Conveyor material backflushing
Conveyor material backflushing
(OP)
Hello,
I was recently given a project to assess what needs to be done about a raw material (limestone and gypsum) conveyor "backflushing" (12 degree incline). By backflushing I mean the following: material rides too high on the belt and it moves backwards and causes spillage off to the sides. It is not possible to reduce the angle of incline.
Belt speed estimate: 685 feet / minute (3.5 m/s, 7.8 mph)
material size: 1-3" diameter
belt width: 48"
I am not sure how to calculate the maximum allowable speed of conveyor belts, I assume it varies with material type and density. If the belt speed is increased, material depth is decreased while tons/hour stays the same.
Does anyone have any other suggestions on how to prevent the material from falling back down the incline? Since we can't reduce the angle of the conveyor, and the current chain drive system is already problematic at current RPM, I am searching for alternatives.
Also, if anyone knows how to calculate conveyor volumetric utilization %, that would be useful.
Your help is greatly appreciated.
L
I was recently given a project to assess what needs to be done about a raw material (limestone and gypsum) conveyor "backflushing" (12 degree incline). By backflushing I mean the following: material rides too high on the belt and it moves backwards and causes spillage off to the sides. It is not possible to reduce the angle of incline.
Belt speed estimate: 685 feet / minute (3.5 m/s, 7.8 mph)
material size: 1-3" diameter
belt width: 48"
I am not sure how to calculate the maximum allowable speed of conveyor belts, I assume it varies with material type and density. If the belt speed is increased, material depth is decreased while tons/hour stays the same.
Does anyone have any other suggestions on how to prevent the material from falling back down the incline? Since we can't reduce the angle of the conveyor, and the current chain drive system is already problematic at current RPM, I am searching for alternatives.
Also, if anyone knows how to calculate conveyor volumetric utilization %, that would be useful.
Your help is greatly appreciated.
L





RE: Conveyor material backflushing
One option would be to replace the belt with a ribbed belt. This will probably require some major retrofitting, however.
An (expensive) option is a cap belt. It's essentially an upside down conveyor that rides on top of the material only on the incline, helping to keep it compacted. It will require its own drive and support, of course.
Other than that, I don't think there's too much you can do besides lowering the incline for that size material. If it was finer, I'd suggest methods of wetting and/or compacting, but those don't generally work on large diameter material.
RE: Conveyor material backflushing
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RE: Conveyor material backflushing
Russell Giuliano
RE: Conveyor material backflushing
RE: Conveyor material backflushing
VERY BADLY!!
And you'll have to change your return idlers.
RE: Conveyor material backflushing
Back to the drawing board for options, still seems like speeding this belt is the best way to alleviate current spillage.
RE: Conveyor material backflushing
Just a thought, can you change out the inclined portion of the belt conveyor for a drag link conveyor?