Belt Conveyor

A belt conveyor is a machine that utilizes friction drive to transport materials continuously; it is primarily composed of a frame, conveyor belt, idlers, pulleys, a tensioning device, and a drive unit. As one of the most fundamental pieces of material handling equipment in industrial production, it is suitable for transporting bagged goods as well as low-abrasiveness materials—in powder, granular, or small-lump form—with a bulk density of less than 1.67 tonnes per cubic meter. Widely used across sectors such as mining, metallurgy, coal, power generation, ports, chemicals, and building materials, belt conveyors serve as the "arterial system" that connects various production stages and enables the continuous flow of materials.

The value of belt conveyors in industrial production lies not only in enhanced material handling efficiency but also in their role in ensuring the continuous and automated operation of production lines. In the fertilizer industry—covering products such as organic and compound fertilizers—belt conveyors integrate with equipment such as crushers, turners, granulators, dryers, coolers, screeners, and packaging scales to form complete production lines. Thanks to their outstanding advantages—including high conveying capacity, stable operation, and broad adaptability—belt conveyors have become indispensable infrastructure in modern industrial production.

Structural composition of the equipment

Belt conveyor mainly consists of the following components:

(1) Conveyor belt: It is both a load-bearing part and a traction part. Depending on the conveyed materials and the length of the conveying distance, different types such as cotton canvas conveyor belts, nylon conveyor belts, and EP polyester conveyor belts can be used.

(2) Driving device: including motor, reducer, transmission roller, etc. The outer surface of the transmission roller can be a bare metal surface, or it can be covered with a rubber layer to increase the friction coefficient.

(3) Idlers: including trough-shaped rollers (carrying section), parallel rollers (return section), self-aligning rollers (correction) and buffer rollers (blanking point) and other types.

(4) Drum: including transmission drum and redirecting drum.

(5) Tensioning device: There are screw type, trolley type, counterweight type, hydraulic type and other types.

(6) Rack: carries all components.

(7) Auxiliary devices: safety protection devices such as cleaners, unloaders, deviation switches, speed switches, and rope switches.

Application scope of the equipment

Belt conveyors are widely used across various industries requiring the continuous transport of materials.

Mining and Metallurgy: Transport of ore, ore fines, concentrates, and sinter.

Coal and Power: Transport of raw coal, clean coal, gangue, and fly ash.

Building Materials and Cement: Transport of limestone, cement, clinker, and sand/gravel aggregates.

Chemicals and Fertilizers: Transport of fertilizer raw materials, finished fertilizers, and chemical powders.

Ports and Terminals: Loading, unloading, and transshipment of bulk cargo.

Grain and Agriculture: Transport of grain and animal feed.

Organic and Compound Fertilizer Production: Continuous transport of materials between processing stages.

Types of usable raw materials

Belt conveyors can transport a wide variety of materials. Bulk materials include coal, crushed stone, sand, cement, chemical fertilizers, grain, cereals, ore, and fly ash. Unitized loads include bagged materials weighing less than 100 kg per unit. Generally, the temperature of the conveyed material should be below 60°C.

The working principle of the equipment

The working principle of a belt conveyor is as follows: the conveyor belt loops around the drive pulley and various redirection pulleys to form a closed circuit, with appropriate tension applied by a tensioning device. During operation, the drive unit provides power, which is transmitted to the belt via friction between the drive pulley and the belt itself, driving the belt in continuous motion. Material is loaded onto the belt at the feed end and transported to the discharge end for unloading. The equipment must be started under no-load conditions; material should only be fed in once normal operation has been established.

Equipment operating instructions

(I) Pre-start checks: Before startup, adjust the conveyor belt tension and ensure belt fasteners are secure; verify that drive components—such as bearings, gears, and chains—are in good condition; ensure all idlers and safety guards are in place; and confirm proper electrical grounding or neutral connection. Stationary belt conveyors must be installed on a solid foundation.

(II) No-load startup: The belt conveyor must be started without a load; material feeding should only begin after the conveyor is operating normally. Starting the conveyor after material has already been loaded is prohibited.

(III) Operational monitoring: Ensure uniform material feeding during operation to avoid overloading. Monitor the conveyor belt for smooth operation and check for any belt misalignment (drifting); stop the conveyor to make adjustments if misalignment is detected.

(IV) Shutdown procedure: All material must be fully discharged before stopping the conveyor; the machine should only be shut down after the belt has been completely cleared of material.

Equipment maintenance methods

(I) Daily Maintenance: Clean off residual material and dust from the equipment after each work shift. Inspect the conveyor belt for damage and check joints for looseness. Check the lubrication status of roller bearings and replenish grease promptly.

(II) Periodic Maintenance: Periodically tighten bolts and nuts. Periodically check the conveyor belt alignment. Periodically inspect idlers and other components, and replace any damaged parts.

(III) Lubrication Management: Add lubricant promptly to ensure proper bearing lubrication. Change the gear oil in the speed reducer according to the prescribed schedule.