Full definition
The engineering discipline and equipment systems for transporting, storing, processing, and controlling the flow of particulate and granular materials in large quantities — minerals, coal, grain, cement, fertilizer, aggregate, and industrial powders. Major equipment categories: (1) Transport — belt conveyors (dominant), screw conveyors, bucket elevators, pneumatic systems, and pipe conveyors. (2) Storage — silos, bins, hoppers, and stockpiles. (3) Flow control — gates, feeders (belt, apron, vibrating, rotary), diverters, and chutes. (4) Size reduction — crushers, mills, and grinders. (5) Size separation — screens, classifiers, and cyclones. (6) Loading/unloading — ship loaders, stackers, reclaimers, and truck dumps. Rubber and polymer products are critical throughout: conveyor belts (the single most important component), chute and hopper linings, screen panels, skirting, and pump components. Design standards: CEMA (USA), DIN 22101 (Germany), ISO 5048, and mine/plant-specific engineering standards. The bulk handling industry represents a major market for industrial rubber products — a typical mining operation consumes millions of dollars annually in belts, linings, and wear components. Professional bodies: CEMA, TUNRA (University of Newcastle), and Conveyor Dynamics. Software: Overland Conveyor, CEMA spreadsheets, DEM simulation (Rocky, EDEM).