2022

AGRICULTURAL AND BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING

BOARD EXAM REVIEWER

MATERIAL HANDLING

by

Engr. Alexis T. Belonio, MS

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineer
ASEAN Engineer

Volume 6 –AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD PROCESS ENGNEERING

Introduction

n The performance of processing plant is affected by the

efficiency of the movement of materials from one unit
operation to another. In agricultural and food processing
systems, harvested products are moved, transported, and
conveyed from one place to another.
n For grains and cereals, for example, they move from the
drying bin to the storage bin or from the truck to the dryer
or bins.
n Material handling generally implies the movement of
materials in any direction whether it be horizontal, vertical,
or any combination of the two. Lifting, shifting, placing,
stacking and transporting are the various phases of
handling the materials.
Classifications of Handling
Equipment

n Belt conveyor
n Screw conveyor
n Bucket elevator
n Drag or chain conveyor
n Pneumatic conveyor
n Gravity conveyor
n Cranes conveyor
n Lifts, trucks and carts
Belt Conveyor

n Belt conveyor is essentially an endless belt operating between

two or more pulleys with its load supported on idlers. The
installation may either be simple or heavy belt that is supported
by antifriction bearings. In grain processing, it may be flat for
moving bags of paddy or V-shaped for moving bulk of paddy.
The belt conveyor consists of a belt, drive and end pulleys,
idlers, a drive and tension mechanism, and loading and
discharge devices. Its capacity depends on the belt width,
angle of trough, and belt speed.
Belt Conveyor Characteristics

Materials Capacity Hp Cost Advantages Disadvantages

Grain, High Low High -can be used for -limited in angle
packaged long distances of elevation
units -low power -expensive
requirements
Advantage Features of a Belt Conveyor

• High mechanical efficiency

• Negligible damage to product being conveyed
• Conveying capacity is high
• Can convey materials at long distance
• Self-cleaning
• Long service life
• Limited elevating capacity
• High initial cost
n Belt conveyors have high mechanical efficiency because the
load is carried in an antifriction bearing. Damage to product,
like grains, is almost nil since there is no relative motion
between the product being carried and the belt. The carrying
capacity is high since relatively high speed is possible.
Materials can be conveyed in long distances but limited to
angle in some extent. Property designed belt conveyors have
long service life but the initial cost is usually high. These are
widely used for moving paddy in many installations. They
range from 30 to 100 cm in width and may be up to several
hundred meters in length.
n Types of Belt Conveyors
• Flat Belt
• Trough
n Cross-section of loaded belts of various sizes are given in
Table 1. A trough angle of 20 degrees is suited for paddy and
most of other grains. Other common trough angles are 35 and
45 deg. Paddy forms a surcharge angle of 20 deg. Other
surcharge angles are 5 and 30 deg.

n Best inclination for paddy and most grains is limited to 16 to 17

deg. With inclines higher than this, the grains begin to roll or
slide back the belt; thus, reducing its effective carrying capacity.
Estimated Belt Capacities
Belt Belt Speed Burden Area, cm2 Capacity, m3/hr
Width (m/min) 20* 35 45 20 35 45
(cm)
36 120 52 - - 37 - -
40 140 78 - - 66 - -
46 140 107 139 - 90 117 -
50 150 137 - - 123 - -
60 180 209 294 340 226 318 367
75 210 350 495 557 441 624 702
90 230 518 728 820 715 1000 1130
107 240 737 1000 1150 1060 1440 1660
122 240 975 1330 1610 1400 1920 2320

*Angle of side roller in degrees.

Belt Width

n To determine the belt width, the following formula is used,

Capacity (m3/hr) = Area of Cross-Section (m2)

x Speed (m/min) x 60
Cross-Section Area of Loaded Belt and
Maximum Belt Speeds

Belt Clear Total Cross-Section Operation Speeda (m/min)

Width Margin Area (m2) for 20° Normal Maximum
(cm) (cm) Surcharge Angle
30.5 4.1 0.0072 61 122
35.6 4.3 0.0089 61 122
40.6 4.6 0.0122 61 137
45.7 4.8 0.0161 76 137
50.8 5.1 0.0204 76 162
61.0 5.6 0.0308 91 183
76.2 6.4 0.0504 107 213
a Belt
speed should be 91 m/min where a tripper is to be used and 46-76 m/min where a plow is to be
used.
Revolutions per Minute (rpm) of Pulley
Shaft for Various Belt Speeds and Pulley
Diameters

Belt Speed Pulley Shaft rpm when Pulley Diameter is

(m/min) 50 cm 60 cm 76 cm 90 cm 110 cm
30 20 16 14 11 9
46 28 24 20 16 14
61 38 32 25 22 18
76 48 41 32 27 24
91 55 48 38 32 27
107 65 55 45 38 32
122 75 65 51 43 36
The belt conveyor has a pulley diameter of 50 cm. It will be ran at a
speed of 48 rpm. If the width of the belt is 40 cm with an estimated cross
sectional area of 0.012 m2 for a surcharge angle of 20 deg, what will be
the capacity of the conveyor belt, in tons of paddy per hour. Assume a
paddy density of 600 kg/m3.

Given: Pulley diameter - 50 cm

Pulley speed - 48 rpm
Belt width - 40 cm
Belt cross-sectional area- 0.012 m2
Surcharge angle - 20 deg
Paddy density - 600 kg/m3

Required: Belt capacity in tph

Solution:
(a) V belt = 3.1416 x Dp x Np
= 3.1415 x (50 cm/100 cm/m) x 48 rpm
= 75.4 m / min

(b) Capacity = A x V x 60
= 0.012 m2 x 75.4 m/min x 60
= 54.3 m3/min x 600 kg/ m3
= 32,580 kg/hr x ton/100 kg
= 32.58 tons/hr
Horsepower of Belt Conveyor

Horsepower to Drive Empty Conveyors

Hp1 = [(S/ 0.3048) (A + B (3.28 L))] / 100)

where:

Hp1 - horsepower to drive empty conveyor

S - belt speed, m/min
L - belt length, m
A, B - constants from Table below
Horsepower to Convey Materials on Level

Hp2 = [ C (0.48 + 0.01 L) / 100 ]

where:
Hp2 - horsepower to convey materials horizontal
C - belt capacity, tph
L - belt length, m
Horsepower to Lift Materials

Hp3 = (L/ 0.3048) (1.015) (C / 1000)

where:
Hp3 - horsepower to lift materials
L - lift, m
C - capacity, tph
Constants for Determining Horsepower
of Belt Conveyors

Conveyor Belt Constants Additional Hp

Width (cm) A B for Tripper

36 0.20 0.00140 0.70

41 0.25 0.00140 0.85
46 0.30 0.00162 1.00
50 0.30 0.00187 1.40
60 0.36 0.00224 1.70
76 0.48 0.00298 2.50
Determine the power required of a 10m long belt conveyor
required to deliver shelled corn to a feeder of a storage bin
which is 1m high from the main floor. The pulley diameter and
width of the conveyor are 60 cm and 50 cm, running at a speed
of 40 rpm. The cross sectional area of the conveyor is
0.031m2. Assume a density for shelled corn of 700 kg/m3.

Given: Belt length - 10 m

Lift -1m
Pulley diameter - 60 cm
Belt width - 50 cm
Pulley speed - 40 rpm
Belt x-area - 0.031 m2
Product - shelled corn
Density - 700 kg/m3

Required: Horsepower required to drive the belt conveyor

Solution:
V = 3.14 D x N
= 3.14 x 0.6 m x 40 rpm
= 75.4 m/min
C = V x A x 60
= 75.4 m/min x 0.031 m2 x 60
= 140.24 m3/hr x 700 kg/m3 x ton/1000 kg
= 98.17 ton/hr

(a) Hpe= [(S/0.3048) (A + B (3.28 L))] / 1000

= [[(75.4 m3/min)/0.3048] [0.3+0.00187(3.281x10 m)]]/100
= 0.89 hp

(b) Hpv = C (0.48 + 0.01 L) / 100

= 98.17 (0.48 + 0.01 (1m) / 100
= 0.48 hp
( c ) Hph= (L/0.3048) (1.015) (C/1000)
= (1/0.3048) (1.015) (98.17 ton/hr)
= 0.32 hp

Total Hp = Hpe + Hpv + Hph

= 0.89 hp + 0.48 hp + 0.32 hp
= 1.69 hp
use 2 hp
Screw Conveyors
n Screw conveyors are used to handle finely divided
powders, damp, sticky, heavy viscous materials, hot
substances that may be chemically active, and granular
materials of all types.
n The typical screw conveyor consists of a conveyor screw
in a trough supported by end hanger bearings.
n The screw rotation pushes the material it conveys along the
trough. The standard pitch screw has a pitch approximately
equal to the diameter. It is used on most horizontal installations
and on inclines up to 20 deg. Half standard pitch screw may be
used for includes greater than 20 deg double and triple flight,
variable-pitch, and steeped-diameter screws are available for
moving difficult materials and controlling feed rate. Ribbon
screws are used for mixing, both singly and in connection with
conveying.
Determine the recommended speed of the following screw
conveyors:
a) 4 inches at 30% loading @ 50 ft3 per hour
b) 6 inches at 45% loading @ 100 ft3 per hour
c) 10 inches at 30% loading@ 200 ft3 per hour

Given: Screw diameter - 4, 6, and 10 inches

Loading - 30 & 45 % loading
Capacity - 50, 100, 200 ft3 per hour

Required: Recommended speed of the screws

n Horizontal screw conveyors are usually operated in U-shaped
trough with or without cover, depending upon the type of service
and the characteristics of the material being moved. They may
be designed either clockwise or counterclockwise rotation
without change in the capacity. The screw is also supported by
brackets at various standard spacing. For elevating at a steep
incline, a cylindrical housing is used. The tube is operated full,
and no brackets are used between the end since they would
interfere with the movement of the material. The material
supports and guides the flight so that satisfactory operation
results if the conveyor is kept full.
n Screw conveyors are well suited as feeders or metering
devices under bins or hoppers. The portion of the screw under
the bin or hopper is usually designed with half or third pitch, the
balance of the screw full pitch. Thus, the main portion of the
screw operates half or third full; whereas, the metering portion
of the screw operates full.
Capacity of Screw Conveyor

n The capacity of full screw conveyor as used for feeding and

elevating can be estimated using the rational equation;

Ct = [(D2 – d2) / 36.6 ] x (P x N)

where: Ct - theoretical capacity, ft3/hr

D - screw diameter, in.
d - shaft diameter, in.
P - screw pitch, in. (normally equal to D)
N - shaft speed, rpm
n The actual capacity is much lesser than the theoretical
capacity because of screw-housing clearance, fluid
characteristics of material, screw length, head of material, and
elevation or lift.
Compute the theoretical capacity of an 8in.-diameter screw
conveyor loaded at 45% of the full load. The screw shaft
diameter is 2 inches with a screw pitch of 4 inches. The speed
of the conveyor is 80 rpm.

Given: Screw diameter - 8 in.

Shaft diameter - 2 in.
Screw pitch - 4 in.
Screw speed - 80 rpm
Loading - 45%

Required: Theoretical capacity of the conveyor

Solution:
Ct = [(D2 – d2)/36.6][P x N]
= [(8 in.)2 – (2 in.)2 /36.6] [4 in. x 80 rpm]
= 524.59 ft3/hr

@ 45% loading
= 524.59 ft3/hr x 0.45
= 236.07 ft3/hr
Power Requirement of Screw
Conveyor

n The power requirement of a screw conveyor is a function of its

length, elevation, type of hanger brackets, type of flights,
viscosity or internal resistance of the material, coefficient of
friction of the material on the flights and housing, and weight of
the material. extra power required to start a full screw and to
free a jammed screw must be given consideration together with
the power required if the material has a tendency to stick to the
trough sides or to ball.
n The formula to compute for the power requirement of screw conveyor
for normal horizontal operation can be computed as,

Hp = L (DS + QK) / 1,000,000

where: Hp - theoretical horsepower

L - overall length, ft
D - factor depending on type of bearing
S - speed, rpm
Q - quantity of material, lbs/hr
K - material factor
“D” Factors in Computing Horsepower
for Screw Conveyors
Conveyor Ball or Wood, Babbit Self- White Iron or
Diameter Roller Bronze or Lubricating Manganese
(cm) Molded Fabric Bronze Steel
7.5 10 15 24 35
10 12 21 33 50
15 18 33 54 80
23 32 54 96 130
25 38 66 114 160
30 55 96 171 250
35 78 135 255 350
40 106 186 336 480
Material Classifications and Indices for
Screw Conveyors
Material Bulk Material Type of Hp Material
Weight Number Conveyor Factor
(lb/ft3)
Barley 38 A LB 0.4
Beans 48 A LB 0.4
Beans, 36 B LB 0.5
castor
Beans, soy 45-50 C LB 0.5
Bran 16 B LB 0.4
Clover seed 48 A 0.4
Material Bulk Weight Material Type of Hp Material
(lb/ft3) Number Conveyor Factor
Corn, shelled 45 A MB 0.4
Corn meal 40 B MB 0.4
Cotton seed, dry 25 B LB 0.9
Cotton seed, hulls 12 B LB 0.9
Lime, ground 60 C HI 0.6
Milk, dried 36 B LW 1.0
Oats 26 A LB 0.4
Peanuts, 15 – 20 B 0.7
unshelled
Rice, rough 36 B LB 0.4
Rye 44 A LB 0.4
Timothy seed 36 B 0.7
Wheat 48 A LB 0.4
n To estimate the motor horsepower, the formula is,

MHp = (Hp x P) / 0.85

where:
P - 2.00 when Hp is less than 1
- 1.50 when Hp is between 1 and 2
Calculate the theoretical power required to drive 10meter-long
screw conveyor having a diameter of 6 inches. The conveyor
shaft is supported by a roller-type bearing and is used to convey
ground lime at a rate of 10 tons per hour. The conveyor speed is
40 rpm. Also compute the power required for the motor.

Given: Screw length - 10 meters

Screw diameter - 6 inches
Type of bearing - roller
Product - ground lime
Capacity - 10 tons per hour
Screw speed - 40 rpm

Required: Theoretical Power and Motor Power

Solution:
HP = L (DS + Q k) / 1,000,000
= 10 m x 3.28 ft/m ( 18 x 40 rpm + 10,000 kg/hr
x 2.2 lb/kg x 0.6) / 1,000,000
= 32.8 ft/min (720 rpm + 1320 lb/hr) / 1,000,000
= 0.456 hp

MHP = H x P / 0.85
= 0.456 x 2 / 0.85
= 1.074 hp
Capacity Constants for Inclined
Conveyor

Angle (deg) Constant

0 1.0
20 0.8
40 0.6
60 0.5
80 0.4
n The additional power requirement for 15 deg inclined conveyor
is roughly 25% and 25 deg is roughly 50% from the rated
horizontal power requirement. The formula to calculate power
in lifting, which is to be added to the power requirement on
horizontal, is

Hpinc = Hphor x Sin a

where:
Hpinc - horsepower requirement at inclined
position, hp
Hphor - horsepower requirement at horizontal

position, hp
a - inclination of screw, deg
Screw Conveyor Characteristics

Materials Capacity Hp Cost Advantages Disadvantages

Ground, Medium Low to Medium - can be used as -size of material
granular or medium mixer for flow limited
chopped feeder -simple sections
- good for limited in length
unloading -medium to heavy
wear factor
Bucket Elevator

n A bucket elevator consists of buckets attached to a chain or belt

that revolves around a bottom pulley and top pulley where the
bucket discharges a typical bucket elevator.
n Inclined conveyors or elevators are less efficient mechanically and
volumetrically than horizontal screws. However, they are
frequently used in agriculture because they are convenient
(portable) and, most importantly, because cost is minimal.
n The capacity of inclined conveyors decreases rapidly as the angle
of inclination increases. A standard conveyor inclined at 15 deg
can carry approx. 75% of its rated horizontal capacity. At an
inclination of 25 deg, it can carry 50% of the rated horizontal
capacity.
n Bucket elevators are available in several designs to handle
many products. They are classified according to type as
follows:
• Centrifugal
• Positive (gravity)
• Continuous (direct gravity)

n The centrifugal-discharge type is most commonly used with

grains. It is designed and engineered to conform with
general practice in handling grains. Heat and boot shafts
are provided with roller bearings. Take-ups are generally
screw-type except on tall, high-capacity units where gravity-
type take-ups are more common.
Good Design Features of a Bucket
Elevator

n Clean out provision for boot

n Belt tension take up
n Replaceable liners at points of wear
n Provisions to remove large foreign materials, such as metals
and stones (magnets and screens combination is usually
installed)
n Buckets are made of different materials and come in different
shapes and sizes, depending on requirements. For
centrifugal bucket elevators, the typical buckets are uniform,
smooth, and proportioned for fast filling and quick, clean
discharge. Because of the difficulty of loading all buckets to
100% of rated capacity and the desirability of having a small
reserve capacity of elevators, designers calculate carrying
capacity on the basis of bucket filled to 85 to 90% of rated
capacity.
Bucket Speed and Capacity

n The capacity of the bucket elevator depends on (a) bucket

size, (b) spacing, and (c) belt speed. Speed is the first critical
factor to consider. The speed of the belt (meter per minute)
depends on the head pulley speed. The recommended head
pulley speed depends on the pulley diameter. A properly
designed bucket elevator driven at the correct speed will make
a clean discharge directly into the throat of the head liner
ensuring only slight damage and little or no back legging or
down legging.
n For optimum centrifugal discharge, the speed of the head
pulley can be calculated by the formula:

N = 54.19 / R0.5

where:
N - bucket speed, rpm
R - radius of the wheel plus one-half the projection of
the buckets, ft

For paddy and lightweight grains, the satisfactory operational

speed is 80 to 85% of the theoretical speed.
Recommended Elevator Speeds for
Different Sizes of Head Pulley

Pulley Pulley Ave. Head Pulley (rpm) Recommen

Diameter Circumfere Bucket ded Belt
(cm) nce (cm) Projection Speed*
Calculated Recommen
(cm) (m/min)
ded
30 94 10 66 56 53
41 129 10 60 51 65
51 160 10 54 46 73
61 192 13 49 42 80
76 239 15 44 37 89
91 286 18 40 34 98
122 383 20 36 31 119

*Belt speed (m/min) = (3.1416) x pulley diameter, m) x (recommended rpm)

n The elevator capacity can be calculated from the bucket
capacity, recommended spacing, and belt speed. The
formula to calculate the elevator capacity is,

Qe = 60 x Qb x nb x Nb

where:
Qe - elevator capacity, m3/hr
Qb - bucket capacity, m3/1,000,000
nb - number of buckets per meter of belt
Nb - Belt speed, m/min
Dimensions and Capacities of Elevator
Buckets
Bucket Size (mm) Capacity Normal Spacing on
Length Projection Depth (cm3) Belt (mm)

76 64 64 142 102
102 70 76 283 108
127 89 96 566 127
152 102 114 850 152
178 114 127 1426 165
203 127 140 1982 178
229 152 159 3398 203
254 152 159 3681 203
279 152 159 3969 203
305 152 159 3969 203
305 178 184 5380 229
Elevator Head, Boot and Legs

n Elevator heads should be of proper shape and size with smooth

contours. The discharge side of the head should be shaped in
such a way that the material thrown from the buckets will not be
deflected into the downleg. The throat should be considerable
below the head shaft to catch the materials that are slow leaving
the buckets.

n Most bucket elevators provide in the boot section a belt take-up

device to tighten the belt required and to train it so that it runs
through and does not rub on either side of the boot. A manual
screw-type take-up boot pulley is used. This provides the correct
belt tension at all times. Cleanouts should always be included on
both sides of the boot to permit fast, easy cleaning.
n Elevator legs are constructed either all welded, bolted, or riveted
units. There are several designs of cross-sections for the leg.
They are manufactured in standard lengths of 2.4 m but could be
manufactured in any length desired.
Bucket Conveyor Characteristics

Materials Capacity Hp Cost Advantages Disadvantages

Ground, Medium to Low High -efficiency -limited speed
granular or high -minimum range
lumpy -difficult to erect
-high capacity
for vertical lift -expensive
Bucket Elevator Belts

n There are four types of belts used for bucket elevators.

These are (a) duck, (b) balata, (c) stitched canvas, and
(d) solid woven cotton. Any of these belts maybe treated
with special preparations or covered with natural or
synthetic rubber.
n Most conveyor and elevator belts are of folded-ply
construction. Some belts are made by building up layers of
plies that are cut or woven to the width desired and are called
”plied” construction belts. Due to the digging action and the
load, the leverage on the bucket heads increases with greater
bucket projections so that more plies are required to keep the
bolts from pulling through the belt.

n Belt selection also depends on pulley diameter. As the pulley

head diameter increases, the number of plies required for the
belt also increases.
Power Requirements

n The theoretical power requirements for bucket elevator can

be calculated from the formula,

Hp = QHF / 4562

where:
Q - capacity, kg/min
H - Lift, m
F - 1.5 for elevators loaded in the down side of
the boot and 1.2 for elevators loaded on
the up side of the boot
n The actual horsepower requirements are 10 to 15% higher
than the theoretical horsepower value due to friction, power
transmission, and drive losses.
What is the theoretical rpm of a bucket elevator whose head pulley
diameter is 0.2m. and the bucket projection is 0.1m.?

Given: Pulley Diameter - 0.2 m

Bucket projection - 0.1 m

Required: Theoretical rpm

Solution:
Radius = 0.1 m + 0.05 m
= 0.15 m
Ntheo = 54.19 / (R) ½
= 54.19 / ( 0.15 m x 3.28 ft/m) ½
= 54.19 / 0.701
= 77.3 rpm
If the operational efficiency of the bucket elevator above is 85% of the
theoretical speed, what is the operating speed of the elevator?

Given: Ntheo - 77.3 rpm

ξ - 0.85

Required: N operational

Solution:
N operational = ξ x N theor
= 0.85 (77.3 rpm)
= 65.7 rpm
What is the theoretical horsepower requirement of a bucket elevator
whose capacity is 545kg./min. and lift of 10.7m. The elevator is loaded
down side.

Given: Capacity - 545 kg/min

Lift - 10.7 m
Loading - downside
Required: Theoretical HP

Solution:
HP = Q H F / 4562
= [545 kg/min (10.7 m) (1.5)] 4562
= 1.9 hp
What is the theoretical rpm of a bucket elevator whose head pulley
diameter is 0.4 m and the bucket projection is 0.1 m.

Given: Pulley diameter - 0.4 m

Bucket projection - 0.1 m
Required: Theoretical rpm
Solution:
Nt = 54.19 [(0.2 + 0.05)(3.28 ft/m)]0.5
= 54.19 / (0.812) 0.5
= 59.84 rpm
If the operational speed of the bucket elevator in item above is 85%
of the theoretical speed, what is the operational speed of the
elevator?

Given: Efficiency - 0.80

Theoretical speed - 66.7 rpm

Required: Operational speed

Solution:

Noperational = 0.80 Nt
= 0.80 (66.7 rpm)
= 53.4 rpm
A bucket elevator has a head pulley diameter of 14 inches. There are
260 buckets having a size of 4in. wide and 6in. long attached to its belt
at 1ft spacing. What will be its recommended rpm and speed in
number of buckets per minute?

Given: Head pulley diameter - 14 in.

No. of bucket - 260
Width - 4 in.
Length - 6 in.

Required: Recommended rpm and speed in number of buckets

per minute
Solution:
N = 54.19 / (9 in. /12) ½
= 62.57 rpm
V = 3.14 (14 in. /12 ) x 62.57 rpm
= 229.33 ft per min

Length = 260 buckets x 1 ft/bucket

= 260 ft

No. Buckets/min = 229.33 ft /min / 1 ft/bucket

= 229 buckets/min
Pneumatic Conveyor

n The pneumatic conveyor moves granular materials, such as

grains, in a closed duct by a high-velocity stream of air beyond
the terminal velocity of materials.

n The pneumatic conveyor is most useful in handling less dense

materials. For paddy, this system is seldom used because of
the abrasive characteristics of paddy.
Pneumatic Conveyor Characteristics

Material Capacity Hp Cost Advantages Disadvantages

Grain, Variable High Low to -low first cost -high power
ground medium -low requirement
feed, maintenance -creates dust,
chopped usually requires
-flexibility of
forage installation separation
-easily cleaned equipment
-condition of
operation vary
with type of
material
n Advantages of Pneumatic Conveyor
• Relatively low initial cost
• Simple in construction
• Conveying path can be made random and may branch up
• Conveying path can be changed easily
• Wide variety of material can be conveyed
• Self-cleaning

n Disadvantages
• High power requirement
• Causes damage to the material
Different Pneumatic Conveyor
Systems

n Suction System – usually operates below atmospheric

pressure.
n Low-Pressure System – uses high-velocity, low-density air. It
is usually powered by a centrifugal fan since the operating
pressure is low to moderate, up to approximately 14 in. water.
n High-Pressure System – uses low-velocity, high-density air.
Positive displacement blowers are usually used in this system.
n Fluidized System – employs high-pressure air and high-
density granular materials per pound of air so that the
materials move as air material “slurry”. The conveying
velocities are low.
Recommended Conveying Velocities
of Various Agricultural Materials
Material Conveying Velocities
(ft/min)
Barley 5000 – 6500
Beans 6000
Coffee beans 3000 – 3500
Corn, shelled 5000 – 7000
Cotton 4000 – 6000
Cotton seed 4000 – 6000
Chopped hay 4000
Ensilage 6000
Oats 4500 – 6000
Recommended Conveying Velocities of Various
Agricultural Materials

Material Conveying Velocities

(ft/min)
Rags 4500 – 6000
Salt 5500 – 7500
Sand 6000 – 9000
Sawdust 4000 – 6000
Wheat 5000 - 7000
Wool 4500 - 6000
n The optimum granular lift rate is 50ft/sec. The air rate required
is equal to the granular lift rate of the material plus 50ft/sec. For
usual system, air quantifies of 15 to 50 ft3/lb of the material is
necessary.

n The static pressure for fan designed for grains is usually 1.2 to
1.3 times of the air pressure requirement.
n For grains, velocities ranging from 1500 to 1800 m/min is
used. Grain-to-air-weight ratios vary widely from 1:1.2 to 1:3.7.
The lower ratios are usually used with the lower velocity of air.
Pressure requirement can be estimated using the formula,

P = P air (1 + 0.32 R)

where:
P - pressure drop for mixture of air and material, in.
water
Pair - pressure drop of air only, in. water
R - ratio of weight of grain and air
n The horsepower requirement is 2 to 3 times the theoretical
power obtained by using 1.25 times the calculated pressure drop
for air and combined weights of air and grains.

Hp = 0.00147 W Pa + 0.00016 W H

where:
Hp - power requirement, kW
W - combined weights of air and grains per second, kg
Pa - pressure drop of air, Pascal
H - vertical lift, m
Chain Conveyors

n Chain conveyors are many types which are so-called drag

conveyors, flight, or scrapers. They are competitive with
augers in terms of cost and operation. As compared with
bucket elevators, these conveyors are not so expensive and
do not require special skill in the design.

n Some of its disadvantages are:

• Slow
• Noisy
• Inefficient to operate
n Chain conveyors use a special chain which is made to attach
flights. They are available in malleable steel, steel, roller, and
combinations. Light intermittent conveyors use the cheaper
malleable detachable or steel detachable chain. Heavy-duty
conveyors use a roller chain with rolling bearings for the chain.

n Conveying may be at the top or at the bottom. Bottom

conveying is popular for underfloor drags, or U-shaped flights in a
tube or trough.

n For cereal grains, the flight height is commonly 0.4 of the length
and is spaced at the length. Speed ranges from 25 to 40 m/min,
the higher end of the range being used for small grains.
Chain Conveyor Characteristics
Materials Capacity Hp Cost Advantages Disadvantages

Most feeds Medium Medium Low to -inexpensive -noisy

grains & medium -multiple use -heavy wear factor
farm -wide range
products
available
Classifications of Chain Conveyors

n Trolley – consists of an overhead I-beam tract with trolleys that

are fastened together by chain. They are used for products of
large unit size or for those handles in boxes or baskets at some
time during processing.

n Scraper – is used for granular, nonabrasive material. It is

simple, cheap, easy to construct, and may operate even at steep
inclines.

n Apron – is similar to scraper conveyor except that the flights are

replaced with slats, steel plates, or boards. It is used for
conveying sacked materials, and materials of large unit size.
n The capacity of the chain conveyor operating on a level can be
assumed as 115% of the rectangular space between two flights.
The capacity of the conveyor when operated at inclined
decreases as follows:

Inclination Factor

20 0.77

30 0.55

40 0.33
Power Requirement of Chain Conveyor

n The theoretical power required for flight conveyors can be

determined from the following rational equation,

Hp = 2v Lc Wc Fc + Q (L Fm + H) / 33,000

where:
v - speed of conveyor, ft/min
Lc - horizontal projected length of conveyor, ft
Wc - weight of flights and chain, lb/ft
Fc - coefficient of friction from chain and flight
Q - Capacity of the conveyor, lb/min
L - horizontal projected length of loaded conveyor, ft
Fm - coefficient of friction for material
H - height of lift, ft
n The calculated horsepower must be adjusted to compensate for
expected maximum load conditions, starting friction, loss in the
driving mechanization, variation in friction coefficients, type of
power unit, etc.

n The tension can be computed using the formula,

Tension = [W Fc + C Fm / V A] L + H

where:
W - chain weight, lb/ft
Fc - friction of conveyor, 0.57
C - capacity of the conveyor, lb/min
Fm - friction of material
V - chain velocity, ft/min
A - average relative velocity
L - length of conveyor, ft
H - height of conveyor, ft
Gravity Conveyor

n Gravity conveyor consists of a series of rollers or wheels set

level or at a slight incline to handle boxed materials in particular.
The material moves either by gravity or by hand if the conveyor
is leveled. It is especially adopted for intermittent service.
n Kinds of Gravity Conveyor:
1. Chutes – simple but dependent on the material and angle
of friction of the product to be conveyed.
2. Vibratory – operates below the angle of friction of the
material. Vibration of the conveyor causes the product to
move as long as it is slightly inclined. Only applicable for
short-distance conveying, like feeder or discharger.
3. Oscillating – capable of conveying longer distance as
compared with vibratory conveyor. Stroke length is much
longer with this kind of conveyor.
Vibrator Conveyor Characteristics
Materials Capacity Hp Cost Advantages Disadvan
tages
Grain Low Low High -can be used -limited
ground feed as meter capacity
-reliable -cost
-easy control
Oscillator Conveyor Characteristics

Materials Capacity Hp Cost Advan- Disadvan-

tages tages
Grain feed High Low Medium -efficient -costly
roughage to high -can handle -must be
large volume solidly
-can handle mounted
several -limited to
materials length of
about 100 ft
QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS
1. Movement of material in a 4. Which of the following is a
processing plant in any direction good design feature for bucket
may it be horizontal, vertical or elevators.
any combination. a. Clean out provision for booth.
a. Transporting b. Belt tension take up.
b. Shipping c. Replaceable liners at point of
c. Material handling wear.
d. All of the above d. Provision to remove large
foreign materials such as metals
2. Commonly used material- and stones.
handling equipment. e. All of the above
a. Bucket elevator f. None of the above
b. Screw conveyor
c. Belt conveyor 5. What is the theoretical
d. All of the above horsepower requirement of a
bucket elevator with 545kg/min
3. Type of bucket elevator capacity and has 10.7m lift. The
designed to handle grains. elevator is loaded down side.
a. Centrifugal a. 2.19 hp
b. Positive (gravity) b. 1.92 hp
c. Continuous (direct gravity) c. 2.91 hp
d. None of the above d. None of the above
6. When a bucket elevator is to be a. 65 rpm
fed at the downside section, instead b. 102 rpm
of the upside section of the elevator c. 136 rpm
booth, its power requirement will d. None of the above
____.
a. decrease 9. What is the theoretical horsepower
b. increase requirement of a bucket elevator with
c. be the same 740kg/min capacity and 12m lift and
d. None of the above is loaded up side?
a. 2.3 hp
7. What is the theoretical rpm of a b. 3.5 hp
bucket elevator with 0.2m-diameter c. 4.1 hp
head pulley and a 0.1m bucket d. None of the above
projection?
a. 77 rpm 10. A drag, flight or scraper conveyor.
b. 120 rpm a. Screw conveyor
c. 160 rpm b. Chain conveyor
d. None of the above c. Belt conveyor
d. None of the above
8. If the operational efficiency of the
bucket elevator in Item 7 is 85% of
the theoretical speed, what is the
operation speed of the elevator?
11. What is the theoretical rpm Loading is on the downside of the
of a bucket elevator with 0.4m- elevator booth.
diameter head pulley and 0.1m a. 3.35 hp
bucket projection? b. 4.12 hp
a. 45.3 rpm c. 5.7 hp
b. 55.4 rpm d. None of the above
c. 66.7 rpm
d. None of the above 14. Speed range of the head pulley
of a bucket elevator in a feed milling
12. If the operational speed of plant.
the bucket elevator in Item 11 is a. 40 to 70 rpm
85% of the theoretical speed, b. 70 to 100 rpm
what is its operational speed? c. 100 to 250 rpm
a. 53.4 rpm d. None of the above
b. 62.1 rpm
c. 69.3 rpm 15. Carrying capacity of a single
d. None of the above bucket in a bucket elevator is usually
calculated by design engineers
13. If 850 kg of paddy is to be considering a ____ of the rated
lifted per minute to a 12m capacity.
height, what is the horsepower a. 60 to 75%
requirement of the elevator? b. 85 to 90%
c. 95 to 100%
d. None of the above
16. Capacity of a bucket elevator a. As the diameter of the pulley
is a function of ____. increases, the number of plies required
a. bucket size for the belt increases.
b. bucket spacing b. As the diameter of the pulley
c. belt speed increases, the number of plies required
d. All of the above for the belt decreases.
e. None of the above c. As the diameter of the pulley
increases, the number of plies required
17. Actual horsepower for the belt remains the same.
requirement of bucket elevators is d. None of the above
____ higher than the theoretical
value due to friction, power 19. A bucket elevator with 4in. cup
transmission and drive losses. spaced at 6in. apart has a throughput
a. 5 to 10% capacity of 1000 kg of rice per hour.
b. 10 to 15% The head pulley is rotating at a speed
c. 15 to 20% of 100 rpm. If the throughput capacity
d. None of the above of the elevator needs to be doubled,
what would you recommend?
18. Which of the following a. Increase the rpm of the pulley.
statements is true in selecting b. Double the size of the buckets.
belts for bucket elevators. c. Install another bucket in between
the buckets.
d. None of the above