Belt conveyor systems are now extensively used for the efficient transport of bulk materials over long distances. The choice of this conveying method does, however, depend on the result of a comparison, in economic terms, with alter native methods:.
- ropeway
- railway.
- truck (road vehicle)
- pipeline
- other methods (e.g., high-speed "trains" of tubular containers powered by linear motors, more particularly the German "asbz" system)
The following factors are of major importance with regard to the economy of a conveying system:.
- capital cost.
- cost of land.
- operating costs.
- maintenance costs.
- repair costs.
- operational reliability.
- capacity reserve.
- personnel requirements.
- energy consumption.
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