Ways to reduce the risk of emergencies on belt conveyors operating in mining enterprises

Abstract

Since the majority of emergencies on belt conveyors of mining enterprises are associated with the conveyor framework, the article considers the failures of its elements - roller supports. The process of functioning of the framework is presented as a Markovian process of death and reproduction for a system of n parallel connected elements (roller supports) with intensity of failure and recovery λ r and μ r, respectively. The maximum permissible number of non-working roller supports, as well as the required number of roller supports replacement per shift to prevent an emergency on the conveyor, are determined. The value of the risk of conveyor framework failure K was also determined. Thus, for the given operating conditions, load flow characteristics and conveyor parameters, it is possible to calculate the maintenance intensity at which the risk of an emergency is minimal. This allows for efficient planning of belt inspections and repairs. To eliminate the risk of emergencies a patent-pending method for monitoring the technical condition of a belt conveyor framework by automatically monitoring the number of idle rollers on the framework has been developed. This prevents accidents caused by belt breakage and fire, as well as loss of traction of the conveyor drive.