The Problem of Dusting During Loading of Bulk Material and Telescopic Loading Spout

Loading of various bulk solids materials is one of the important aspects of overall bulk material handling operations. Various devices are available for particulate bulk material loading. Telescopic chute or telescopic loading spout is a device that helps in loading free flowing bulk solids material. These are also used for loading bulkers and trucks, ships and barges and also for stock piling.

Big Telescopic Chute

Downwardly suspended discharge chutes are used to load bulk solids materials. Telescopic chute is a special type of loading chute that has the capacity of retracting and expanding. The material freely falls through the discharge chute in a stream influenced by gravitational force until it gets deposited in the vehicle forming a stock pile. The bulk material also contains dust and other foreign particles which gets carried along with the bulk material.

While the material is getting loading, the dust that is generated needs to be vented. A bag filter can be used for this operation. An integral bag filter with reverse pulse jet mechanism can be used for effective dust control.

Telescopic Chute

There are many disadvantages associated with the dusting that is generated while the loading of bulk material. First and foremost is that the dust is harmful for the environment and causes air pollution. Also it is harmful for the health of the people in the vicinity of the dusting area. The lungs of the people inhaling the dust laden air gets affected negatively and may cause serious health problems depending on the material and type of dust. The workers need to wear protective masks to avoid this problem. However the workers may not be sensitive towards their health and avoid using masks as they find it inconvenient.

Secondly the dusting causes the violation of the norms laid down by government and may attract penalties which adds up to the costs. Governments lay down the acceptable levels of dust particles in the air and the norms need to be followed.

The visibility in the area of dusting is also another problem. Poor visibility can result in accidents and serious injuries to the employees. In case the dust is explosive the dust control becomes all the more essential. Hence telescopic chute or telescopic loading spout is an important dust control equipment for loading of bulk solids material.

How Telescopic Chute Works?

Usually a chute is a mechanical guiding plate used to guide the bulk material in a particular direction. A telescopic chute is a mechanical device used for the same purpose of directing the flow of bulk solids material. Here there are two or more than two separate sections or chute elements mounted co-axially above one another. These elements are connected via a flexible wire rope and the design is in such a way so as to create a telescopic action thereby the elements become stackable on each other mutually.

The construction of the equipment is such that it gives the chute flexibility hence it can be lowered or raised as required. The chute height is adjusted by way of wire rope which passes through all the elements and is attached to the last element. When the lower most element is lifted the other elements get stacked inside each other thereby giving the telescopic action.


The chute elements also known as sections can be conical, cylindrical or even pyramidal in shape. The selection depends on the application and the manufacturing capabilities of the manufacturer. The lifting of the sections by the wire rope is executed by the drive comprising of brake motor and gearbox or geared brake motor through a wincing drum.