Mechanism:
Screw conveyors are typically driven by electric motors, and the
selection of the drive mechanism depends on factors such as
required speed, torque, and power transmission efficiency.
 Overall, screw conveyors are widely used in
industries that require the efficient and reliable
transportation of bulk materials. Their simplicity,
versatility, and cost-effectiveness make them a
popular choice for material handling applications
 pneumatic conveyours
Pneumatic conveyors, also known as pneumatic transport
systems or pneumatic conveying systems, are used to move bulk
materials through a pipeline using air or gas as the conveying
medium.
Instead of using mechanical components like belts or screws,
pneumatic conveyors rely on the flow of air or gas to transport
materials.

Here are some key features and applications of pneumatic conveyors:

 Conveying Principle:
Pneumatic conveyors work based on the principle of fluidization and
suspension.
Compressed air or gas is used to create a high-velocity stream that
carries the materials through the pipeline. The materials are entrained
in the air or gas flow and transported to the desired destination.
 Material Handling:
Pneumatic conveyors are suitable for a wide range of bulk materials,
including powders, granules, pellets, and even fragile materials.
They are commonly used in industries such as food processing,
pharmaceuticals, chemicals, plastics, minerals, and cement.

 Types of Pneumatic Conveyors:

Pneumatic conveyors can be classified into four main types based
on the conveying method and the airflow pattern:

Dilute Phase Conveying

Dense Phase Conveying
Vacuum Conveying
Pressure Conveying
 Cont...
 Dilute Phase Conveying:

In dilute phase conveying, materials are transported in low

concentration, with a high ratio of air to material. This method is
suitable for non-abrasive materials and longer distances.

 Dense Phase Conveying:

Dense phase conveying involves transporting materials in higher

concentrations, with a low ratio of air to material. It is suitable for
cohesive or abrasive materials, and it operates at lower velocities
than dilute phase conveying.
 Vacuum Conveying:
Vacuum conveying utilizes a vacuum pump to create
suction and transport materials through the pipeline. It
is commonly used for lighter materials or when a dust-
free environment is required.
 Pressure Conveying:
Pressure conveying involves using
compressed air or gas to push materials through
the pipeline. It is suitable for longer distances and
materials that require higher conveying velocities.
 Advantages:
 Flexibility:
Pneumatic conveyors can transport materials horizontally, vertically, or
at various angles, allowing for flexible routing and layout options.

 Dust-Free Operation:
Pneumatic conveyors can be designed to provide a dust-free
environment, which is crucial for industries with strict cleanliness
requirements, such as food processing or pharmaceuticals.

 Gentle Conveying:
Pneumatic conveyors are gentle on materials, making them suitable
for fragile or heat-sensitive materials that may be damaged by
mechanical conveying systems.
 Disadvantages:
 Energy Consumption:
Pneumatic conveyors require a source of compressed air
or gas, which can result in higher energy consumption compared to
mechanical conveying systems.

 Limited Conveying Capacity:

Pneumatic conveyors may have limitations in terms of the
maximum conveying capacity they can handle efficiently.

 Design Considerations:
When designing a pneumatic conveyor system, factors such as
material properties (e.g., particle size, density, flowability), conveying
distance, required throughput, pressure or vacuum levels, and system
layout need to be considered.
 Pneumatic conveyors offer advantages in terms
of flexibility, cleanliness, and gentle material handling,
making them suitable for a wide range of industries.
However, careful consideration of material
characteristics and system design is essential to
ensure optimal performance and reliability.
 The comparison between screw conveyors
and pneumatic conveyors:
A. Screw Conveyors:
1.Screw conveyors are mechanical devices that use a rotating helical
screw blade to transport bulk materials.
2. Screw conveyors are suitable for a wide range of bulk materials,
including powders, granules, flakes, and irregularly shaped materials.
3. They are commonly used in industries such as agriculture, mining,
food processing, and construction.
4. They have a simple design, are easy to install and maintain, and
occupy less space compared to other conveyor systems.
 Cont...

B. Pneumatic Conveyors:
1. Pneumatic conveyors use compressed air or gas as the
conveying medium to transport bulk materials through a pipeline.
2. They work on the principle of fluidization and suspension, where
materials are entrained in the air or gas flow and transported to the
desired destination.
3. Pneumatic conveyors are suitable for a wide range of bulk
materials, including powders, granules, and fragile materials.
4. They provide a dust-free environment and can be designed to
meet cleanliness requirements.
 Summary

Generally both screw conveyors and pneumatic conveyors are

used for bulk material handling but employ different principles.

Screw conveyors are mechanical systems that use rotating

screws, while pneumatic conveyors use compressed air or gas
to transport materials through a pipeline.

The choice between them depends on factors such as material

properties, conveying distances, layout requirements, and
desired cleanliness levels.
THANK YOU!!!