This document describes the components, classification, capacity calculation, advantages, and limitations of bucket elevators. Bucket elevators are commonly used to vertically transport bulk materials and consist of a head section, boot section, buckets attached to a belt or chain, and a motor. They are classified based on the type of material handled and discharge method. Formulas are provided to calculate capacity based on bucket size and belt speed. Belt systems have advantages over chain systems like allowing for higher speeds and quieter operation. Limitations include maximum lump sizes and restrictions on sticky or corrosive materials.

1. BUCKET ELEVATOR
Name : SURAJ KUMAR
Roll No: 18AG63R16
Department of Agricultural and Food Engineering,
Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur,
West Bengal, India.

2. CONTENTS
 INTRODUCTION
 COMPONENTS OF BUCKET ELEVATOR
- HEAD SECTION
- BOOT SECTION
 CLASSIFICATION
- DEPENDING ON THE LOAD
- DEPENDING IN THE TYPE OF DISCHARGE
 CAPACITY AND HORSE POWER CALCULATION
 FACTORS AFFECTING CAPACITY
 ADVANTAGES OF BELT SYSTEM OVER CHAIN SYSTEM
 LIMITATIONS
 CONCLUSIONS
 REFERENCES

3. Bucket elevators are the most used systems for vertical
transport of bulk, dry, wet and even liquid materials.
BUCKET ELEVATOR
• Designed with various options of height,
speed and constructive details
depending on the type of material to be
transported.
• Are constructed by pieces or units to
allow to Define efficiently the needed
height.

4. COMPONENETS

5. HEAD SECTION

6. BOOT SECTION

7. CLASSIFICATION OF BUCKET
ELEVATOR

8. Directly To The Input Hopper
DEPENDING ON THE LOAD
• Used for transport of abrasive and big size materials.
• Chain/belt travelling speed is low.
By Digging
• Used for transport of materials that offer no resistance
to extraction, like fine grain and dusty materials.

9. Centrifugal
DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF DISCHARGE
• It is the most common.
• Great travelling speeds (1.2 and 1.4 m/s).
• Loading is carried out by dredging the material at the bottom of the
elevator.
• The separation distance between the buckets is 2 to 3 times the bucket
height.

10. • Lower travelling speeds (0.5 and 1.0 m/s).
• It is taken advantage of self weight.
• Classification:
– Free gravity: It is necessary to change the free
branch line or incline the bucket.
– Forced: The buckets are situated one after the other
without separation between them. The discharge
takes place due to gravity by means of the lower part
of the preceding bucket that acts as a discharge
spout.
Gravity or continuous
DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF DISCHARGE

11. Positive
• Similar to the gravity elevator safe that
buckets are fitted at the edges with two
cords.
• Bucket speed is low are appropriate for
light, aired, sticky materials.
DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF DISCHARGE

13. Bucket elevator capacity may be calculate by the following
equation:
Elevator capacity, 𝑚3/hr = bucket capacity, 𝑚3 × number of bucket
per meter of bet × Belt speed, m/min × 60
Capacity, t/hr. =
capacity,
𝑚3
ℎ𝑟
× 𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦,
𝑘𝑔
𝑚3
1000

14. Where,
Q = capacity of bucket elevator, kg/min
H = lift of elevator, m
F = factor; 1.5 for elevators loaded on the upside
1.2 for elevators loaded on the bottom side
Theoretical horse power requirement for bucket elevator can be
calculated by the following equation:

15. Assume, capacity (Q) = 30 Tonne/hr. and Pulley Dia. (DP) = 500 mm as constant
EFFECT OF LIFTING HEIGHT ON NUMBER OF BUCKET,
MOTOR POWER AND BELT LENGTH

16. Assume lifting height (H)= 3m and capacity (Q) = 30 Tonne/hr. as constant
EFFECT OF PULLEY DIAMETER ON SPEED, BELT
LENGTH, NUMBER OF BUCKET, AND SHAFT
DIAMETER:

17. Assume lifting height (H) = 1.5 m and pulley diameter (DP) = 250 mm as constant
EFFECT OF CAPACITY ON BUCKET WIDTH, BUCKET VOLUME, BELT
WIDTH, BUCKET PITCH, MOTOR POWER AND NUMBER OF BUCKET

18. Assume lifting height (H) = 1 m, pulley diameter (DP) = 200 mm capacity (Q) = 13.3 Tonne /hr. as constant
EFFECT OF EFFICIENCY ON MOTOR POWER

19. Factors that influence the capacity of an elevator are:
• Bucket type, shape and discharge characteristics
• Optimum speed in relation to pulley size
• Shape of head and boot
• Material characteristics such as size, shape and density, angle of repose,
coefficient of friction and terminal velocity.

20. ADVANTAGES OF BELT SYSTEM OVER CHAIN SYSTEM
The traction element may be either endless belt or endless chain, but belt system is
preferred under certain conditions for the following reasons:
• Higher speed possible
• Quieter operation
• Possess better abrasive resistance to material like sand, coke etc.

21. LIMITATIOANS
Limitations of the system include the following points:
• Lump size should be under 100mm.
• The material should not be very sticky.
• The temperature of the materials should be ambient or slightly above.
• The materials should not be excessively corrosive or abrasive

22. CONCLUSIONS
 Bucket elevator is a type of vertical or inclined transport equipment that efficiently moves
goods between floors, vessel or other structure.
 Elevator is generally powered by electrical motors that either drive traction cables or
counterweight system like a hoist or pump hydraulic fluid to raise a cylindrical piston like
jack.
 Generally it is preferred for short in distance compared to belt conveyor.
 It is more preferable to transport the materials vertically.

23.  Beverly, G.J.,Roberts,A.W.,Hayes, J.W.: Mechanics or high speed elevator discharge. Bulk Solids
Handling 3–1983
 Hemlata H.Mulik, Bhaskar D.Gaikwad, Design of Sugar Bucket Elevator and Roller Conveyor
Chain for 20 Tonnes per Hour Capacity, International Journal of Engineering Trends and
Technology, Volume 20 Issue 1, Feb 2015.
 Patel.S,Patel.A ,Patel.J, A Review on Design and Analysis of Bucket Elevator, International Journal
of Engineering Research and Applications, Volume 2, Issue 5, Sep- Oct 2012, pp.018-022
 W. McBride, M. Sinnott, P. W. Cleary: Discrete element modelling of a bucket elevator head pulley
transition zone. Springer Verlag 2011.
 Woodcock. C. R, J. S. Mason, Bulk Solids Handling: An Introduction to the Practice and
Technology, 1st Edition, Springer, 1987
REFERENCES