Case Study: Application of Cement Screw Conveyors in Bulk Material Transfer

A large building materials production base handles an annual cement throughput of tens of thousands of tons. Its internal transfer operations have long been plagued by dust emissions and insufficient conveying efficiency. The original conveying method involved open-type belt conveyors, which caused dust to become airborne during transfer, resulting not only in material loss but also adversely affecting the working environment. Additionally, due to space constraints within the facility, the large turning radius of the belt conveyors made them unsuitable for the compact layout.

To address these issues, a tubular cement screw conveyor was introduced as the core transfer equipment. This system features a fully enclosed cylindrical housing with a continuous screw blade structure. The inlet is directly connected to the discharge valve of the silo, while the outlet is precisely linked to the downstream elevator. During operation, the screw blades propel the cement through the pipeline at low speed with high torque, completely blocking any pathways for dust leakage. The overall inclination of the equipment is controlled within 15° to prevent cement backflow, while wear-resistant liners extend the service life of the housing.

The upgraded system has achieved the following results:

Environmental Compliance: The fully enclosed structure significantly reduces dust emissions, meeting regional environmental requirements.

Space Optimization: The screw conveyor occupies only one-third of the width of a belt conveyor, enabling successful multi-point deployment within narrow passages.

Stable Operation: Continuous operating time has been significantly extended, with a marked decrease in the failure rates associated with material blockages and leaks.

Energy Savings and Reduced Consumption: The motor power is lower than that of the original belt conveyor, resulting in a reduction in power consumption of approximately 20%.

This case study demonstrates that cement screw conveyors can serve as a clean, efficient, and reliable bulk material handling solution in high-dust, confined-space, and continuous-operation environments.