Safety and Security aspects of Newly Developed Pipe Conveyors

 

1. The conveyor belt runs inside the pipe in both forward and reverse directions and belt on belt and belt on pipe friction is only a minimal consideration.The increased power require- ments are only fractionally higher than for conventional conveyors per tonnage conveyed.
   
2. The conveyor is stable in windy conditions as there is no external return belt and idler pulleys to create wind resistance, conveyor belt flapping, vibrations and conveyor instability. There is no external return belt to get wet when it rains which can result in wetting of dry material being conveyed.
   
3. The complete conveyor belt is quickly installed by pulling a continuous, accurately factory spliced belt through the pipe by hand or using the motorized drive pulley. Removal of the conveyor belt is done in the same way. There is therefore no necessity to join the belt into the conveyor system as with conventional conveyors and complete spare belts can be kept on site. In the case of the food or chemical industries PVC belts are considered a better option than rubber belts as they can be pulled into the pipes by hand and require less power to operate. Down time is therefore minimized during belt replacement.
   
4. The conveyors are supplied in three, six or twelve meter flanged lengths and are easy to assemble and dismantle into their component parts. The units are thus easy to containerize and transport.
   
5. The conveyors are completely safe and secure as they are supplied in completely enclosed units, hands off, eyes off units. This is of particular importance in the diamond industry or where other materials of high value are being conveyed. The conveyors are spillage free provided suitable feeder control systems are used.
   
6. The conveyors can be supplied in pipe diameters of 100 to 500mm and in lengths of up to 30 meters and can operate at angles up to 22° depending on the material being conveyed and the belt speed employed.
   
7. Pipe diameters up to 500mm have been tested up to tonnages of 130 tons per hour for alluvial gravels. Tonnages of 0.5 tons to 80 tons an hour are easily achievable for pipe diameters of 100 to 400mm in diameter for pipe conveyor lengths of up to 30 meters. The individual conveyors can be interlinked (piggy-backed) to form a continuous unit. The interlinked pipe conveyor system has the advantage that similar belt lengths can be used for each interlinked conveyor and where a belt has to be replaced it involves only one of the conveyor sections and not the belt for the entire conveyor system.
   
8. The pipe conveyors can be installed in situations where there are space restrictions and where conventional conveyors cannot be accommodated.
   
9. Pipe conveyors can be supplied as half pipes where an incorporated top walkway is required or where severe space restriction is a factor. These half pipe conveyors come at an additional cost and should only be considered where necessary.