Comparative coal transportation costs: an economic and engineering analysis of truck, belt, rail, barge and coal slurry and pneumatic pipelines. Volume 5. Conveyor belts. Final report

Technical Report · Mon Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1977

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6172087· OSTI ID:6172087

Reiber, M.; Soo, S. L.

A generalized specification and costing model for high tonnage coal carrying conveyor belts of 3.5 to 100 miles is presented. These belt systems, in modular units or flights, of up to 9 miles in length can be considered in terms of gathering systems. This study has concentrated on setting up an heuristic programming model for conveyor belt facility optimization and cost minimization. The analysis starts with the principle factors involved in the design of the system and their optimization for various cases. This is followed with a factor by factor cost analysis based on industry data and the preceding optimization. Finally, it has been assumed that the belt movement is over level terrain; if the terrain is hilly, both construction and operating costs increase. Operating costs rise due to increased belt tension. The program can be used, as needed, to provide the operating costs for any feasible terrain. A conveyor system is versatile and easy to operate. It is generally reliable and, once installed, has low maintenance and operating costs. As tonnages increase, fixed and operating costs become even more favorable. Nylon had been considered suitable only for the cross and filler threads of the belt carcass. Technical advancement in heat setting and fabric weave created a major change by allowing full tension strength. Nylon resists moisture, acid and mildew. It also has excellent resistance to impact and can be produced with controlled elongation and elastic properties that work to advantage in reduced-ply belt construction. Another technical breakthrough produced a significant increase in chemical bond adhesion. The improved interface between an underground hauling system and a surface hauling system has been an important cost reducing factor in coal mining.

• Research Organization: Illinois Univ., Urbana (USA). Center for Advanced Computation
• OSTI ID: 6172087
• Report Number(s): DOE/TIC-10053(Vol.5)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
013000* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Transport
Handling
& Storage
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360400 -- Polymers & Plastics-- (-1987)
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
COAL
COMPUTER CALCULATIONS
CONVEYORS
COST
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMICS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENGINEERING
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
MATERIALS
MATERIALS HANDLING
MINE HAULAGE
NYLON
OPTIMIZATION
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PLASTICS
POLYAMIDES
POLYMERS
TRANSPORT