Equipment
Vertical vibrating spiral elevator for gentle upward conveying and intensive cooling of hot plastic pellets, available in Air-Cooled and Water-Cooled jacketed models.
Reference values for the model or models named above. The confirmed configuration, the capacity basis and the scope of supply are stated in the quotation and the drawings.
Overview
Lifts plastic pellets vertically while simultaneously cooling them via high-velocity forced air or double-jacketed water cooling along an extended spiral flight path.
The Vibrating Spiral Elevator (also known as a Spiral Cooling Tower, Vertical Vibratory Spiral Conveyor, or Spiral Pellet Cooler) is a high-efficiency multi-functional system designed for modern plastics compounding, masterbatch manufacturing, and polymer recycling lines. Combining vertical material elevation with continuous thermal quenching, the machine elevates freshly cut plastic pellets while simultaneously cooling them along an extended helical travel path—requiring only a fraction of the floor space demanded by traditional horizontal fluid bed coolers or bulky inclined belt conveyors.
Driven by twin synchronized unbalance vibratory motors mounted at precision counter-opposed angles, the elevator induces a harmonic micro-hopping motion. Pellets tumble gently upward along a continuous multi-tier spiral flight fabricated from polished SUS304 stainless steel. This gentle, friction-free transport ensures zero pellet deformation, prevents abrasive fines generation, and provides continuous 360-degree surface exposure for rapid heat dissipation.
Depending on polymer crystallization characteristics, thermal sensitivity, surface tackiness, and workshop ambient conditions, the Vibrating Spiral Elevator is engineered in two distinct cooling configurations:
The air-cooled model integrates high-velocity centrifugal blowers and directional air distribution manifolds arranged vertically along the spiral column. Filtered ambient or chilled air is injected continuously across each ascending flight tier through targeted air knives. As pellets hop upward, the high-velocity cross-flow airflow penetrates the fluidized pellet layer, rapidly stripping sensible heat and residual surface moisture. Air-cooled models are highly energy-efficient, require zero water piping, and represent the industry standard for rigid polyolefins (PP, HDPE, LDPE), engineering thermoplastics (ABS, PS, PA, PC), and standard masterbatches.
For temperature-sensitive, low-hardness, or tacky polymers, the water-cooled model features proprietary double-walled hollow spiral flights with internal liquid guide baffles. Closed-loop chilled water (typically 7°C to 12°C from an industrial chiller) circulates continuously through the sealed hollow flights. As hot pellets contact the chilled stainless steel flight surfaces during their micro-hopping ascent, intensive conductive heat transfer occurs, cooling pellets 2.0× to 3.0× faster than air alone. Water-cooled models eliminate the risk of pellet deformation and sticking, making them indispensable for Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPE, TPU, TPV), Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA with high vinyl acetate content), hot-melt adhesives, and low-melting point polyolefin elastomers (POE).
In high-tonnage compounding lines, pellets discharging from centrifugal dewaterers often retain elevated internal core temperatures (75°C to 90°C). If packaged immediately into 25 kg bags or transferred directly into bulk storage silos, residual core heat dissipates slowly, leading to catastrophic pellet caking, blocking, and resin sweating. By providing 60 to 180 seconds of ascending residence time within a compact vertical footprint of just 1.2 to 1.5 meters diameter, the Vibrating Spiral Elevator quenches pellet temperatures to safe packaging levels (≤ 40°C–45°C), ensuring perfect free-flowing pellet quality.
Key features
Each picture names one part of the machine and what it does for the material and the batch.
Available in high-velocity forced Air-Cooling configuration (high-volume filtered ambient or refrigerated air blowing through directional nozzles) or advanced Water-Cooling configuration (continuous double-walled hollow spiral flights circulating chilled water for high-intensity conductive contact cooling).
Combines vertical elevation (2 m to 6 m) and extended spiral conveying distance (up to 30–60 linear meters of travel) inside an ultra-compact footprint (typically 1.0 m to 1.5 m diameter), replacing 15-meter horizontal fluid beds and bulky inclined belt conveyors.
Twin synchronized unbalance vibratory motors mounted at precision counter-opposed angles. Generates gentle, harmonic micro-hopping motion that ascends pellets without shearing, abrasive pellet degradation, dust generation, or pellet deformation.
The spiral trough is formed as one continuous piece, not assembled from segment trays, and helically welded to the heavy-gauge central column as one unit. Polished SUS304 or SUS316L throughout, with a crevice-free surface that eliminates the ledges where pellets and colorant lodge, so color changes stay clean.
Depending on base structural configuration and column diameter, 8 to 10 heavy-duty rubber damping columns are fitted to isolate dynamic oscillatory forces and maintain operational stability. The rubber columns act as wear-absorbing components and should be periodically inspected and replaced when worn or aged.
Equipped with stainless-steel braided flexible jumper connections, inline analog pressure gauges, overpressure relief valves, and drain ports at the cooling medium supply/return interfaces. Enables real-time pressure and flow monitoring to safeguard jacketed cooling flights against overpressure and hydraulic shock during continuous operation.
Material and process
Read the conditions together: a machine is selected for the material and the output, not from its name alone.
The Vibrating Spiral Elevator is specifically engineered for plastics compounding, masterbatch manufacturing, and polymer recycling facilities requiring vertical pellet lifting and intensive thermal quenching within an ultra-compact footprint. It replaces space-consuming inclined conveyors, long water troughs, and bulky horizontal fluid bed coolers, combining the functions of a vertical elevator and a cooling tower into one vertical footprint.
Optimized for a comprehensive range of polymer types across both Air-Cooling and Water-Cooling configurations:
Operates on directional inertial micro-hopping vibration; technical boundaries include:
Accepts continuous gravity or chute feed of polymer pellets, masterbatches, and elastomer granules directly following post-pelletizing centrifugal dewatering, underwater pelletizer drying, or water-ring cutting:
Discharges continuously cooled, aerated, and completely solidified polymer pellets at safe downstream processing and packaging temperatures:
Throughput
Read a figure together with the basis below it: the same machine reaches different numbers on different materials.
500–4000 kg/h
Lifting and cooling throughput capacity is rated from 300 kg/h up to 3,500+ kg/h based on continuous vertical conveying of standard polymer pellets (bulk density 0.50–0.65 kg/L) through spiral column diameters ranging from 500 mm to 1,200 mm and lifting heights from 2.0 m to 6.0 m:
Models
The figures are the reference values entered for each model. The model for your line is confirmed against your material and output before it is quoted.
We have reinforced every part, wrapped the equipment in PE film, and packed it in a wooden crate to meet LCL shipping requirements and ensure maximum protection against impact damage.
Built for elastomer pellets, which need conductive cooling rather than air alone, so this is the water-cooled type: a Ø1,000 mm spiral column with a lift height of up to 6 m, taking the heat out through the trough wall on the way up. Every part was reinforced, the equipment wrapped in PE film and packed in a wooden crate to meet shipping requirements and protect against impact damage.
A pellet cooling, drying and classification line for a plastics modification plant in Thailand that compounds ABS for automotive parts and interior components — cut, cooled, dried and graded in one closed line instead of being moved by hand between separate machines.
Scroll the table sideways to read every column →
| Model | Rango de capacidad | Potencia nominal | Spiral Groove Diameter | Height (Customizable) | Working Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NC-Z1250 | 0.3-0.5 Ton/Hour | 0.2 kW | ø300mm | 1250mm | 1500Hz/min |
| NC-Z2000 | 0.6-0.8 Ton/Hour | 0.4 kW | ø350mm | 2000mm | 1500Hz/min |
| NC-Z3500 | 3-3.2 Ton/Hour | 1.5 kW | ø500mm | 3500mm | 1000Hz/min |
| NC-Z4500 | 4-4.2 Ton/Hour | 3 kW | ø610mm | 4500mm | 1000Hz/min |
| NC-Z6000 | 2-2.2 Ton/Hour | 4.4 kW | ø800mm | 6000mm | 1000Hz/min |
Scope of supply
The quotation states the scope for the confirmed configuration; the groups below describe how a supply is normally split.
Installation planning
These are the connections the machine and the line around it have to agree on before the layout is fixed.
Mechanical: Bottom tangential or radial infeed hopper positioned beneath the upstream dehydrator discharge chute; top tangential discharge chute connecting to linear vibrating screens, pneumatic conveying adapters, or storage silos; heavy-duty flexible silicone/PU vibration-isolating connection boots (DN150–DN250) on all ports.
Electrical & Control: Three-phase industrial power supply to local control cabinet; interlock terminals providing dry contacts for Run/Fault status, remote line interlocks with upstream pelletizers, and emergency stop coordination.
Cooling Utilities: For Water-Cooled models, flexible high-pressure water supply/return braided hoses (1″ to 1.5″ BSP/NPT) connected to external chilled water loop with flow monitoring and pressure relief.
The buyer provides a reinforced level concrete floor slab (minimum 150 mm thickness, grade C25/C30) capable of absorbing dynamic vibratory oscillation without resonance transmission. Standard elevator configurations are designed and calibrated for ground-floor (1st floor) foundation installation. If installation on upper floors (e.g., 2nd floor mezzanine or elevated steel platform) is required, please notify our engineering team in advance: we will perform customized structural resonance evaluations and upgrade the vibration isolation engineering (including damping column stiffness tuning, dynamic counter-balancing, and platform isolation framing) to eliminate harmonic resonance and prevent structural fatigue or vibration damage to the building; three-phase industrial main power cabling routed to the local control cabinet; flexible silicone/PU boots connecting upstream centrifuge chutes and downstream screening/silo piping; and for water-cooled models, external chilled water supply/return piping (7°C–12°C, 2.5–4.0 bar) equipped with shut-off valves and water filtration.
Spare parts
The parts that wear in normal service, and the spares worth keeping on site. How often a part is replaced depends on the material and the duty the machine runs, so the basis is confirmed for each machine.
Inspect for rubber aging, micro-cracking, deformation, or elasticity loss during regular maintenance; replace when worn or damaged.
Depending on the base configuration and spiral diameter, 8 to 10 rubber damping columns are installed per unit. They bear the primary dynamic oscillation load and serve as wear parts.
Inspect contact block conductivity, mechanical detent feel, and potentiometer response semi-annually; replace immediately if contact resistance increases, emergency reset sticks, or frequency knob jitters.
Standard electrical cabinet replacement pack including industrial start/stop pushbuttons (with indicator lights), twist-to-release emergency stop push button switch, and precision frequency adjustment potentiometer / digital keypad for the variable-frequency drive (VFD).
Inspect monthly for vibration fatigue, weeping, or hose chafing; replace braided hoses every 12 months.
High-pressure stainless steel flexible braided hoses and rotary distribution fittings supplying chilled water to the vibrating column.
Blades, screens and other normal consumables are outside the standard warranty. How a spare part is identified and ordered is set out under Warranty & Spare Parts.
Selection
Work through what you already know. The rest is settled in the conversation, not before the first message.
Selecting the optimal vibrating spiral elevator configuration depends on polymer thermal properties, required temperature drop, factory headroom, and environmental conditions:
Request a Quote A model name, a material or a drawing is enough to start.
Photos and videos
Indíquenos el material, el proceso y el resultado que necesita lograr. Los detalles técnicos se pueden completar más adelante junto con nuestro equipo de ventas.
