Abstract
This study suggests a small-sized screw decanter specialized for dredging sites. Generally, conventional screw decanters are composed of a cylinder and a cone. However, the suggested screw decanter simply has a cone based on a cone-type bowl structure. In this research, a commercial analysis tool is used to establish an optimal design for the bowl and the screw conveyor. Moreover, the base frame, where the main bearings that support the spindle of the bowl and the screw conveyor are installed, is optimally designed considering the weight of the rotating body and the deflection caused by the high centrifugal force. Furthermore, the natural frequency range of the spinning body, the bowl and the screw conveyor, is applied to this base frame; it is designed not to correspond to the resonance frequency range and achieves stability as a result. This study suggests an optimal design for the rotating body and the base frame of a screw decanter considering its vibration characteristics. Such a design will prevent overuse of materials and help to reduce the weight and volume-and the price-of a screw decanter.