Scraper conveyor: principle of operation, types, purpose and features

Scraper conveyors have gained immense popularity in the coal industry. They can move the load along a stationary trench with the help of scrapers that are connected by a mobile chain. These conveyors are used for transportation of pulverized, granular and lumpy cargoes.

Types of scraper conveyors

There are two types of scraper conveyors, which differ from each other in the design and principle of movement of the load.

1 type - conveyors with very high scrapers;

2 type - conveyors having submerged scrapers (the weight is moved by a continuous mass).

The scraper conveyor is used to transport goods that are not crumbled, that is, their quality is not reduced for this reason. With the help of these conveyors, it is possible to move a load with small strength of pieces, since if they are strong, they can start to jam, hitting between the gutter and the scraper.

Scraper conveyor with large scrapers

Scraper conveyors with large scrapers are made of steel with a thickness of 3-8 millimeters. To increase the service life of the scraper conveyor, one strip of wear-resistant material is soldered to the lower scraping edge (high-manganese steel can act). Also used are plastic scrapers. The length of individual elements is determined depending on the angle of the natural slope, the step of the chain, the dimensions of the pieces of cargo, and also the height. The length of the scrapers we selected should best ensure that the space between the multiple chain pitch and the scrapers is filled. But remember that the length should be slightly larger than the largest piece size. The shape of the gutters can be very different.

A scraper conveyor with scrapers submerged should have a much smaller mass and dimensions than the conveyor with large scrapers at the same capacity. These conveyors have a chute consisting of two parts: one for the idler, the second for the working branch. The load must fill absolutely the entire part of the gutter. Thus, when the chain moves, the load moves along the chute.

Conveyors with scrapers immersed in a position to move cargo along a vertical, inclined and even horizontal section of the route. Therefore, they are intended for the movement of small-sized, granular, pulverous, as well as free-flowing cargoes. Scraper conveyors with ease and without overload can lift the load to a height of up to 20 meters, move it to a distance of up to 100 meters, increase productivity to 700 tons per hour.

Advantages of conveyors

Among all the advantages, special importance can be given to the excellent filling of the section of the trough and the possibility of moving the load without overloading on rather difficult routes and corners.

Disadvantages of conveyors

Disadvantages of the scraper conveyor has less advantages than, but, nevertheless, they are. Troughs and scrapers are intensively worn on conveyors, and they consume a lot of energy. Another thing to note is that this device is difficult to transport sticky, wet and abrasive loads, since they have the property of remaining between gutters and scrapers.

Now you know what a scraper conveyor is!