Screw Conveyor for Cement and Bulk Powder
Industrial Screw Conveyors for Controlled Feeding and Short-Distance Material Transfer
What is a screw conveyor？
A screw conveyor is an enclosed mechanical conveying device that moves cement, fly ash, lime powder, mineral powder and other dry bulk materials through a rotating helical screw inside a trough or tube. Jiangsu LVRUI Machinery manufactures screw conveyors for silo discharge, controlled feeding, dust collector discharge, packing systems and short-distance powder transfer. The conveyor diameter, length, screw pitch, motor power, inlet arrangement and outlet position can be customized according to the material and installation layout.
Unlike pneumatic conveying equipment, this mechanical conveyor moves material without requiring a continuous conveying air supply. It is normally selected when the conveying distance is relatively short, the installation area is limited, or stable feeding from a hopper, silo or filter is required.
Features
✅ Enclosed conveying structure helps reduce material leakage and external dust escape.
✅ Conveyor diameter, length, screw pitch, inlet and outlet positions can be customized.
✅ Carbon steel and stainless steel configurations are available for different materials and working conditions.
✅ Horizontal and inclined arrangements can be supplied according to the site layout.
✅ Gear motor, screw speed and drive configuration are selected according to the required capacity and material load.
✅ Wear-resistant screw flights, liners or reinforced components can be considered for abrasive materials.
✅ Multiple inlets or outlets can be arranged when required by the process.
How Does a Screw Conveyor Work?
The drive unit rotates the central shaft and helical screw inside the conveyor casing. As the screw turns, material entering through the inlet is pushed forward along the trough or tube and discharged through the outlet.
Conveying performance depends on the screw diameter, screw pitch, rotation speed, filling level, installation angle and material properties. A properly sized unit can provide stable material transfer or controlled feeding, but the design must consider the risk of compaction, overload and material buildup.
Types Available
LVRUI supplies several configurations for different installation and maintenance requirements.
| Screw Conveyor Type | Recommended Application | Main Feature |
|---|---|---|
| LS Screw Conveyor | General cement and dry powder conveying | Modular design for horizontal or inclined transfer |
| U-Type Screw Conveyor | Applications requiring regular inspection or cleaning | Removable upper cover provides easier access |
| Tubular Screw Conveyor | Enclosed powder transfer in compact layouts | Fully enclosed tube improves containment and installation flexibility |
The correct conveyor type should be selected according to the material characteristics, conveying distance, inclination, maintenance requirements and available installation space.
Suitable Materials
Standard screw conveyors are commonly used for:
✅ Cement
✅ Fly ash
✅ Lime powder
✅ Gypsum powder
✅ Mineral powder
✅ Dry mortar materials
✅ Collected dust
✅ Other free-flowing dry powders and small granules
Special confirmation is required for clinker, wet material, sticky powder, large particles, high-temperature material or highly abrasive products. These materials may require adjusted screw speed, reinforced flights, wear-resistant liners, special sealing or a different conveyor type.
Typical Applications
These conveyors can be installed in many sections of a cement or dry powder handling system, including:
✅ Below storage silos and hoppers
✅ Under bag filters and dust collectors
✅ Between crushers, mixers and packing machines
✅ Feeding rotary valves or other downstream equipment
✅ Transferring powder to bulk loading systems
✅ Returning collected dust to the production process
✅ Metering material into a controlled process
For gravity conveying of fine aerated powder over a longer distance, an air slide conveyor may be more suitable. For vertical lifting, a bucket elevator should normally be considered instead of a screw conveyor.
Not sure which conveying method fits your powder handling process? Compare an air slide conveyor vs screw conveyor before making a selection.
Screw Conveyor or Screw Feeder?
A screw conveyor is mainly used to move material from one point to another. A screw feeder is designed to withdraw material at a controlled rate from a hopper, bin or silo.
Although the equipment structure can be similar, the design basis is different. A feeder must control the material load at the inlet and is usually designed for a more uniform filling condition. The customer should confirm whether the equipment is required for transfer, feeding or both.
Selection Information
To recommend a suitable model, please provide the following information:
| Required Information | Details |
| Material | Product name, bulk density, particle size and moisture condition |
| Required Capacity | Conveying rate in t/h, kg/h or m³/h |
| Conveying Length | Total horizontal and inclined distance |
| Installation Angle | Horizontal or inclined arrangement |
| Inlet and Outlet | Quantity, position and flange dimensions |
| Material Temperature | Normal or high-temperature application |
| Construction Material | Carbon steel, stainless steel or special requirement |
| Feeding Method | Hopper, silo, valve, dust collector or other upstream equipment |
| Operating Method | Continuous or intermittent operation |
| Layout Drawing | Installation dimensions or process drawing if available |
The material name and required capacity alone are not enough for accurate selection. Installation angle, inlet loading condition and outlet resistance can significantly affect conveyor performance.
CEMA publishes ANSI/CEMA standards covering screw conveyor dimensions and the application of screw conveyors for bulk materials.
Manufacturing and Customization
LVRUI manufactures each unit according to customer process requirements and connection dimensions. The supply scope can include the conveyor casing, screw shaft, bearings, seals, gear motor, inspection cover, support legs and matching inlet or outlet flanges.
Before shipment, the main dimensions, rotation direction, assembly condition and external appearance can be checked according to the agreed drawing and order requirements. For export delivery, the equipment can be prepared in suitable sections based on transportation and container limitations.
Screw conveying system FAQs
What materials can a screw conveyor handle?
It is commonly used for cement, fly ash, lime powder, mineral powder, gypsum powder, collected dust and other dry bulk materials. Material moisture, abrasiveness, temperature and particle size must be confirmed before selection.
What is the difference between a U-type and tubular screw conveyor?
A U-type conveyor has a removable upper cover, making inspection and cleaning easier. A tubular conveyor uses a fully enclosed round casing and is suitable for compact installations or applications requiring improved containment.
Can a screw conveyor operate at an incline?
Yes, but conveying capacity normally decreases as the inclination increases. The screw diameter, speed, filling level and motor power should be recalculated for inclined operation.
Can one screw conveyor have several inlets or outlets?
Yes. Multiple inlets or outlets can be manufactured when required, but their positions and operating sequence must be confirmed during design.
How do I choose the correct screw conveyor size?
Selection should be based on material properties, required capacity, conveying distance, installation angle, inlet condition, operating time and outlet arrangement. A layout drawing is strongly recommended.
What maintenance does a screw conveyor require?
Regular maintenance includes checking the gear motor, bearings, shaft alignment, seals, screw flights and casing for wear or material buildup. The inspection frequency depends on the operating time, material abrasiveness and conveying load. The conveyor should be stopped and isolated before opening the inspection cover or carrying out maintenance.
Need Help Selecting a Screw Conveyor?
Send LVRUI your material, required capacity, conveying length, installation angle, inlet and outlet dimensions, and available site layout. LVRUI will confirm a suitable screw conveyor type, diameter, drive configuration and connection dimensions according to your operating conditions.
✅ Screw diameter and capacity matched to the conveyed material
✅ U-type, tubular or other suitable structure selected for the application
✅ Carbon steel or stainless steel construction options
✅ Inlet, outlet and installation dimensions customized to the site layout