Reduced Power Consumption for Conveyor Belts

Customer demand for greater efficiency and reduced operational costs on modern overland conveyors has focused attention on the conveyor belt's rolling resistance properties. Studies have indicated as much as 60% of the power losses on a long horizontal conveyor can be attributed to the indentation of the pulley cover rubber as it passes over idlers. This paper will compare tan delta values of different compounds with large scale rolling resistance test data from the University of Hannover. Results will then be compared to actual power consumption data gathered on several long overland conveyors using identical belt construction except with different pulley cover compounds. Concluding comments will be made indicating substantial operating cost differences based on the rolling resistance of the cover compound.