Horizontal Conveyor Research Articles

Development and integration of a continuous horizontal belt filter into drug production procedure

In the pharmaceutical industry, filtration is traditionally carried out in batch mode. However, with the spread of continuous technologies, there is an increasing demand for robust continuous filtration strategies suitable for processing suspensions produced in continuous crystallizers. Accordingly, this study aimed to investigate a lab-scale horizontal conveyor belt filtration approach for pharmaceutical separation purposes for the first time. The newly developed continuous horizontal belt filter (CHBF) was tested under different systems (microcrystalline cellulose (MCC)/water, lactose/ethanol and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)/water) and diverse conditions. Filtration was robust using a well-defined unimodal particle size distribution MCC in water system, where the residual moisture content varied within narrow limits of 45–52% independently from the process conditions. Besides, the residual moisture content highly depended on the applied solvent and particle size. It could be reduced to below 2% by processing the suspensions of either a volatile solvent (lactose in ethanol) or an aqueous slurry of a large particle size ASA. Finally, the CHBF was connected to a mixed suspension mixed product removal (MSMPR) or a plug flow crystallizer (PFC). The residual moisture content of the CHBF-filtered ASA product and operation characteristics (onset of steady-state) were evaluated in both continuous crystallizer-filter systems. The MSMPR-CHBF system operated with a longer startup period. The size of the in situ-produced crystals was of a similar order magnitude in both systems, resulting in a similar residual moisture content (around 20%). Overall, the tested continuous filter was robust, did not modify the crystal morphology in the examined experimental range, and could be effectively integrated with continuous crystallizers.

Real-time laser scanning for conditioned coarse-grained soil monitoring on conveyor belt in earth pressure balance shield

To address the hysteresis in assessing the workability of conditioned soils and the inefficiency in estimating the soil volume flow rate in tunnelling practice, a novel real-time assessment and monitoring approach was proposed. Based on laser scanning technology and point cloud data analysis, the approach can monitor the workability and the volume flow rate of conditioned soils on the horizontal conveyor belt of an earth pressure balance (EPB) shield in real-time. Firstly, the accuracy of laser scanning measurements was verified by comparing manually measured slump and spread values with laser scanning results. Then, a series of model tests for scanning the coarse-grained soils with different conditioning parameters and belt speeds on the horizontal conveyor belt were performed. The appropriate ranges of secant angle and unevenness of soil cross-sectional profile were obtained for assessing the workability of conditioned soils. The volume flow rate was calculated by integrating the cross-sectional areas of conditioned soils. Finally, the proposed approach was successfully applied in identifying the workability of conditioned soil and its discharge rate in the EPB shield tunnelling project. This study contributes to the real-time monitoring of conditioned soils on the horizontal conveyor belt and provides practical insights for the optimal management of EPB shield tunnelling.

NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF THE DRYING PROCESS BY ACTIVE VENTILATION OF THE PRODUCTS OF FRACTIONAL PROCESSING OF LEGUMES IN A CONVECTIVE BELT DRYER

The process of removing moisture from vegetable agricultural raw materials is a diverse, but energy-consuming stage of production, regardless of the applied methods and methods of drying. For forecasting energy consumption and designing drying equipment, analysis and generalization of the kinetics and dynamics of drying of plant raw materials is an urgent task. Based on the results of the conducted research, the technological and constructive-technological scheme of the convective belt dryer for the fractional processing of leguminous herbs was theoretically justified. The dryer is made in the form of a chamber with horizontal belt conveyors, in the middle of which there are heaters with heated steam, and in the upper part of the chamber there are centrifugal fans. With the help of the Simcenter STAR-CCM+ software package, a simulation of the technological process of drying in the developed dryer was carried out. Visualizations of the particle flow velocity distribution of products of fractional processing of legumes and air flow in the area of the convective belt dryer in the form of scalar and vector data were obtained. The temperature distribution of the air flow in the area of the convective belt dryer was also determined in a scalar form, which made it possible to detect its influence on the temperature of the alfalfa particles moving along the belt conveyors. The obtained results of numerical modeling confirmed the analytical calculations. However, for a more complete evaluation and optimization of dryer parameters, it is recommended to conduct additional experimental studies of the drying process of products of fractional processing of leguminous herbs and empirically check the rational structural and technological parameters of the convective belt dryer.

Вдосконалення конструкції бітерів дозатора кормів порційної дії

Вдосконалення конструкції бітерів дозатора кормів порційної дії

Cauliflower and broccoli floretting machine

Abstract
 Florets are the main edible parts of cauliflowers and broccoli, but stalks and leaves are also used in the production of vegetable soup mixes. In industrial processing lines, large cauliflower and broccoli inflorescences have to be separated into smaller florets with a diameter of 2 to 6 cm. Simple and inexpensive machines for floretting cauliflowers and broccoli, including devices that can be used in small-scale production, are in short supply on the market. Therefore, the aim of this study was to design a floretting machine composed of a load-bearing frame, a processing table, a crushing chamber and a horizontal conveyor. In the first stage of the process, one of the two conical knives is used to separate florets and leaves from stalks. The stalks fall into a container under the processing table, and the leaves are picked manually from the material on the table and are placed in a separate container. In the second stage, the separated florets are manually fed into the crushing chamber where larger florets are separated into smaller parts. The crushing chamber is composed of a rotating crushing roller and a fixed screen at the bottom. Florets that have been cut into the appropriate size pass through the screen and fall onto a conveyor belt under the crushing chamber. The quality of the floretting process can be inspected visually by the operator, and impurities or excessively damaged florets can be removed from the conveyor belt. In the final stage, the separated florets are transported to a container. The designed machine can be operated directly on the farm; therefore, the resulting produce is fresher than products that are transported and separated in a food processing plant

Increase of uniformity of heat treatment of layer of fibrous heat insulation on horizontal conveyor at side supply of heat carrier

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Increasing the Uniformity of the Heat Treatment of a Layer of Fibrous Heat Insulation on a Horizontal Conveyor with a Side Supply of the Heat Carrier

Increasing the Uniformity of the Heat Treatment of a Layer of Fibrous Heat Insulation on a Horizontal Conveyor with a Side Supply of the Heat Carrier

Environmental and Fecal Indicator Organisms on Fruit Contact Surfaces and Fruit from Blueberry Mechanical Harvesters

Although previous studies have examined microbial loads on food contact surfaces in blueberry packing plants, there is currently no information regarding microbial risks associated with mechanical berry harvesters used in commercial blueberry production. In this study, we surveyed up to nine fruit contact surfaces on seven mechanical harvesters in each of 2015 and 2016 in the field. These surfaces included the shaking rods at the front of the harvester, the sidewalls of the harvesting tunnel behind the shaking mechanism, the catcher plates collecting the detached berries, horizontal and vertical fruit conveyor belts, and berry lugs collecting the fruit at the back of the harvester. Swab samples were collected from each surface three times a day (morning, noon, and evening) and assessed for environmental and fecal indicator organisms including total aerobes, total yeasts and molds, coliforms and fecal coliforms, and enterococci. At the same time points, fruit samples were assessed for microbial loads before the fruit entered each harvester and after they exited the harvester. Results showed statistically significant differences in microbial loads among harvester surfaces, whereas the effect of sampling time was generally not significant. High levels of total aerobes and total yeasts and molds were recorded, especially on horizontal surfaces and/or those located at the bottom of the harvester such as the lower sidewall, the catcher plates, and the horizontal conveyor belt. These surfaces therefore should be targeted by cleaning and sanitization practices. There was also statistical evidence that passage through the harvester may increase the levels of the environmental microorganisms on fruit in the field. In contrast, fecal indicator organisms such as fecal coliforms and enterococci were detected only sporadically and at very low densities on harvester surfaces and blueberry fruit, and there was no evidence that passage through the harvester increased their levels on the fruit. Berry lugs consistently harbored microbial loads, and given their movement back and forth between the field and the packing plant, deserve particular attention with regard to cleaning, sanitization, and storage protocols.

Development of auto loading device in bearing positioning lip stamping

With the continuous development of our economy, the types and quantity of engine bearing are increasing. In order to prevent the bearing moving in the bearing pedestal, one or both ends of the bearing need to make positioning lip for axial positioning. In order to meet the needs of mass bearing production, an auto loading device for positioning lip of bearing is proposed in this paper. The horizontal conveyor belt and loading guide are used to make the blank turn to the required angle, and then the double cylinder valve and push rod motor are used to realize the time-sharing conveying and continuous loading of the blank. During the loading process, there are inclined slideway and blocking plate to avoid the collision between blanks and ensure the reliable loading bearings. Through the actual production verification, the developed device has the advantages of simple structure, low cost, fine working stability, and made great improving in the efficiency and safety for production of bearing.

The D5 Silo of Manganese of the Lampreana (Zamora): History, Construction Characteristics and Technology

Spain’s National Network of Silos and Granaries building a total de 665 silos and 285 granaries. 20 different typologies of silos were built, highlighting type D over all of them with a total of 389 units. This typology prolonged its construction for 34 years, appearing several subtypes (D1, D2, D3 D4 y D5). The Manganese of the Lampreana silo (Zamora) is a D5 type silo with 3,350 t of storage capacity, distributed in 24 storage tanks called cells, built in 1968. Architecturally speaking it is a simple and powerful silo. It has a rectangular shape, made up of three rows of square cells, the outer rows of cells rested directly on the ground storey floor and the center row is raised. Front tower between two cells, being embedded between them in a central position, achieving a compact and robust volume. The structure is made up of reinforced concrete pillars at the corners of the cells and the cell walls of reinforce bricks. Technologically speaking it has many similarities with its predecessors, types A and B. Here the elevator receives the grain directly from the reception hopper raising wheat and emptying it onto an upper horizontal belt conveyor, where dampers motorized valves, it is distributed across other tubes to one of the three cells in each bay. The grain is unloaded onto lower horizontal belt conveyors lying at different heights. From there it is carried to a raised cell for bulk offloading onto a lorry.

Materials Selection and Design Options Analysis for a Centrifugal Fan Impeller in a Horizontal Conveyor Dryer.

Comparative strength analysis of two popular options of the radial centrifugal fan impeller design used in horizontal conveyor dryer for fine-grained raw materials is presented. Three types of materials for impeller manufacturing—ASTM A36 steel, Hardox 450 steel and aluminium alloy 6061-T6 are considered. The finite element method (FEM) has been used to investigate stresses and deformations of the impeller within the operational speed range. Analysis shows that the better design is the impeller made of Hardox 450 steel with a central disk. Although the maximum stress is slightly higher in the blades slot for central disk fitting for this design option, it has greatly reduced stresses in contact edges with two other disks (by 22–38%) and blades bending deformation (by 51%). For this design, the maximum operational rotation speed is 1135 min according to the yield strength with a 15% safety factor, while for basic design, it is 1225 min. The rational choice of material depends on maximum value of the yield stress to density ratio as well as taking into account the operating conditions and required fan performance. Recommendations for manufacturing the centrifugal fan impeller related to chosen material are given.

DEM modeling of fine powder convection in a continuous vibrating bed reactor

Continuous vibrating spatial particle ALD reactors were developed to achieve high powder throughput while minimizing reactor footprint. Unlike fluidized bed reactors, continuous vibrating spatial particle ALD reactors operate below fluidization, using linear vibration to convey particles through alternating regions of precursor gas. Fine powder convection in these vibrating bed reactors is still not well understood, so cohesive discrete-element-method (DEM) simulations were performed to investigate the solids flow behavior. Using a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) algorithm, we constructed a sum-of-sines model for the reactor kinematics based on accelerometer data. Accelerometer results and DEM simulations revealed the role of high-frequency excitations and need for backsliding and sticking avoidance in horizontal conveyors at low-g accelerations. From these observations, we propose a novel sawtooth excitation to enable convection of cohesive fine powders at low flow velocities. The model results were compared to data from an in-house continuous vibrating spatial particle ALD reactor.

Application of an atmospheric tracer ratio method to estimation of PM2.5 emission rates from wheat conveying operations at a wheat pile storage facility

ABSTRACT Particulate matter (PM) pollution is associated with adverse effects on human health and the environment. There is no designated PM2.5 emission factor for horizontal grain conveyors. Instead, in Washington state, the air permitting agency uses an emission factor for headhouse and grain handling operations to issue permits. There is concern that this factor does not accurately represent the conveyor operations and limits the size and operation of wheat pile facilities. The primary goal of this work was to estimate the PM2.5 emission rate (which can further be converted to an emission factor) from wheat conveying operations at a large wheat pile storage facility in eastern Washington using an atmospheric tracer ratio method, with CO2 gas as the tracer. The field study results yield an emission rate of 5.21.7 grams of PM2.5 per hour and these emissions are due to the transfer point from an upper belt to a lower belt. This rate is approximately 320 times lower than the emission rate for headhouse operations which has been used previously to represent conveyor operations. The emission rate was in relatively good agreement with results of an inverse Gaussian plume model calculation of emissions using measured ambient PM2.5 levels at a very short distance downwind of the transfer point. A consistent PM2.5 to tracer gas ratio over the tests showed that PM2.5 and CO2 disperse in a similar manner and confirmed that the CO2 tracer release was a reliable simulation of the PM2.5 pollutant source over distances involved in the study (less than 10 meters). The results also indicate a need for the Environmental Protection Agency to develop a designated PM2.5 emission factor for wheat conveyance. Implications There are presently no emission factors available for large wheat pile storage facilities where wheat is transferred via long horizontal conveyor belts. As a result, local and state permitting agencies use emission factors for other types of grain handling systems. In this paper, we report the first measurements of PM2.5 emission rates (that can further be converted to emission factors using a known grain rate on the conveyor) for horizontal grain conveyors used at wheat pile storage facilities. The measured emission rate is much less than the emission rate derived from the surrogate emission factor currently used for permit purposes. This has implications for the size and operation of wheat pile storage facilities.

Design and test of two-wheeled walking hemp harvester

Aiming at the planting characteristics of hemp in southern hilly regions, a two-wheeled walking hemp harvester suitable for harvesting hemp in southern hilly regions is studied and designed. The harvester mainly consists of a header frame, single-moving cutter, cutter mechanical transmission, stalk lifter and reel, stalk divider, stalk horizontal conveyor, wheeled chassis, motor, gearbox, etc. To improve the cutting performance of the two-wheeled walking hemp harvester, response surface tests of three levels are conducted for three factors influencing the operation quality, including the cutting speed, blade length, and forward speed, on the constructed hemp cutting test bench. Moreover, test results are analyzed with the response surface method, and multi-objective optimization is carried out for the regression mathematical model with Design-Expert software. Results show that when the cutting speed is 1.2 m/s, the blade length is 120 mm, forward speed is 0.6 m/s, the cutting efficiency is 38.92 stalks/s, the cutting power is 776.37 W and the failure rate is 6.24%. Trial production of sample machine and field trial are finished according to the optimized parameters and structural design scheme, and the test results reveal that the cutting rate can reach 92.5%, the rate of transmission can reach 86.7%, the productivity is 0.18 hm2/h, and all performance indexes can meet the design requirements. This research can provide references for resolving the mechanical harvesting of hemp. Keywords: hemp, harvester, structural design, parameter optimization, productivity DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20201301.5223 Citation: Huang J C, Shen C, Ji A M, Tian K P, Zhang B, Li X W, et al. Design and test of two-wheeled walking hemp harvester. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2020; 13(1): 127–137.

Granular flow through an aperture: Influence of obstacles near the outlet.

We study how the presence of obstacles in a confined system of monodisperse disks affects their discharge through an aperture. The disks are driven by a horizontal conveyor belt that moves at constant velocity. The mean packing fraction at the outlet decreases as the distance between the obstacles and the aperture decreases. The obstacles organize the dynamics of the stagnant zones in two characteristic behaviors that differ mainly in the magnitude of the fluctuations of the fraction of stagnant disks in the system. It is shown that the effective aperture is reduced by the presence of obstacles.

Structural Design and Mechanical Analysis of Horizontal Transport Device for Spacecraft Marine Transportation

As a large spacecraft used to transport up-going cargo and test load equipment to space, cargo spacecraft is an important means of space transportation for material transportation and replenishment of China’s space station in the future. The cargo spacecraft is the first large-scale spacecraft to be transported by sea in China. In this paper, a cargo horizontal conveyor is designed. The mechanical structure of the device is introduced, and the finite element analysis is carried out. The results show that the structure of the horizontal conveyor is reasonable, and its mechanical properties meet the requirements of use.

Design and test of two-wheeled walking hemp harvester

Aiming at the planting characteristics of hemp in southern hilly regions, a two-wheeled walking hemp harvester suitable for harvesting hemp in southern hilly regions is studied and designed. The harvester mainly consists of a header frame, single-moving cutter, cutter mechanical transmission, stalk lifter and reel, stalk divider, stalk horizontal conveyor, wheeled chassis, motor, gearbox, etc. To improve the cutting performance of the two-wheeled walking hemp harvester, response surface tests of three levels are conducted for three factors influencing the operation quality, including the cutting speed, blade length, and forward speed, on the constructed hemp cutting test bench. Moreover, test results are analyzed with the response surface method, and multi-objective optimization is carried out for the regression mathematical model with Design-Expert software. Results show that when the cutting speed is 1.2 m/s, the blade length is 120 mm, forward speed is 0.6 m/s, the cutting efficiency is 38.92 stalks/s, the cutting power is 776.37 W and the failure rate is 6.24%. Trial production of sample machine and field trial are finished according to the optimized parameters and structural design scheme, and the test results reveal that the cutting rate can reach 92.5%, the rate of transmission can reach 86.7%, the productivity is 0.18 hm2/h, and all performance indexes can meet the design requirements. This research can provide references for resolving the mechanical harvesting of hemp. Keywords: hemp, harvester, structural design, parameter optimization, productivity DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20201301.5223 Citation: Huang J C, Shen C, Ji A M, Tian K P, Zhang B, Li X W, et al. Design and test of two-wheeled walking hemp harvester. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2020; 13(1): 127–137.

Calculation of the resource of spiroid transmissions from wear in the step of loading mode

The analysis of the failure causes of the mechanisms and drives of lifting, construction, road machines on the basis of gearing gears, as well as gears of the worm class, which are contact destruction of the active surfaces of gear teeth, leading to malfunctions, breakdowns, failures in the form of wear and scuffing. A cyclogram describing the mode of operation of the gear pair, taking into account the effect of maximum load on the contact endurance and on the endurance of the teeth during bending, and which is used in strength calculations of spur and helical gears, is given. The necessity of creating a method for calculating the wear of spiroid gears based on the variable loading mode and load time taking into account the loading schedule analysis of mechanisms and drives of hoisting-and-transport machines and equipment where this type of gear is used, in particular, in the drive of stop valve mechanisms, in the drive of screw horizontal conveyor, the cable-assembly mechanism of the electric loader, in the drive of the traction winch of the packing crane UK-25/9-18 for tugging packages of rail track panel, is substantiated. The developed method makes it possible, taking into account the actual operation modes of hoisting-and-transport machines, equipment and mechanisms, by experimentally obtained dependence of the wear rate of the spiroid wheel teeth on the torque values on the output shaft of the spiroid gearbox, to determine the values of wear intensity and calculate the duration of the resource of the spiroid gearbox in accordance with the established schedule of variable mechanism loading for lifting, construction and road cars.

Calibration of parameters for DEM simulations of solar particle receivers by bulk experiments and surrogate functions

Bauxite particles known as proppants from the fracking industry are an emerging heat transfer medium for solar thermal power plants. The discrete element method (DEM) has just recently been applied to these systems and the information on parameters for contact force models is scarce; calibrated parameters cannot be found. In this work a novel, three-stage calibration approach based on multiple bulk experiments and surrogate functions is presented. The experiments comprise the angle of repose, the residence time on a horizontal conveyor and the impact on an inclined plate. Particle-particle and particle-wall parameters for the Hertz contact force model and the modified linear spring dash-pot rolling friction model are determined for five different proppants and two wall materials. The assumptions of the calibration procedure and the calibration results themselves are checked and discussed on the basis of a sensitivity analysis. It is shown that almost all parameters can be constricted to unique values by the approach and that most parameters only gradually differ between particle types. Additionally, the influence of coarse graining on the parameters is examined. The behavior of the restitution coefficients is explained in detail by kinetic gas theory. It is found that only the particle-wall restitution coefficient is invariant to coarse graining, but not the particle-particle restitution coefficient, which must decrease with coarse-graining factor.

The influence of belt cover thickness on conveyor belt indentation rolling resistance

Abstract One of the methods for lowering of energy consumption in the drive mechanisms of long horizontal belt conveyors is to reduce belt indentation rolling resistances. These resistances depend on a number of factors: bottom cover properties, bottom cover thickness, belt design, idler diameter, load, speed and frequency at which the belt passes on the idler (indentation frequency), as well as on temperature. Determining how these factors influence indentation rolling resistances of various conveyor belt types is of great importance. The article describes a small-scale method for testing indentation rolling resistance. The method allows analysis of the influence of various factors on indentation rolling resistances. The article presents the results of tests on how belt indentation rolling resistance is influenced by thickness of the belt bottom cover. The tests were performed on belts with various core types.