A Pipe conveyor is a rubberized belt formed into a tubular shape from a traditional troughed design. The belt passes through hexagonal idler groups that curl it into a sealed pipe, fully enclosing the material during transport. Over the past 40 years, pipe conveyor technology has advanced significantly and now matches troughed conveyor technology in capacity and reliability. As a professional bulk material handling solution provider with over 20 years of experience, ZOOMRY designs and manufactures custom pipe conveyor systems for mining, cement, coal, and power industries.

How a Pipe Conveyor Works

A pipe conveyor transforms a flat Conveyor Belt into a tubular shape using hexagonal idler roller groups. At the loading point, the belt is flat like a standard troughed conveyor. As it passes through transition idlers, the belt edges are progressively curled upward until they overlap, forming a sealed pipe. Material is loaded at the feed point before the belt closes, then transported inside the enclosed tube. At the discharge point, the belt reopens to release material — then returns empty in its tubular form, preventing carryback spillage on the return side.

This enclosed design enables the pipe conveyor to navigate tight 3D curves and steep inclines up to 30° without transfer points — capabilities that troughed conveyors cannot match. The pipe conveyor belt is available in steel cord and fabric carcass types, with pipe diameters from 100 mm to 850 mm.

Pipe Conveyor vs Trough Conveyor — Key Advantages

Feature	Pipe Conveyor	Troughed Conveyor
Material Containment	Fully enclosed — no spillage or dust	Open — requires covers for dust control
Curve Capability	Tight horizontal and vertical 3D curves	Limited to wide-radius horizontal curves
Incline Angle	Up to 30°	Typically up to 18-20°
Return Side	Enclosed — no carryback spillage	Open — carryback falls onto ground
Environmental Protection	Built-in — no additional covers needed	Requires Rain Covers and wind screens
Belt Width Utilization	Smaller width for same capacity	Wider belt required

Applications of Pipe Conveyors

Pipe conveyors are the preferred choice when environmental protection, terrain complexity, or material containment are critical:

• Cement plants: Dust-free transport of raw meal, clinker, and finished cement between process stages.
• Coal handling: Enclosed transport prevents coal dust emissions and meets ATEX safety requirements.
• Mining: Navigates complex terrain with 3D curves — eliminates transfer towers and reduces civil works.
• Power plants: Clean transport of coal, limestone, and ash with zero spillage along the route.
• Chemical and fertilizer: Protects hygroscopic and corrosive materials from moisture and contamination.

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