Aero Mechanical Conveyors

Proven Design

As the leading provider of aero mechanical conveyors, Spiroflow has provided these conveying systems operating throughout the world.

Totally enclosed for containment & dust-free conveying

All conveying takes place in a totally sealed tubular system which ensures the dust-free transfer of even the finest powders.

Operates at any angle

Aero mechanical conveyors can convey materials at any angle from 0° and 90° without loss of capacity. The range of configurations is almost limitless. This enables the widest choice of system layout options, using standard components, to optimize available factory space.

Goes around corners

Aero mechanical conveyors can be supplied in a variety of configurations enabling them to transfer materials vertically and horizontally within the same unit.  These conveyors can also be linked together allowing one aero mechanical conveyor to feed another.

Easy to clean

Because of the total transfer capability of aero mechanical conveyors cleaning is not necessary for most applications.  To avoid cross-contamination of product it is often sufficient to simply purge the conveyor with a sacrificial quantity of material.  Safety interlocked cleaning/inspection hatches can be fitted to both the conveying tubes and the sprocket housings.  Additionally, aero mechanical conveyors fitted with wash gates and drains can be washed through with water or another cleaning fluid.

High throughput

Aero mechanical conveyors can operate at speeds up to 36 ft3/min or 2,160 ft3/hour / 1 m3/min or 61 m3/hr, with many products such as flour. They are capable of conveying rates in excess of 160,000 lb/hr / 72,600 kg/hr but this rate will vary according to the bulk density of the product.

Conveys difficult materials

Virtually all materials can be conveyed in an aero mechanical conveyor ranging from the finest of powders to granules, pellets, flakes, and flocks.  We have been particularly successful with titanium dioxide which is a notoriously difficult material to convey.

Low power consumption

Pound for pound conveyed, aero mechanical conveyors are one of the most efficient conveyors available.  Users benefit by their minimal power requirements and associated energy savings.

Gentle conveying action

Materials are suspended in a cushion of air within the conveying tube as it is displaced by the discs traveling at speed.  This makes for a gentle conveying action that minimizes damage to fragile finished products.

Mobile

Spiroflow aero mechanical conveyors can readily be mounted on a wheeled frame complete with controls and a power connection.  This makes it possible to use one conveyor to serve several processes or to remove it to a remote wash-down area for cleaning.  Optional height adjustment on mobile units is also available when they have to pass under low doorways or when they must discharge at different heights.

Maintains mixtures

Given that product is metered into aero mechanical conveyors at a controlled rate, there are almost identical amounts in each pocket between the discs. The conveying action itself is gentle and therefore tends not to disturb mixtures.  The combination of these two factors means that the integrity of mixtures is maintained during conveying.

No dust collection system

With an aero mechanical conveyor no additional air is added to convey material so there is no excess air at the outlet to filter for dust.  Any material that is not ejected at the outlet is simply carried around the enclosed system until it is.

Total batch transfer

It’s simple. What is fed into the conveyor at the inlet is discharged at the outlet.  This makes the aero mechanical conveyor ideal for transferring pre-weighed batches of bulk and/or minor ingredients.

Multiple inlets & outlets

The concept lends itself to multiple outlets so that one conveyor can deliver material to a series of silos for example.  Multiple inlets are possible as long as only one is operational at a time.

Principle of operation

Our aero mechanical conveyor has a tubular design where a continuous wire rope assembly with accurately spaced polyurethane discs move at high speed. At each end of the conveyor, the cable assembly runs around specially designed sprockets, one of which drives the cable assembly and the other tensions it. The drive assembly can be located at either the inlet or outlet of the conveyor depending on its length or to meet plant requirements.

The action of the cable and disc assembly traveling at high speed sets up an airstream running at the same velocity. As material is fed into the airstream, it is fluidized and conveyed to the outlet where it is centrifugally ejected. High capacities are possible with low energy requirements and with minimal product degradation and separation.