Underground Rubber Belt Conveyor Design and Performance

Seven recognized standard conveyor design methods are investigated for accuracy when applied to the case of a typical existing underground colliery 'trunk' coal conveyor. In-field tests of this conveyor, carried out over a continuous five day operation period as coal was being transported from the coal face to the surge bins, provided an accurate bench-mark for the analyses of results. The following design methods used for these studies include:- (a) International Standard IS0 5048, (b) Conveyors Equipment Manufacturers Association (CEMA), (c) Mechanical Handling Engineers Association (MHEA), (d) Apex Belting Conveyor Handbook, (e) Goodyear Handbook Method, (f) Bridgestone Conveyor Belt Design Manual, (g) Fenaplast Technical Manual, and (h) Yokohama Conveyor Belts. The in-field tests included end pulley belt tensions data derived from the end pulley loads measurements obtained using strain gauging techniques. Continuous records of the relevant load histories provided accurate conveyor and motor power profiles which could be correlated with the belt tensions using on-line computing facilities. Results from this study were detailed and able to provide an accurate assessment of the performances of the various design methodologies in this type of application.