Due to the ever-changing dynamics of global demand, cement producers must constantly adjust output while maintaining acceptable profit margins.
At CDM, we understand your need to effectively move bulk materials throughout your facility. You need to deliver product from off-load through clinker production, to packaging and shipping, in a safe, reliable manner. Our experience with bulk material handling in high-temperature, 24/7 operating environments, combined with an understanding of your specific operation, is how we design and manufacture the most durable, reliable drag chain conveyors in the industry.
Our drag chain conveyors have sealed housings and heavy-duty chain assemblies. We are experienced in handling a wide-range of raw bulk material including limestone, clay, shale, sand, iron ore and ash. Our exclusive chain formula achieves the ideal balance between flexible and rigidity, offering high strength and wear resistance while providing a malleable core that prevents breakage. This chain metallurgy makes our conveyors the most effective way to move harsh, caustic, corrosive and abrasive bulk materials with inlet temperatures up to 1000°F.
Our drag chain conveyors are engineered to handle a variety of raw bulk materials including limestone, sand, clay, and gypsum throughout the cement production process.
Moving minerals prior to primary and secondary crushing requires a conveyor designed to allow proper bulk material flow. Increased chain flight spacing coupled with a large cross-sectional conveying area are important to achieving and maintaining positive flow.
Using limestone as an example, as it goes through the crushing process and is converted into ground raw meal, the material becomes more free flowing. At this stage, the conveyor design requires tight flight spacing to ensure a uniform product bed depth within the conveyor. CDM drag chain conveyors can be sized to handle the additive (iron ore, sand, clay, or ash) so the mixture can move further in the cement production process.
In the calcining process, the kilns can exceed 1000°F (538°C).
The breakdown of the minerals during this process makes the resulting clinker a highly abrasive bulk material. The high heat of the material coming out of the kiln, coupled with the subsequent cooling of the clinker, adds further complexity to the design of the drag chain conveyors at this stage in the cement manufacturing process.
To ensure they are durable enough to handle the heat, abrasion, and thermal expansion, the CDM Drag Chain Conveyors are typically designed with the following features:
- ARS steel plate housing that has greater mass than a standard drag chain conveyor.
- An oversized chain, which is typically required to handle the high heat. The actual size is based on the expected delta of the temperature range from heating to cooling coupled with the application’s chain pull/strength requirements.
- A catenary drive section, which is another common design feature due to high temperature and thermal expansion. Because the housing and chain will not expand at the same rate, the catenary drive will allow the chain to expand and will minimize chain wear and elongation between tension adjustment intervals.
- An annealed chain can also be used if temperatures inside the conveyor are expected to reach 1,000°F (538°C).
Our drag chain conveyors are engineered to properly handle bulk material throughout the entire cement manufacturing process.
- Rail/Truck Receiving – En-Masse Drag Chain Conveyors offer high-volume bulk material movement in a relatively smaller conveyor size. The sealed housing minimizes material loss and improves plant safety.
- Distribution – Drag chain conveyors can move bulk material across long distances. Intermediate discharge locations allow for positive bulk material discharge with virtually no carry-over.
- Bin/Bunker Draw-off – Bulk material can be metered without the need of additional metering devices.
- Clinker Handling – CDM’s expertly engineered conveyors and drag chains provide longevity and reliability even against heat, abrasion, and thermal expansion.
- Load-out – Drag chain conveyors can operate on an incline to easily elevate bulk material to platforms for rail/truck loading.
These are general equipment selection guidelines only. Contact a CDM expert to discuss the best options for your specific application.
Drag Chain Conveyor:
- Distances greater than 25 feet
- Handling highly abrasive, high-temperature material
- Horizontal and steep incline conveying
- High-volume / high-capacity applications
Screw Conveyor:
- Distances less than 25 feet
- Handling less-abrasive, low-temperature material
- Horizontal and shallow incline conveying
Continuous Bucket Elevator:
- Not typically warranted for this industry
Centrifugal Bucket Elevator:
- Handling less-abrasive material such as finished cement
- Vertical and high-lift, high-capacity conveying
