Введение
Company S operates six Φ18×35 cement silos. As shown in the diagram, there are air transport chutes under silos 1, 2, 3, and 4, 5, 6 to convey materials to the outside elevator. In August 2020, the company planned to increase its cement varieties. This required transferring cement from silo 4 to the chute under silos 1, 2, and 3. Due to the high transfer volume (300 m³/h) and the small height difference between the feed and discharge points, installing an air transport chute was not feasible. Other equipment options were either energy-intensive, prone to wear, or incompatible, making the selection and design process difficult.At this point, the storage and transportation department learned about Дарко's air chain conveyor. They contacted Darko's technical team. After a site survey and extensive discussions, they finalized the technical plan to use the air chain conveyor. The order was placed at the end of 2020. Due to tight production schedules, installation only started in July 2021 and was completed within the month. The system performed exceptionally well and met all expectations. Here are the key technical features of the project:
1. Guaranteed Process Height
The air chain conveyor can transport materials horizontally. The design moves material from silo 4 to the chute under silo 2. This setup involves an approximately 135° bend. To save on height, we implemented two measures:
First, we changed the feed method at the inlet of the first air chain conveyor from the usual top feed to a side feed. This adjustment allows the material to drop directly from the silo's discharge valve to the side of the equipment, saving about 500 mm of space.
Second, at the junction of the two air chain conveyors, we switched from the typical vertical overlap to a horizontal overlap. The discharge from the first conveyor feeds into the side of the second conveyor. Due to the 135° angle, this horizontal overlap created a triangular area where material could accumulate, potentially hindering transport. To prevent material buildup, we installed an air cushion at the junction, supplied by a common Roots blower. This significantly reduced resistance, ensuring smooth material flow. As a result, this design saved about 1000 mm in process height, allowing material from silo 4 to enter the chute under silo 2 smoothly.
2. Rational Equipment Selection
For a transfer volume of 300 m³/h, a simple layout with a single device and minimal angles could typically use the FUK630 model. However, given the current process requirements, particularly the 135° junction and end discharge, we opted for the FUK800. After several months of operation, we found that this model met the 300 m³/h requirement and handled sudden increases in pressure within the silo without causing blockages.
3. Low Energy Consumption
The specifications for the two air chain conveyors are as follows: the first is FUK800×13.5 meters with a power of 5.5 kW, and the second is FUK800×31.7 meters with a power of 11 kW. Both conveyors share a single 18.5 kW Roots blower for air supply, resulting in a total transport distance of 45.2 meters and total power consumption of 35 kW. This is slightly higher than the FUK630 (30 kW) but significantly lower than traditional chain conveyors (75–90 kW), achieving over 50% energy savings. Additionally, the slightly lower chain speed enhances the lifespan of the conveyor while maintaining complete shell sealing, meeting all environmental standards.
Заключение
While selecting high-performance equipment is essential, the design of the process based on equipment characteristics and site conditions is equally important. The success of the technical solutions depends on how well the equipment features align with the specific situation. Many users prioritize this aspect. Design experience is also invaluable in this process, so it is crucial to choose not only the right equipment but also an experienced manufacturer.
If you are interested in our technical solutions or need further information, please feel free to связаться с нами. We are happy to help!
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