Auger with paddles for ash

Auger with paddles for ash and slags manufactured for a power plant. In this application the first part of the auger has standard cylindrical flight. After the cylindrical flights, the auger has paddles. The use of cylindrical flights ensures that you move material fast away from the inlet of the screw conveyor. The paddles ensure mixing of the material and that minor lumps can be crushed during the trasnport. Augers for transportation of ash and slags are often manufactured with paddles due to description below.

Why shall I use paddles in an auger?

1. Between the paddles there is air. It means that material flow in the auger is broken and moved when new material pushes on it. This create a mixing of the material
2. The above process by using paddles can also be used for sticky materials that could cause blocking by using cylindrical flights
3. Material with lumps that can relative easily brake are suitable for an auger with paddles. They will brake during the transport process and equalize the material flow

Conclusion – use auger with paddles, mixing, lump braking or sticky material. Paddle screw conveyor for ash transportation. The screw rotor is designed to transport out ash from an electro filter in a power plant. The paddle design ensures that minor lumps can be crushed during the trasnport.

Technical note

• When designing paddles for augers, the paddles shall have the same surface compared to a cylindrical flight – a helix surface. If you just use a cut-off plate, you will have an increased wear on the paddle.
• When calculating the capacity of the auger deduct the area that is missing compared to a cylindrical auger. Then you have a rough estimate of the capacity.
• Auger with paddles shall be designed for lower filling degrees – Below 20% to ensure an optimal function.

See another example on a screw auger for mixing

FAQ – Auger with Paddles for Ash and Slags

1. What is the purpose of using paddles in an auger for ash and slag handling?

Paddles are used to break the continuous material flow inside the screw conveyor, creating pockets of air between the transported material. This interruption improves mixing and helps prevent blockages, especially when handling sticky or irregular materials. For ash and slags, the paddles also support the breaking of smaller lumps during transport, ensuring a more even and manageable material flow throughout the system .

2. How does an auger with paddles improve performance compared to standard cylindrical flights?

While cylindrical flights move material quickly away from the inlet, paddles introduce controlled agitation. This combination ensures both efficient transport and effective material conditioning. The mixing action helps equalize the material and reduces the risk of clogging, making the system more reliable for challenging materials such as ash, slags, or sticky by‑products from industrial processes .

3. What design considerations are important when specifying paddles for an auger?

Paddles must be designed with a surface area equivalent to a helical flight to avoid excessive wear. Using simple cut‑off plates increases abrasion and shortens service life. Additionally, capacity calculations must account for the reduced surface area compared to a full cylindrical flight. For optimal performance, augers with paddles should operate at filling degrees below 20% .

4. Which applications benefit most from augers with paddles?

This design is ideal for materials that require mixing, gentle lump breaking, or improved flowability. Power plants commonly use paddle augers to transport ash from electrostatic filters, where the paddles help crush minor lumps and maintain consistent throughput. The design is equally useful for other industries handling friable or sticky materials