Ash

Seems like this belongs in the tender section. Do you want serious parties to bid this or just play with it?

There are many benefits to be derived from proper design verses agricultural designs. What is the tonnage, rock size, moisture content, terrain path, lift or fall, horizontal path, .......... all normal design criteria????

I believe I have answered a number of your queries. You have not responded in kind. Quid Pro Quo.

Lawrence Nordell

Conveyor Dynamics, Inc.

website: www.conveyor-dynamics.com ■

Dear Shri A K Bhatnagar

You have put very dificult question as its reply will amount to narating full design procedure which is difficult.

The practical answer is that the conveyor should be deisgned according to correct/ right engineering practice and standards. The design so done should be covincing to the buyer with all questions answered to the satisfaction of the buyer / user.

Regards

I G Mulani ■

Dear Ash,

Two things come immediately to my mind -

1. You will need a belt rip protection system - be it the electronic sensor loop type OR the electro-mechanical high elongation breaker sheet type, AND

2. You will need to be very careful about tracking of the belt. One important manufacturing critereon for this is high precision accuracy in positioning of the cords as well as equality of the cord tension imparted at the time of manufacturing.

However, this may not be something you can easily establish with various manufacturers. Therefore you could consider restricting your vendors to only those who have a satisfactory track record of having supplied the entire belt length of anh conveyor which is as long as yours. A satisfactory tracking performance in such an installation would give you some comfort about the belt manufacturers capability in this regard.

Kayem ■

There is nothing special about 2.2km long conveyors but you should install a rip protection as advised elsewhere. On tracking issues: you will have to train the belt yourself. While some manufacturers may claim equal stand pretensioning it all comes to nought in the splicing. So you will still have to shuffle idlers to and fro to get the beast running anything like straight.

Look out for places of danger if the belt breaks; what will fly into adjacent machinery; what will fall and damage foundations. Will you be able to see the whole belt from two vantage points etc. Those are the things you should worry about. ■

Dear Ash:

I am presenting a topical paper to BELTCON 12 RSA entitled:

"Overland Conveyors Designed for Efficient Cost & Performance"

The 17 page paper presents the folowing:

1. Power Analysis / Rubber Rheology understanding it principles

2. Power Analysis Capital & Operating cost benefits / savings

3. Idler Spacing Optimization on 7 km Bi-way Overland

4. Belts Strength Safety Factors

5. Head & Tail Drive Benefits

6. Note on Horizontal Curves

7. Belt Life & Transfer Chute Design

8. Dynamics & Controls

Your 2.2 km overland fits into this catagory.

If you have an interest you can get a copy from SK Nayak who I believe you know:

email: ckitind@vsnl.com

Lawrence Nordell

Conveyor Dynamics, Inc.

www.conveyor-dynamics.com ■

Dear Mr. Bhatnagar,

Without going into delatils, three things can be suggested.

1.Provide multi-drive both in tail & head end

2.Use power take-up with load-cell.

3.Provide more angle of wrap.

Regards.

Atanu Banerjee

M.N.Dastur & Co. Ltd.

Calcutta ■

Dear Mr. Ash Bahtnagar,

The previous comments are all valid.

Although 2.2km is not a long overland sytem, there are some differences from a short, in-plant system. You should take into consideration the special requirements for footings, bridges, and environmental protection (i.e. covers). Also, belt turnovers are common with overland systems.

Regards, ■

Dear Ash,

In my view you should use a pneumatic conveyor instead of a belt conveyor. Pneumatic conveying as you know is almost maintenance free and is a much simpler installation than belt conveying, specially for such long distances. I don't know the particle size but you may need a lump breaker to reduce the particle size to less than one inch.

We will be glad to help you if you decide to consider this option.

Amrit Agarwal (Tim)

Pneumatic Conveying Consultants

www.powderandbulk/pcc

polypcc@aol.com ■

Good Day Ash,

Without knowing the specifics, I can only offer my perspective on conveyor design.

You want an economical, safe, maintainable conveyor system that operates with the minimum of trouble.

Have your conveyor system designed by someone who can show expertise in all of these issues, particularly the dynamic behaviour of the belt under all operating conditions, and the configuration of loading and discharge chutes matched to the design belt speed and your material properties.

Install the conveyor well, with good alignment, and pay particular attention to the splicing implementation.

Issues such as belt rip detection and other safety monitoring need to be fully assessed before commitment.

The knowledge for construction of reliable, economical, low maintenance, low spillage belt conveying is proven and in the marketplace.

Good Luck ■