Many different types of Feeders are available for metering the flow of material in a process system. Below are some common types of Feeders and the types of applications in which they are used.
Feeders are used to meter the flow of material to meet the specified flow rate of the crushing system or process system. They play an important role in material handling in many mining, aggregate and other industrial applications.
Qunfeng Metering Bin Feeder
Types of Feeders
There are several different types of feeders, including
Apron Feeders
Apron Feeders are robust feeders used for handling many types of materials, such as aggregates, minerals and recycled materials. Used for both small and large capacities, they can withstand extreme impact loading.
Apron Feeders consist of cast manganese pans bolted to a dozer-style chain that wraps around a head shaft and tail idler. The chain and pan assembly rides on dozer-style carry rollers, and the movement of the flights provides a metered flow of material.
This type of feeder is higher on capital investment but is also high on investment returns. Apron Feeders are a favorite in the mining industry because they can operate 24/7 and go years between maintenance periods.
Apron Feeder Fast Facts
Used for small and large capacities
Can handle extreme impact loading
Provide uniform feed rates
Can be used for many types of materials
Offer long service life with low maintenance
Designed for each application and installation
Accept very hard, abrasive, and tough materials, as well as lumps of larger dimensions and those which are beyond the scope of other feeders
>> Shop for Qunfeng feeders here
Belt Feeders
Belt Feeders are generally used for fine material applications, typically for handling material 6” or less. They feature a flat belt that is supported by closely spaced idlers and driven at the head pulley.
Belt Feeder Fast Facts
Accept smaller sized material
Used with smaller hoppers
Commonly used in secondary or tertiary applications
Should not be used for very hard and tough materials or materials with sharp edges
Drag and Reclaim Feeders
Both Drag Feeders and Reclaim Feeders consist of strands of chain with connecting flight bars designed to pull material. They are typically tied into the operation of a downstream conveyor, so they do not require an operator. Drag Feeders are well suited for moving free-flowing materials, such as coal, lignite, salt, copper and other minerals, while Reclaim Feeders are typically used for moving stockpiled materials.
Drag Feeder Fast Facts
Reclaim Feeder Fast Facts
Ideal for moving stockpiled materials
Does not require an operator
Reclaim Feeder in a coal application.
Reciprocating/Plate Feeders
Reciprocating/Plate Feeders are a reciprocating tray type feeder. Mechanical models feature a crank or eccentric and connecting rod to produce the reciprocating motion needed to move the material toward the discharge end. Hydraulically operated designs use a hydraulic cylinder to produce this motion. The feeder discharges on the backstroke of the plate; no material is discharged in the forward stroke.
Reciprocating/Plate Feeders Fast Facts
Accept small and large capacities
Generally located under a bin
Ideal for cyclic feed rates
Offer long service life with low maintenance Designed for each application or installation
Feeder
Vibrating Grizzly Feeders
Vibrating Grizzly Feeders provide the functions of feeding and scalping. Used in many types of applications to supply a continuous feed rate, Vibrating Grizzly Feeders feature a pan section at the feed end and a grizzly section at the discharge end that allows undersized material to bypass the crusher.
The vibration of the pan and grizzly sections moves the material toward the discharge end, while allowing fines to pass through to the bottom. Pre-sorting the fines before a crusher in this way reduces the required capacity of the crusher as well as wear and tear on the crusher.
Vibrating Grizzly Feeders are lower on capital investment and lower on investment returns.
Vibrating Grizzly Feeder Fast Facts
Used for small and medium capacities
Smaller in size than Apron Feeders
Ideal where pre-sorting is required before a crusher
Offer close to uniform feed rates
Can be used for many types of materials
Designed for each application or installation
Vibrating Pan Feeders
Vibrating Pan Feeders are generally used to feed primary crushers in aggregate, mining and recycling applications, but they can also be used to feed grizzly feeders for removing material ahead of a crusher. These types of feeders feature pan sections along the deck of the feeder. As the feeder vibrates, the material moves forward along the pan sections toward the discharge end.
Vibrating Pan Feeder Fast Facts
Ideal for feeding primary crushers and grizzly feeders
Accepts a variety of aggregate, mining and recycle material
Wobbler Feeders
Wobbler Feeders offer the dual benefits of feeding material at a controlled rate and scalping fines from the feed. Rotating elliptical bars on the deck of the feeder cause the lumps of material to move up and down, scrubbing against each other as they advance toward the discharge end. This removes sticky material, such as clay, from the lumps and allows it to pass through the openings between the bars.
Though high in capital cost, Wobbler Feeders may be necessary for scrubbing fines from sticky types of material, saving wear and tear on downstream equipment.
Wobbler Feeders Fast Facts
Accept small and medium capacities
Ideal where presorting is required before a crusher
Offer uniform feed rates – dependent of homogenous feed gradation
Generally used for sticky types of materials to scrub the fines off
Not used for handling any round or slick material such as gravel and coal
Choosing the Right Feeder Type
The right feeder for an application depends on the characteristics of the material being processed and the required capacity. This includes:
Gradation of the material – consider the largest lump to the smallest particle
Feed rate – the required capacity of the feeder
Lump size – include the largest size lump the feeder will need to process
Type of material and its characteristics – the name of the material, as well as its hardness, density, abrasiveness, shape, moisture content and viscosity
Temperature – consider the temperature of the material, as well as the ambient temperature of the site
Is scalping required? – nclude the desired size and percent to pass the opening
Type of operating duty – consider how many hours a day and how many days a year the feeder will operate
Portable or stationary – consider if size and weight are a factor
Space available – consider any height or size limitations
Type of loading – consider how the feeder is being loaded and with what type of equipment
Equipment feeder discharges to – include the type of equipment the feeder will discharge to
Site amenities – consider the power requirements and desired drive type as well as the elevation and climate
Selecting the right feeder is not always simple. Often, more than one solution may appear possible. Discussing your material characteristics, application requirements and production goals with a knowledgeable feeder manufacturer Qunfeng will ensure you get the right solution for your site.
