Klinkenberg Screw Live Bottoms

Discharge Systems
Advantages FAQ
Request a quote

Discharge Screws & Live Bottoms

Screw Live Bottoms: Efficient Solutions for Reliable Material Flow

In industrial processes, controlled discharge of bulk materials from silos and hoppers is crucial for efficient and reliable production. Screw live bottoms, also known as live bottom systems, are specially engineered to ensure consistent, controlled outflow—even with poorly flowing materials.
Request a quote
Uithaalschroeven & losbodems
Schroefuitdraagbodems

Discharge Screws

Discharging solid products such as sludge or sticky materials can be challenging due to bridging. Klinkenberg offers the solution to this problem: a discharge system with multiple Discharge Screws. By installing two, three, four, or even more Discharge Screws, a highly reliable system is created that prevents bridging and excels in effectiveness.

Need technical advice or want to discuss the possibilities?

  • Can be designed with one or multiple screws
  • Ideal for dosing a wide range of bulk materials
  • Flexible design options
  • No issues with product bridging or tunneling in the hopper
Schroefuitdraagbodems

High-Efficiency Discharge Screw Systems

  • Adjustable discharge rate
  • Can be installed on load cells
  • Various screw shaft configurations
  • Reliable performance

By installing multiple screws in a hopper, bin, or silo, you create a very reliable discharge system for bulk solids prone to bridging. Using conventional screw shafts allows high torque without damaging the shafts, unlike shaftless screw beds. Screw flights can be tailored to match the product, ensuring optimal compatibility. The system is highly versatile and can be used for both low and high capacity applications.

Screw Live Bottoms Features and Applications for Consistent Material Flow

Icon check

Reliable Material Handling:

Ensures a continuous flow, even for difficult-to-handle materials.

Icon check

Space Efficiency:

Ideal where height is limited but large buffer volumes are required.

Icon check

Low Maintenance Costs:

The robust design and choice of high-quality materials result in long lifespan and minimal maintenance needs.

Discharge Screws & Live Bottoms Custom-designed for maximum performance under demanding conditions

  • Tailored to your specific application
  • Wide range of construction materials – steel, stainless steel, and wear-resistant alloys
  • Screw blade design adapted to product characteristics
  • High-torque drive for reliable startup under heavy-load conditions
Uithaalschroeven & losbodems

Efficient and Accurate Dosing with Live Bottoms

Live bottoms are among the most precise and efficient methods for dosing bulk materials. Many processes start with bulk materials discharged from hoppers, bins, or silos. The inlet surface of a live bottom is fully loaded and designed to dose bulk materials at fixed or variable speeds.

  • Enables mass flow
  • Screw shafts can operate intermittently
  • Fully enclosed design
  • Proven concept
Uithaalschroeven & losbodems

We are happy to help Screw live bottoms provide an efficient and reliable solution for dosing and transporting poorly flowing bulk materials. Their flexible design and adaptability to specific process requirements make them a valuable asset in various industrial sectors.

Request a quote

Applied Technologies We always choose the right technology for your process

Klinkenberg technology includes the following variations:

Toegepaste technieken

Technology, Finishing, and Safety.

If you would like to know more about the underlying or applied technologies for screw conveyors— such as bearings, seals, safety features, ATEX compliance, surface finishing, or even the packaging of purchased machines—feel free to contact us.

Discuss the possibilities Discover more

Variants

Discharge bottom with deflector plate

image

Discharge bottom – mass flow

image

Paddle live bottom for sticky products

image

Live bottom beneath 200 m³ silo

image

Documentation Exclusive with a personal design

Bulk density table

Bulk density table

Expressed in kg/m³ and lbs/ft³

View and download

FAQ Direct answers to your questions

Find quick answers to frequently asked questions about Screw Discharge Bottoms. Our FAQ section helps you make the right choice.

Is your question not listed?
Feel free to send us a message.

Contact us

A screw discharge bottom is a mechanical system consisting of multiple parallel screws mounted at the base of a silo, hopper, or storage container. These screws rotate in sync to discharge material in a controlled and uniform way, preventing bridging and downtime.

Screw discharge bottoms are suitable for a wide range of bulk materials, including:

  • Powders (flour, cement, lime, starch)
  • Granulates (plastic pellets, sand, sugar)
  • Moist or sticky materials (sludge, wood chips, compost)
  • Fibrous materials (wood fibers, paper pulp)

The screws are typically powered by electric motors with gear reducers. Each screw element can have its own drive or be linked via a shared shaft. For precise control, a variable frequency drive (VFD) can be used to adjust the rotation speed.

Feature

Screw Discharge Bottom

Vibratory Motors

Chain Conveyors

Prevents bridging

✅ Yes

❌ No

⚠️ Limited

Uniform discharge

✅ Yes

❌ No

 

Compact design

✅ Yes

✅ Yes

❌ No

Maintenance intensity

🔹 Low

🔸 Moderate

🔸 Moderate

Suitable for sticky materials

✅ Yes

❌ No

⚠️ Limited

Energy consumption

⚡ Medium

⚡ Low

⚡ High

Capacity depends on factors such as:

  • Screw diameter (typically between 150 mm and 600 mm)
  • Screw rotation speed (tuned to the material type)
  • Inclination angle (horizontal = higher capacity; inclined = reduced flow)
  • Material properties (bulk density, moisture content, cohesion)

Yes, screw discharge bottoms can be designed for explosive (ATEX) zones using:

  • Antistatic and spark-free materials
  • Explosion-proof motors and control panels
  • Grounding and dust-tight seals to eliminate ignition risks

Depending on the application, different materials are used:

  • Stainless steel (304/316) → For food and chemical industries
  • Hardox/wear-resistant steel → For abrasive materials like sand or cement
  • Coated or galvanized steel → For corrosion-resistant use

Maintenance is relatively low and includes:

  • Regular inspection of bearings, seals, and screw flights
  • Lubrication of drives per maintenance schedules
  • Replacement of worn screw blades for abrasive materials

Yes, most screw discharge bottoms can be custom-engineered for integration into existing silos or hoppers, taking dimensions, flow patterns, and installation constraints into account.

A vibrating bottom uses vibrations to loosen material, while a screw discharge bottom actively transports it. Screw discharge bottoms are better suited for sticky materials prone to bridging.