Equipment Options for Spiral Elevator
Spiral
elevators are engineered to meet exact application requirements. Therefore,
designs vary depending on the process, material, conveying path and
the various surrounding conditions.
Heights from 3 to 25 feet are possible.
Thermal
Treatment Options
Spiral elevators can be designed with options to heat, cool or dry a material
as it is conveyed. The long conveying path with a small footprint makes them
ideal for thermal treatment of a product when floor space is limited.
Direct: Air cooling is accomplished by a vent on top of the elevator
through which cooled air travels into the center tube of the elevator. The
vertical center tube has holes on each level. The cooled air is blown out
of the holes and across the moving material.
Indirect: Water heating, drying or cooling is accomplished
via a laser-welded double floor that is filled with water. The water is the
transfer medium used to heated or cool material as it is conveyed. Oil heating
can also be accomplished in the same way. A thin layer of material on the
conveyor bed works best with this method, and agitation during conveying enhances
the thermal transfer process.
Due to its geometry, the spiral elevator is the best system for indirect heat
transfer; it offers the largest heat transfer surface area compared to its
small footprint in a workspace.
Thermal treatment systems
can be combined. For instance, drying via indirect heat, and then
cooling via direct air. A steam heating system is also available.
Direct
air cooling nozzles >
< Elevator with
cooled water in
bed of path
| 