There is no single "best" conveyor — only the one that fits your material and plant. This guide compares the four main bulk solids conveyors and shows when to use each, so you can shortlist the right machine before talking to a supplier.
In this article
1. The four main conveyor types 2. Side-by-side comparison table 3. When to choose each type 4. How Tianyi helps you decide1. The four main conveyor types
Most bulk handling lines are built from a combination of these machines. Understanding what each does best is the first step to a correct selection.
- Belt conveyor: the workhorse for long, horizontal runs at high capacity. Ideal for granules and lump materials over distances from dozens of meters up to several kilometers.
- En-masse chain (scraper) conveyor: a fully enclosed, dust-tight conveyor. Best for fine or dusty powders that need multiple inlets and outlets, and for hazardous (explosive) duty where sealing matters.
- Screw conveyor: a compact, fully enclosed device for short-distance metering of powders or sticky materials where a simple, sealed transfer is enough.
- Bucket elevator: the standard machine for vertical lifting — feeding silos, reactors, or furnaces where floor space is limited.
2. Side-by-side comparison table
| Conveyor type | Conveying path | Typical capacity | Typical distance / height | Sealing | Explosion-proof option | Key maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belt conveyor | Horizontal / slight incline | High (long, continuous lines) | Long (up to km scale) | Medium | Optional (ATEX packages) | Low |
| En-masse chain conveyor | Horizontal / small incline | Medium–High | Medium | Excellent | Yes | Medium |
| Screw conveyor | Horizontal / small incline | Low–Medium | Short | Excellent | Yes | Medium–High |
| Bucket elevator | Vertical | Medium–High | Vertical (up to ~80 m for steel-cord) | Excellent | Yes | Medium |
3. When to choose each type
Choose a belt conveyor when
you need long horizontal transport at high capacity of granules or lumps, with low capital cost and minimal maintenance. It is the default for stockyard, loading, and inter-building transfer.
Choose an en-masse chain conveyor when
the material is fine, dusty, or prone to segregation, and you need a sealed, dust-tight path with several feed and discharge points — or the duty is combustible and requires explosion protection.
Choose a screw conveyor when
the run is short, fully enclosed metering of powders or sticky material is required, and capacity is modest. It is simple, compact, and easy to seal.
Choose a bucket elevator when
you must lift material vertically into silos, reactors, or furnaces and floor space is limited. Pair it with a belt or en-masse conveyor for the horizontal feed.
4. How Tianyi helps you decide
Selection starts from the material, not the machine. We look at particle size, moisture, abrasiveness, temperature, and explosiveness, then match the conveying direction (horizontal vs vertical) and required capacity. From there we engineer a complete system — receiving, crushing, conveying, lifting, diversion, and dedusting — as one integrated package. For a step-by-step method, see our Bulk Material Handling Equipment Selection Guide, and for oxygen-sensitive powders read about our gas-tight en-masse conveyor with nitrogen inerting.
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Send us your material properties (particle size, moisture, temperature, abrasiveness, explosiveness) and process flow. We'll engineer a system matched to your duty — not a generic catalog build.
Request a Design ConsultationFrequently Asked Questions
What is the most common bulk conveyor type?
The troughed belt conveyor is the most widely used for long horizontal runs and high capacity. En-masse chain and screw conveyors are preferred for sealed, dust-tight duty, and bucket elevators for vertical lift.
Belt conveyor vs en-masse chain conveyor — which is better?
Choose a belt conveyor for long, high-capacity horizontal transport of granules and lumps. Choose an en-masse chain conveyor when the material is fine, dusty, or needs a sealed, explosion-protected, multi-inlet/outlet path.
When should I use a screw conveyor?
For short, fully enclosed metering of powders or sticky materials where a compact, sealed transfer is needed and capacity is modest.
Can these conveyors be made explosion-proof?
Yes. En-masse chain conveyors, screw conveyors, and bucket elevators can be built gas-tight with anti-static belts, explosion venting, and monitored safety devices for combustible-dust duty.
How do I choose the right conveyor for my material?
Start from the material: particle size, moisture, abrasiveness, temperature, and explosiveness, then match the conveying direction (horizontal vs vertical) and required capacity. Tianyi engineers a complete system from these inputs.