Influence of the elastic modulus of a conveyor belt on the power allocation of multi-drive conveyors

Abstract

The implementation of multiple drives for belt conveyors can solve the problems associated with motor overpower and the excessive tension of conveyor belts powered by a single drive. However, multiple drives can suffer from uneven driving power allocation. Among various factors, the selection of the type of conveyor belt particularly affects the power allocation. The current study aims to investigate the influence of the elastic modulus of a conveyor belt on the power allocation of multi-drive conveyors. Based on the Kelvin-Voigt viscoelastic model, a discrete model of an entire machine is established. Kelvin-Voigt software is used to simulate the working conditions of conveyor belts with different elastic moduli under full loads. The driving forces of individual rollers are obtained and then compared. Compared to other types of belts, a steel wire core conveyor belt, whose elastic modulus is relatively high, effectively improves the stability of the conveyor belt under a full load after start-up to achieve a reasonable power allocation. The results of this study provide a foundation for conveyor belt selection for multi-drive conveyors.

Computer Aided Modeling of Wood Chips Transport by Means of a Belt Conveyor with Use of Discrete Element Method

“…A further research direction is performing the actual tests and comparing them with the simulation test results. The tests carried out on the development of conveyor belt systems are still an up-to-date research subject, e.g., in the scope of improving work reliability [63], recognizing damage [64], limiting transport energy intensity [65], increasing usage safety [66][67][68], or testing the mechanical properties of transport belts made of innovative materials [69,70].…”

Analysis of Conveyor Drive Power Requirements in the Mining Industry

“…The mining industry requires an enormous amount of energy for powering the conveyor drives [11][12][13]. In the mining industry, the emphasis is placed on improving the energy efficiency of conveyor drive power requirements.…”

“…In the mining industry, the emphasis is placed on improving the energy efficiency of conveyor drive power requirements. Power requirement analysis is essential for improving the conveyor drive energy efficiency in any mining industry [11]. The mining industry must pay enough attention to the conveyor drive power requirements analysis [3,12].…”

“…Vast works and research are available for energy optimization and modelling of conveyors drives. The optimization of energy has been done by the researchers for belt drive [9,11,[14][15]. Among the available related research, Shirong Zhang et al [9] worked on the energy efficiency optimization of the belt conveyors.…”

“…K. P. Shah [14] worked on the belt conveyor for the construction of coal mine drive system, maintenance, and bulk material handling in coal plants that include the power consumption for the different ideal and industrial case. The driving force produced by a single conveyor drive in the mining industry might not satisfy the requirement for material handling in long transport as well as may not be suitable for high speed and heavy drive [11]. Thus, the number of the conveyor drive in the material handling of the mining industry differ based on the amount of bulk materials, hour of service, and operational types.…”