Which Vityaz elevator to choose for a seed plant
For more than 10 years,Kharkiv-based Vityaz has been specializing in the design, manufacture and installation of elevator equipment, including various types of elevators. Contact our specialists and let our managers select a model that meets your individual criteria. Buying a grain elevator from Vityaz is a good investment of your money. The minimum capacity of grain elevators is 5 tons per hour, and the maximum capacity is 1200 tons per hour. Let’s take a look at the example of which elevator to choose.
What is a grain elevator?
A grain elevator is a mechanism designed to move grain crops in a vertical direction. It is mainly used in grain storage and processing complexes, the chemical industry, and feed mills.
The principle of operation of a grain elevator. The operation of the elevator is very simple. First, grain is poured into the shoe. Then the buckets lift it to a fixed height. After that, the buckets are turned over.
The grain then falls into the discharge chute. The empty buckets of the elevator return to the bottom and then reload the grain for transportation.
The belt with buckets moves inside the shafts, which are special metal structures that protect the inside of the elevator from adverse environmental influences.
The grain elevator needs regular maintenance. Personnel should monitor the condition of electrical components and mechanical connections.
The main structural elements of the elevator are:
Boot (shoe).
Head.
Loading sock.
Tape with buckets.
An unloading crater.
Standard section.
Inspection section
Mines.
An explosive discharger.
The elevator head is installed on top of the mechanism. It is designed to regulate the direction of grain movement after lifting. It contains the mechanism drive and the drive drum.
There is a shoe at the bottom of the elevator. It is designed to load the mechanism with grain and unload it. This is the base of the elevator, so metal sheets with a thickness of 3 to 5 mm are used to make the shoe. The tension drum is located in the shoe.
The belt is pulled between the drive and tension drums. The belt is made of many layers to provide increased resistance to tearing. Buckets are attached to the belt, from which the grain is lifted.
Bucketscan be made of steel, plastic or polymeric materials. Steel buckets are durable and have a long service life. However, they are much heavier than their polymer counterparts, so more powerful motors have to be installed to lift them.
Nowadays, most elevators are equipped with various sensors that monitor its operation to stop the transportation process in the event of various accidents. The most commonly installed sensors are belt runout sensors, backlash sensors, and speed sensors. Sometimes sensors are installed to measure the temperature of the bearings.
An explosive discharger is necessary to ensure safety. During operation, explosive dust appears inside the elevator. And if a spark occurs, an explosion can occur. The main task of the explosion arrester is to control the explosive pressure. When it increases to a certain limit, the membrane opens and the dust is released outside.
All grain storage and processing complexes are very different from each other. Therefore, elevator manufacturers produce mechanisms with individual design and characteristics, guided by the wishes of the customer.
Types of elevators
1) Structural design:
According to the design, elevators can be chain and belt. A chain structure is considered a more reliable option, but it makes a lot of noise during operation.
In such mechanisms, the drums are replaced by special sprockets, and a chain is used as a transporting element. The belt version is almost silent. The belt consists of rubberized fabric and is reinforced with covers.
The bucket arrangement in the bucket elevators can be spaced or closed. In the first case, the distance between the individual buckets is 200 mm. In the closed arrangement, the buckets are located almost close to each other.
2) Speed of work:
Norias are classified according to their speed: slow-moving ones move at a speed of up to 1 meter per second, and fast-movingones reach speeds of up to 4 meters per second.
What kind of elevator to choose for a seed plant: z– a slow-speed elevator or a conventional slow-speed elevator with smooth spilling.
The choice of elevator for a seed plant is critical, as the main task is to maintain the quality and integrity of the seeds during transportation. Both options – the Z-type elevator and the quiet smooth flow elevator – have their own characteristics. Let’s take a look at their advantages and disadvantages to help future customers of Vityaz make the right choice.
1. Z-type elevator inid of the manufacturer Vityaz
Features:
It is a design where the buckets move in a “Z” shape, allowing the seeds to rise vertically and then smoothly flow at different levels through intermediate loading and unloading sections.
Advantages:
Minimal seed damage: due to the smooth sprinkling and the absence of high speeds, the seeds are almost not damaged.
Flexible configuration.
Z-type conveyors can be configured to transport material to different heights or to different points, which is especially useful for complex production lines.
Delicate handling of seeds: the absence of sharp transitions and minimal influence of gravity make this type of elevator ideal for transporting fragile materials.
Disadvantages:
High cost: Z-type elevators are more expensive than conventional low-speed models due to their more complex design.
Large footprint: can take up more space in a production facility due to their configuration.
Complexity of maintenance: a more complex design requires more care and regular maintenance.
2. Quiet bucket elevator with smooth filling from the manufacturer Vityaz
Features:
This is a classic low-speed (low-speed) elevator with special buckets and discharge devices that ensure smooth, impact-free pouring. In other words, it is a delicate and gentle lifting and transport equipment for continuous vertical transportation of grain material and other small bulk materials into containers or agricultural equipment. The bucket movement speed is just over 0.8 m/sec. This allows you to perform basic tasks with the utmost care.
In addition to seed plants, the low-speed elevator is used by: agricultural enterprises; farms; breeding and seed stations; elevators and grain receiving stations; grain cleaning units ZAV; grain drying complexes KZZ; oil extraction plants; enterprises producing flour, cereals, grain mixtures and mixed fodder.
The design of a low-speed elevator from the Vityaz plant
traction body (rubberized fabric belt with bolted steel buckets);
lower drive section with drum and gear motor;
upper unloading section with a drum and belt tensioning mechanism;
feedstock hopper with a manual gate doser;
structural stability elements and forklift transportation of the elevator;
control panel.
Adjustment methods: the intensity of bucket filling is regulated by a manual hopper gate valve.
Design features of the low-speed elevator
minimal grain damage during transportation;
No welded frame (self-supporting section design);
sheet elements of the sections and buckets are made of 1.2 mm thick cold-rolled steel;
The drum axes of the low-speed elevator are fixed with self-centering roller bearings;
Grain material is loaded either manually from bags or soft big-bag containers, or using belt conveyors;
additional nozzles are provided for unloading grain material with pipes D=110 mm.
The screw mechanism for tensioning the belt has an increased strength class;
The lower drive section of the slow-speed elevator is equipped with windows for visual inspection, cleaning and maintenance of the drive drum;
high level of mechanization of the technological process ensures the involvement of a minimum number of personnel to maintain the elevator;
The elevator design allows for easy integration into technological lines for seed cleaning and processing, operation in hangars and elevators, on covered or open currents;
The low-speed elevator has a dynamic balance and no need for foundation solutions (the elevator is installed on a flat concrete or asphalt floor);
The design ensures quick installation of the elevator without performing complex and costly installation work, does not require excavation and concrete work and installation of additional structures.
It is worth noting the special design of the buckets of the elevator, which involves the reverse side, made in the form of a tray, which allows you to take over the material and direct it directly to the unloading zone. This feature minimizes waking up and injury to the product.
Technical characteristics of the low-speed elevator
Productivity (for wheat with moisture content up to 15%), t/h*-10
Belt speed, m/s – 0.8
Bucket capacity, dm3-0.9
Bucket pitch, mm -160
height, mm on request
width, mm – 760
depth, mm – 1450
Power supply:
voltage, V -380
frequency, Hz -50
installed capacity, kW 1.1
The advantages of quietquiet elevators:
Simple design.
Easier to install, set up and maintain compared to a Z-neck.
Lower costs: The cost of a low-speed elevator is usually lower than a Z-type elevator, especially if no complicated transportation routes are required.
Seed quality preservation: low speed and smooth spreading reduce the risk of seed damage, although slightly less than in Z-type elevators.
Disadvantages low-speed elevator:
Limited configuration: it is not possible to create complex transportation routes, as in Z-echo bucket elevators.
Capacity: A quiet bucket elevator may have a lower capacity than high-speed models, although this is rarely a critical factor for a seed plant.
Higher risk of damage: Despite the smooth spreading, there is still a risk of seed damage, especially at joints and if the speed is not adjusted correctly.
So, what to choose for a seed plant?
A quiet bucket elev ator with smooth filling is suitable if you need flexibility in setting up the conveying route or feeding to different levels.
The production works with valuable seeds (hybrids, elite seeds), where even minimal damage is unacceptable.
The Z-type elevator is recommended if: the seeds are less sensitive to damage (for example, soybeans or corn).
It is important to reduce equipment and maintenance costs.
Transportation takes place along a simple route without the need for complex logistics.
However, if the budget is limited or the working conditions are not so harsh, a quiet bucket elevator with smooth filling can also be an effective solution.
Vityaz offers to buy elevators of various designs at the best price directly from the manufacturer. We provide reliable and efficient solutions for enterprises in various industries, guaranteeing high quality and favorable conditions for our customers.
