Author: E. Strydom
Bulk solids handling Vol 23, No. 2, 2006
Abstract
Belt feeders provide an effective and controlled method of reclaiming material from hoppers, stockpiles and silos. In a variety of applications, belt feeders also provide the most cost effective method of feeding, this based on their initial capital cost and high reliability. Lately belt feeders have been designed to provide bulk material reclaim rates of more than 10,000 t/h. Due to their widespread application and considerable increase in size, optimum design has become more prominent due to its influence on the initial capital cost, as well as life cycle cost.
Historically, belt feeder design has relied on various empirical methods for determining loads exerted by bulk materials on belt feeders in different applications. Different methods produce a large spectrum of calculated powers and belt tensions when compared to one another. To achieve more accurate designs, judgement and experience are required in making the correct assumptions on the variables, factors and methods used to determine the load on belt feeders, and as result the ultimate design of the feeder.
In order to reduce the risk of under- or over designing, experimentation through modelling of the hopper, belt feeder and the hopper-to-belt feeder interface is a tool that should be considered to support and verify design calculations.
This paper discusses the principle of modelling as well as case studies in which experimental modelling of installations were conducted. The models’ accuracies are discussed and compared with measurements obtained from operational belt feeder installations.
