A new side sealing system for belt conveyors patented and manufactured in Germany is reducing material spill, dust formation and explosion hazards at transfer points and other critical sections in the conveyor chain, according to ScrapeTec-Trading.

The contact-free AirScrape® conveyor belt skirting system hovers freely above the conveyor belt, meaning skirt friction and belt damage is eliminated and service life extended, the company says.

Thorsten Koth, Sales Director, Scrapetec-Trading, said the system, which encompasses inward facing, hardened-steel diagonal blades, operates according to a new principle where it hovers 1-2 mm on the left and right side above the conveyor belt.

“These blades deflect larger particles inwards, while using the air flow of the conveyor belt and conveyed material to create an inward suction, flowing any dust and fine particles back into the product flow,” Koth said. “Through these diagonally fitted blades and the speed of the running belt, air is drawn from the outside inwards. As a result, neither the dust nor material can escape.”

Conventional skirting is pressed against a conveyor belt to keep dust and material in the middle of the belt, according to Koth. After a period, wear of the skirting and belt can be so severe that material and dust escapes, he said, adding that material spillage at transfer points needs to be removed and regular maintenance of belt skirting and transfer points is necessary.

“With the AirScrape dust-free and contact-free side sealing system for belt conveyors, there is no skirt contact and therefore no belt wear or damage,” he said. “Motor power requirements are reduced as there is no belt-skirt friction and, because there is continuous skirting with no gaps, product loss is minimal.

“Studies show that even three years after installation and with continuous use in harsh conditions, the AirScrape system hardly shows any signs of wear. Operational costs are also reduced because there is no need for spillage collection, regular maintenance, or replacement parts.”

This system comes in pairs of left and right hand two metre, inter-connectable pieces to form any required length, and is available in three different base widths of 100 mm and 55 mm to suit various belt widths and chute sizes. For flexibility on site, this system is completely extendable, according to the company.

AirScrape is fitted using spacers, floating the blades just above the belt, and is attached to the outside of the chute by using existing skirt clamps or a bolt and nut system. It is longitudinally adjustable to follow the contours of conveyor belt rollers and the belt trough angle.

This durable system consists of non-flammable and anti-static polyurethane materials and blades made from Hardox/stainless steel, the company said. FDA-approved materials are also available for specific conveyor handling applications.

Designed and manufactured in Germany by ScrapeTec Trading, the AirScrape system is available from BLTWORLD throughout Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands; from Grupo-ISC throughout South America and from Scrapetec-Trading for the rest of the world.