Trommel Screen (Rotary Drum Screen)

The trommel screen (rotary drum screen) is a perforated cylindrical rotating drum with a wide range of uses, from mining to waste and recycling. As it rotates it splits material into fractions using 2-3 different hole sizes, and it runs without blinding on clayey, wet and sticky material where a vibrating screen would blind. Capacity is 100-500 tph.

Rotary drum principle

The inclined cylindrical drum rotates; the lifting action raises and drops the material, correctly sized grains pass through the holes, and oversize travels along the drum to exit at the end. The holes can be sized as replaceable screen media. For maintenance there are fixed jacks on both sides, automatic lubrication and a walkway. Wet screening is possible with an optional water spray.

Trommel vs vibrating screen compared

Selection: for high clay/moisture needing washing or breakdown, choose the trommel; for high tonnage and a sharp multi-fraction cut, choose the vibrating screen.

Drum dimensions

Capacity 100-500 tph. Holes/decks: 2-3 different hole sizes (replaceable screen media). Note: a numeric table for drum diameter/length is not published; sizing is set per project in the quotation according to material, capacity and moisture. No fabricated values are given.

Sticky and recycling materials

Mining, waste and recycling, compost and topsoil screening, and clayey-wet material processing are the trommel's main uses. Wet screening with an optional water spray cleans clayey material. It can be complemented by a log washer for heavy clay and coarse material, or a screw washer for fine sand scrubbing.

Wash-and-screen line

The trommel screen sits at the heart of wash-and-screen lines handling clayey and recycled material. General Makina configures the rotary drum together with pre-washing, spiral/bucket washers and dewatering units; the line from sticky feed to clean product is engineered from one hand, complete with water recirculation and spare parts.