Feeco - Bucket Elevators

Configurations

Bucket elevators are available in either the centrifugal or continuous configuration. For both options, the elevator can be either the belt or chain type.

Centrifugal

Centrifugal bucket elevators are chosen when there is a need to move large amounts of material quickly. Instead of direct loading, buckets serve as the loading apparatus, scooping material up from the boot or inlet section. For this reason, durable buckets should be selected with this design. Centrifugal force at the head pulley “throws” material from the buckets into the discharge chute. The buckets are spaced in wider intervals to prevent discharge interference from the preceding bucket and to assure maximum fill of the buckets at the boot end while moving at a higher speed. The design of this style yields optimized material fill and reduced interference between buckets.

Centrifugal style elevators are ideal for materials like sand, gravel, woodchips, and other free flowing bulk materials where fragility is not a concern.

Continuous

Continuous bucket elevators are designed to handle friable, fragile materials to minimize product degradation or damage. They are also ideal for handling sluggish or abrasive materials. Continuous bucket elevators are also used to convey light, free-flowing matter where aeration of the material must be avoided.

Material is fed into the buckets from an inlet chute. Buckets are designed for gentle discharge; the buckets are closely spaced on the belt or chain to allow the material to flow over the backside of the preceding bucket, whose extended sides form a chute to guide the material into the discharge spout. Direct loading of the material, combined with the slow speed of this elevator type, avoids the “throwing” action associated with centrifugal style elevators, making it ideal for use with fragile materials.

Belt

Belt bucket elevators offer cost-effective handling for lighter-duty jobs. Buckets are mounted onto a belt made of various compounds depending on the application.

Belt bucket elevators are ideal in settings where noise is a concern, as they offer quiet handling.

Chain

Chain bucket elevators provide a higher-capacity, more durable handling option. They are best for jobs requiring rugged handling of large particles, or materials that are heated or have a potential for combustion.

Bucket Styles

Buckets are available in many shapes, sizes, and materials. Options differ depending on whether the unit is continuous or centrifugal. FEECO offers the following bucket styles:

• Style AA (Centrifugal)
• Style AC (Centrifugal)
• Medium Front (Continuous)
• High Front (Continuous)
• Super Capacity (Continuous)

• Removable top covers
• Access doors for easy maintenance
• Horizontally and vertically heavy-reinforced, jig welded head, boot, and intermediate sections
• Adjustable throat plate at discharge
• Inspection doors on both sides of discharge
• Service platforms and access ladders available
• Heavy-duty construction
• Custom design
• Various bucket designs available

Bucket elevators can handle a variety of materials, and therefore are used in many different industries and applications, though generally, they are not suited for wet, sticky materials, or materials that are stringy or tend to mat or agglomerate. They are frequently found in bulk material handling settings such as power plants, fertilizer plants, pulp & paper mills, and steel production facilities. Some of the most common materials for which bucket elevators are employed include:

• Aggregates
• Animal Feeds
• Calcined Coke
• Coal
• Fertilizer
• Flyash
• Frac Sand
• Minerals
• Potash
• Lime
• Woodchips