Delft University of Technology
Faculty Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering Transport Technology
S. Moerman Overview and characteristics of long distance overland belt conveyor systems Literature survey, Report 2006.TL.7027, Transport Engineering and Logistics.
In this report, developments in belt conveyor design over the past 25 years have been researched. The report focuses on long distance overland belt conveyors in the range of 3 - 20 (km). These types of conveyors are usually conventional throughed belt conveyors, equipped with a steel cord belt and driven at head and/or tail. Typical projects are Henderson, Channar, Zisco and Middelburg. Special designs like RopeCon and CableBelt are not included in this report.
The first area of interest is the characteristics of the belt itself. It can be concluded that the maximum flight length has increased continuously, with rapid developments in the most recent years. The longest flight on earth today is 70% longer with a much more complex geometry then the longest belt in 1972. The width of the belt has not changed that much: usually the belts were and are between 800 and 1200 (mm) wide. Apparently this is the most economical belt width. The maximum strength of the belt has increased, although equally strong belts are also still applied.
The same holds for the speed of the belt: the maximum speed has increased while the equally fast belts are also still applied. Also the development in the efficiency of belt conveyor transport has been analyzed, with help of two dimensionless factors: the Loss Factor of Transport and the DIN equivalent friction factor. From Loss Factor of Transport viewpoint, it can be concluded that there has been a continuous improvement since 1980 and that the minimum achieved value today is about 25% less than the minimum value of 1981. From DIN f viewpoint, it can be concluded that the todays minimum value is only 55% of the minimal value found in the DIN guidelines of 1982. The average value of the DIN f today is 30% less than the minimal value advised in 1982. Apparently, designers of today have solid reasons to deviate from the old guidelines.
Reports on Transport Engineering and Logistics (in Dutch)
