Causes and Solutions for Blockage in Screw Feeders

Screw feeders are devices designed for continuous weighing and feeding of granular, powdered, and small block materials. They can convey various materials such as grain, limestone, cement, pulverized coal, cereals, coal blocks, and stones. Screw feeders are characterized by simple structure, easy maintenance, good sealing, safe and convenient operation, and high efficiency. Due to their importance in production, they are widely used in food, grain, chemical, cement, environmental protection, and many other industries. However, screw feeders are not without issues, and the most common problem is blockage. Although blockage may seem minor, improper handling can affect production. Repeated blockages can even cause damage to machinery and equipment. Therefore, it is crucial to correctly understand the causes of screw feeder blockage and resolve them promptly.

1. Blockage Caused by Improper Human Operation

l Improper human operation is almost the most common cause of screw feeder blockage. Operators not following operational procedures, such as starting under load, failing to stop the machine during no-load operation, or adding material too quickly during feeding, can all lead to blockage and increase wear on the screw feeder.

l Correct Operation: Operators should start the machine without load, ensure uniform feeding, stop the machine during no-load operation, and gradually increase the feeding rate to reach the rated conveying capacity.

2. Blockage Caused by Uneven Feeding

lUneven feeding can easily cause material accumulation, leading to blockage and overloading the drive device, which may damage the entire equipment.

lCorrect Operation: The screw feeder should be started under load, and material should be added to the screw feeder only after confirming there is no material in the casing. During initial feeding, the feeding speed should be gradually increased to reach the rated conveying capacity, and feeding should be uniform.

3. Blockage Caused by Impurities in the Machine

lAfter continuously conveying and measuring materials, it is difficult to ensure that there are no impurities left in the screw feeder. If these impurities are not cleaned up promptly, they can cause blockage along with fibers.

lCorrect Operation: Before the material enters the screw feeder, it should be cleaned to remove any obvious useless impurities. Additionally, after conveying and measuring, the screw feeder should be cleaned promptly after stopping to reduce the occurrence of blockage and improve measurement accuracy.

4. Blockage Caused by Material Characteristics

lThe characteristics of the material being conveyed and measured are also important factors causing screw feeder blockage. For example, materials with certain moisture content, sticky materials, or large block materials can easily cause blockage.

lCorrect Operation: The horizontal size of the intermediate suspension bearing of the screw feeder should be selected based on the specific characteristics of the material.

In addition, to reduce or avoid blockage, a silo level indicator and a blockage sensor can be installed for automatic control and alarm, allowing operators to detect blockage issues promptly. Increasing the discharge outlet or extending the end of the chute can effectively solve blockage caused by poor discharge. These measures can effectively prevent blockage in screw feeders.

Blockage in screw feeders has been a long-standing issue for many customers. However, with correct and standardized operation and certain measures, blockage can be avoided. The above are the causes of blockage and solutions. It is believed that through these measures, blockage issues can be largely prevented.