In industries, there’s a good deal of equipment put to use, some of the most common being screw conveyors. There are different types of conveyors that have varying abilities and setups. Have a look at the main differences between two common screw conveyors; the sludge screw conveyor and the flexible screw conveyor.
Sludge Screw Conveyors
Sludge screw conveyors typically move sludge from one point of an industry to another. They are most common in industries that deal with wastewater treatment. They have a number of pros and cons as can be seen below.
Pros
- They’re specially designed to handle sludge safely, efficiently and fast.
- Their construction is robust enough to handle thick, dense sludge without breaking down.
- They are constructed in a way that ensures they can contain sludge effectively. Both the screw seal and the materials that are being conveyed are protected by the enclosure tube.
- Finally, sludge screw conveyors are well-suited for use in harsh environments. They can withstand a number of external factors that could negatively impact other conveyor types.
Cons
- While sludge screw conveyors work with sludge safely and effectively, they’re not particularly versatile. They may not be easy to adjust for use with other materials or for certain conditions.
- In order to keep them functioning optimally, they need regular maintenance. This means you need to find a reliable professional to keep them in good shape throughout.
Flexible Screw Conveyors
Flexible screw conveyors, on the other hand, are screw conveyors with flexible sections. This feature allows them to maneuver around corners and bends so they’re not limited to moving bulk material in a straight line.
Pros
- Thanks to their construction, they can be used in more situations than sludge screw conveyors in terms of construction and material handling.
- They handle material more gently than other solutions and may cause less damage to the bulk material.
- Because they can be bent a number of times, their design can be impressively compact when necessary.
- They offer amazing energy efficiency, making them a great solution for industries that would like to keep their energy bills low.
Cons
- While flexible screw conveyors can be used for many materials, there are some limits because this conveyor can lead to material segregation with bulk material that has a certain nature.
- Since they’re made of a number of parts connected together, they need frequent maintenance and cleaning to ensure that material doesn’t accumulate in them and cause jams or serious damage.
Key Differences
There are a few key differences between a sludge screw conveyor and a flexible screw conveyor. Some of them are as outlined below:
1. Material Handling Focus
- Sludge Screw Conveyor: The best bulk material to use this type of conveyor to move, as mentioned, is sludge.
- Flexible Screw Conveyor: This conveyor can be used for various bulk material, from free-flowing and non-free-flowing to pellets and powders.
2. Material Compatibility
- Sludge Screw Conveyor: This conveyor is most compatible with material that’s in the form of dried, semi-dried, or wet sludge.
- Flexible Screw Conveyor: This conveyor is compatible with a wider range of bulk material types as long as the right specific configurations are made.
3. Versatility
- Sludge Screw Conveyor: Versatility is limited for this screw conveyor.
- Flexible Screw Conveyor: For industries that want to be able to move more types of bulk material, a flexible screw conveyor will prove to be the best option.
4. Design and Construction
- Sludge Screw Conveyor: The design of this conveyor is typically a straight tube, with construction either set up horizontally or at a slight inline to maximize efficiency.
- Flexible Screw Conveyor: This conveyor’s design consists of interlocking curved sections that can change direction.
5. Applications
- Sludge Screw Conveyor: This conveyor is applied mostly in scenarios where bulk material needs to be moved over long distances. It can also be used for shorter distances as long as the space available is reasonable. Some industries that make the most use of this conveyor are those handling thick, semisolid materials like wastewater treatment plants.
- Flexible Screw Conveyor: This conveyor is best for applications whereby the space available is small, or the bulk material needs to be moved around equipment or obstacles without changing the elevations. Some industries that use this conveyor the most include recycling facilities, plastics, and food processing.
Choose the Right Conveyor: Factors to Consider
It’s clear to see that there are many differences between a sludge screw conveyor and a flexible screw conveyor. This makes it crucial to choose the right conveyor for your needs, and some of the factors to consider so that you make the right decision include:
- The type of bulk material that you need to move since different conveyors have different needs in terms of safe and effective handling.
- The layout that you want in your plant in terms of things like curve radii and available space.
- The sanitary requirements that you have for the bulk material as well as the safety of workers.
- The environmental conditions where you’ll set up the conveyor.
- The budget that you have for setup and maintenance of your conveyor.
Conclusion
Both the sludge screw conveyor and the flexible screw conveyor can improve efficiency in various industries. That said, you must pick the right one so that you get the results you need. Buy your sludge screw conveyor or flexible screw conveyor from Sodimate. Engineers at Sodimate will work with you every step of the way to make sure that your plant runs safely and efficiently, and stays clean and conducive for your team to work in.
