This is commonly done in foundrys to divert sand to molding machines. The belt is flat and a diagonal or v-plow is lowered to the belt to scrape material from the belt. The diagonal plow removes material to one side of the belt while the v-plow removes material from boths sides of the conveyor. To provide support under the belt, Guard-a-Seal by Martin Engineering (www.martin-eng.com) is placed in the area to be scarped. ■

Dear Mr. WPS,

The plough is certainly used for creating discharge of material at any point along conveyor length. However, this demands following requirements :

1) The material abrasiveness

2) Belt speed

3) Lump size

4) Duration of operation in a day and in a year.

Generally, ploughs are used for small capacity and low speed conveyors. However if you have some very emergency kind of requirement, for comparatively short duration then it can be used for relatively higher speed belt, knowing well that it could reduces the belt life. Please mention the belt width, speed, material, material lump size, troughing angle etc. to give more specific information. In case the conveyor has troughed belt, then it is to be flattened at the installation of plough.

Regards,

Ishwar G Mulani.

Author of Book : Engineering Science and Application Design for Belt Conveyors.

Advisor / Consultant for Bulk Material Handling System & Issues.

Email : parimul@pn2.vsnl.net.in

Tel.: 0091 (0)20 25882916 ■

I have successfully plowed pet coke at 600 t/h and 1 m/s. This was for a sampling station and part time operation.

I recommend the plow apply symmetrical belt steering forces on belt using a VEE type plow arrangement and a bifurcated chute.

The coke particles were up to 150 mm. THe plow had to accomodate the large particles and had a two stage design. The first stage used a cow-catcher concept. THe first blade was placed forward of the second plow in contact with the belt. Sufficient space was provided to allow free flow of the smaller particle stream between plow blades.

I would not recommend a plow discharge for a permanent operation unless the material was below 1 mm in particle size. ■

Dear Wps

We have used v plows for discharging (-)6 mm coal from conveyor to boiler bunkers. It is better in case you use fixed tripper instead of V plow due to following reasons

1.0 Some fine material is left on conveyor as efficiency of v plow is not 100 pecent

2.0 chances of material spillage are there as belt becomes flat at v plow location

3.0 Belt life is reduced

4.0 difficult to use on high speed /capacity.

A R SINGH ■

We currently use a v plough arrangement and remove material at about 1000t/h, the material in Bauxite and we have been achieving this for about 20 years. 900 wide fabric belt (quarry master) RUNNING ON PIG EURETHANE SLIDER BED (WATER LUBRICATED) we have some wear issues on the v plough with about 300,000 tonnes unloading before a plough blade change out is required. yet using the eurethane it is relatively cheap.

hope that helps

Gibbsy ■