1. Introduction to U-Type Screw Conveyors
The U-type screw conveyor (also called trough screw conveyor) is constructed with high-quality carbon steel or stainless steel, widely used in powder and granular material handling across industries:
✔ Chemical industry: Transporting plastic pellets, fertilizers
✔ Food processing: Conveying flour, sugar, grains
✔ Construction materials: Cement, fly ash handling
Key advantages over standard screw conveyors:
✓ Better sealing (reduced dust leakage)
✓ Higher rigidity with U-shaped trough design
✓ Easier maintenance with open-top access
2. Comparison: U-Type vs. Standard Screw Conveyors
Feature | U-Type Screw Conveyor | Standard Screw Conveyor |
---|---|---|
Structure | U-shaped trough | Tubular or enclosed pipe |
Sealing | Excellent (dust-proof) | Moderate (varies by design) |
Capacity | 10-100 m³/h | 5-500 m³/h |
Installation | Horizontal/inclined (<20°) | Horizontal/vertical/inclined |
Cost | Lower (standardized design) | Higher (customizable options) |
When to choose U-type?
For powdery materials requiring dust control
When space is limited (compact footprint)
For cost-sensitive projects
When to choose standard types?
For vertical conveying (e.g., bucket elevators)
Handling sticky or fibrous materials
Need fully enclosed design (toxic materials)
3. Technical Specifications
Diameter: 200-500 mm (8″-20″)
Length: 4-70 meters (custom increments of 0.5m)
Speed: 30-120 RPM (adjustable for material flow)
Power: 0.55-22 kW (based on capacity)
Unique features:
Floating shaft connection (prevents jamming)
Universal joint bearings (allow minor misalignment)
Modular design (easy length adjustment)
4. Added Content: Standard Screw Conveyor Basics
To broaden search visibility, here’s how standard screw conveyors complement U-types:
Types of Screw Conveyors
Tubular Screw Conveyors
Fully enclosed for dusty/hazardous materials
Used in cement plants and chemical processing
Shaftless Screw Conveyors
No central shaft, ideal for sticky sludge (wastewater treatment)
Flexible Screw Conveyors
Portable design for batch processing (food/pharma)
Shared Components
Both U-type and standard conveyors use:
Helical flights (pitch customized for material)
Drive units (gearbox + motor)
Inlet/outlet options (flanged, rotary valves)

Application and Limitations
The U-type screw conveyor is powerful, but it is not suitable for transporting materials that easily spoil, are highly viscous, or tend to clump. Such materials may stick to the screw during transport, preventing forward movement and causing blockages at the bearing. Therefore, users should consider material characteristics and working environments when selecting a conveyor.
If you are interested in the U-type screw conveyor or other conveying equipment, Darko specializes in high-quality conveying solutions to meet your needs. Please feel free to contact us. As a professional screw conveyor manufacturer, we will do our best to find the best conveying solution for you.