S_Cor
Student
- Jul 8, 2024
- 1
Dear readers, I’m a final year mechanical engineering student, and I also work for a mining company and am getting some exposure to different mining equipment. Hence the topic of the question.
I’ve been trying to understand how a process works. When determining the torque for an apron feeder the governing phenomenon would be the breakaway force, this is due to the bulk shear effect in the feeder’s chute/hopper. I’ve done some playing around with calculations from different places and I have come to the conclusion that when the feeder is traveling up an incline, as the angle increases the torque will decrease which initially was perplexing, however, makes sense as the particles will break free easier on an angle. However, I’ve been told by people more experienced than myself that the torque will increase due to the increase in slot length, as the belt surface area contact will increase with angle, which makes sense. There in lays my problem, and the crux of my question. I cannot get this to be reflected in any of my pondering and playing around. I’m wondering if anyone with experience can shed some light on, or share some reflection on their experiences, or point me in the direction of any useful literature on the particle mechanics involved.
PS. I am aware that the overall operational loading will increase with the angle. However, the bulk shear I’m referring to is purely talking about the initial increase from 0 m/s to > 0 m/s as the material on the layer between the belt and the hopper shears, given that the material in the hopper stays at 0 m/s relative to the belt.
Many thanks!
I’ve been trying to understand how a process works. When determining the torque for an apron feeder the governing phenomenon would be the breakaway force, this is due to the bulk shear effect in the feeder’s chute/hopper. I’ve done some playing around with calculations from different places and I have come to the conclusion that when the feeder is traveling up an incline, as the angle increases the torque will decrease which initially was perplexing, however, makes sense as the particles will break free easier on an angle. However, I’ve been told by people more experienced than myself that the torque will increase due to the increase in slot length, as the belt surface area contact will increase with angle, which makes sense. There in lays my problem, and the crux of my question. I cannot get this to be reflected in any of my pondering and playing around. I’m wondering if anyone with experience can shed some light on, or share some reflection on their experiences, or point me in the direction of any useful literature on the particle mechanics involved.
PS. I am aware that the overall operational loading will increase with the angle. However, the bulk shear I’m referring to is purely talking about the initial increase from 0 m/s to > 0 m/s as the material on the layer between the belt and the hopper shears, given that the material in the hopper stays at 0 m/s relative to the belt.
Many thanks!