A new application of AC adjustable speed drives in conveying technology. [Performance of adjustable speed conveyor equipment at mine sites]

Journal Article · · World Mining Equipment; (United States)

OSTI ID:5951055

Radmanovic, B

Conveyor techniques and equipment are constantly reviewed and evaluated by large capacity mining operations burdened by the heavy operating costs of truck haulage. Although conveyors are known to be cheaper to run and far less affected by poor site conditions, the high capital cost of a change to a conveyor system has been the primary prevention to a site conversion. This paper reviews a newly installed innovative drive system for a large conveyor installation at a major copper mine in Arizona. The design includes a combination of squirrel cage induction motors with variable frequency converters. The application includes both uphill, nonregenerative and, for the first time, downhill fully regenerative drives. This system provides fully adjustable acceleration, with precise torque control, as well as dynamically smooth regenerative braking. The design of the controls include a bypass facility that allows the conveyor to run continuously in operation without the use of the variable frequency converter, which is required only to perform start-up and stopping/braking. It also contains a multiple bypass configuration which allows the converter to start more than one conveyor. The paper describes the specific site and the specific energy requirements of the system along with the capacity, components, and horsepower.

• OSTI ID: 5951055
• Journal Information: World Mining Equipment; (United States), Journal Name: World Mining Equipment; (United States) Vol. 17:7/8; ISSN WMEQDP; ISSN 0746-729X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
422000* -- Engineering-- Mining & Underground Engineering-- (1980-)
ARIZONA
CONVEYORS
DESIGN
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ELECTRIC MOTORS
ENGINES
EQUIPMENT
HAULAGE EQUIPMENT
MATERIALS HANDLING
MATERIALS HANDLING EQUIPMENT
MINE HAULAGE
MINING
MINING EQUIPMENT
MOTORS
NORTH AMERICA
SPECIFICATIONS
SURFACE MINING
TRANSPORT
USA