Investigation in characteristics of belt conveyors and their idler rollers for coal-fired power plants

Belt conveyors are highly efficient systems used in mining and other industries to transport bulk materials, mainly brown coal and overburden, over distances ranging from short distances to several kilometres. For technical reasons, their operation is associated with noise emissions. During inspections and maintenance this can lead to increased noise exposure of employees. In the vicinity of residential buildings or in areas needing protection, exceeding the emission limits can lead to a temporary restriction of the operation of these high performance installations. Measures are required to reduce the noise impact primarily at the source or in the immediate vicinity. The acoustic and mechanical parameters are investigated on a test bench at the Technical University of Brandenburg (BTU) Cottbus-Senftenberg as part of the drive assembly tests in cooperation with LEAG. The stages of these tests are: Run-up test. In this test the supporting roller is accelerated under test load to a circumferential speed of 10 m/s and the sound pressure level is recorded. This makes it possible to calculate the sound emission as a function of the peripheral speed; Recording the geometry of the idler gear. An accurate description of the geometry of the idler housing allows conclusions to be drawn about the possible causes of excitation. The defined characteristics serve to quantify the acoustic effect of the driven rollers and derive specifications for use in belt conveyor systems. Based on the special requirements to the planned belt conveyor system, an adapted selection of low-noise idler rollers can be made at an early stage on the basis of specified parameters and confirmed test results.

1. VDI 2341 (2007-2). S 18 Pkt. 5.3, Satz 4. ( In Germany)

2. Taschner D. Untersuchungen der akustischen Wirkung von Tragrollen zur zielgerichteten Lärmminderung an Gurtförderanlage. In Qucosa, Technical University of Freiberg 2014;: 109.

3. Simon S., Schneider R. Prüfung der akustischen Wirkung von Tragrollen zur Ableitung von Vorgaben für Gurtforderanlagen.10th symposium "Safe operation of large conveyor systems" 2020.

4. Schneider R., Fritsch T., Magister J., Rieder T. Die Akustische Kamera zur gezielten Lärmminderung und zustandsbezogenen Instandhaltung von Tagebau- Grossgeraeten. 10. Fachtagung "10th symposium Safe operation of large conveyor systems" 2020.

5. Rieder T., Schneider R., Hernschier S., Magister J., Fritsch T., Taschner D., Simon S. Untersuchungen zur Wirkung der Unwucht auf die Schallemission von Tragrollen an Gurtförderanlagen. Magdeburg: Logisch GmbH. 24th symposium bulk material handling technology 2019;: 111–130.

6. Schneider R., Simon S., Taschner D., Hernschier S., Rieder T., Magister J., Biegel P. Untersuchungen zur Wirkung von Kreisformabweichung und Exzentrizität auf das Laufverhalten von Tragrollen in Hochleistungsgurtförderanlagen. Clausthal-Zellerfeld, Papierflieger Verlag GmbH,8th Colloquium Conveyor Technology in Mining 2018;: 99–110.

7. Rieder T. Untersuchung zur Wirkung von Unwucht auf die Schallemission einer Tragrolle. Magdeburg: Otto-von-GuerickeUniversity Magdeburg, Conference on bulk material handling technology in Garching, Technical University of Munich 2018;: 191–202.

8. Rieder T., Schneider R., Hernschier S., Magister J., Fritsch T., Simon S. Entwicklung der Tragrollen für den Lausitzer Tagebau. 4th Engineering Day 2018 of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Energy Systems and the Faculty of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Urban Planning: NESEFF network meeting 2018;: 225–238.