TITLE: APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PREDICTING JAMMING CRITERIA DURING FLOW OF SOLID BULK MATERIAL THROUGH TRANSFER CHUTE

FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to transfer chutes, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for predicting jamming criteria during flow of solid bulk material through transfer chutes made of liner material.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Transfer chutes are an integral part of a conveyor system and such systems are commonly used and relied upon in bulk material handling industry. Transfer chutes are used to convey solid bulk material such as ores, from one place to another. These transfer chutes are often made of liner materials. The liner materials vary, depending on the nature of the solid bulk material it is handling, impact properties and friction properties. Some liners make the flow of the bulk material easier; some provide huge resistance to the flow when the material flows on it. The resistance to the flow leads to jamming of bulk solids inside the chute. This causes huge downtime and often lead to production loss in manufacturing plants, which is undesirable. Accordingly, there is a requirement for an apparatus and method to determine slip angle and build up angle of the liner material to select the correct liner material for the transfer chute to minimize maintenance requirements and consequences. Further, the importance of considering slip angle and build up angle of the liner materials during designing the transfer chute can be useful in long term.
OBJECTIVE OF INVENTION
[0003] It is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus which can be used as a tool during designing any transfer chute especially handling cohesive and sticky bulk solid material.
[0004] It is an object of the invention to establish methodology which can determine the slip angle and build up angle of a solid bulk material – liner combination.
[0005] Another objective of the present invention to provide the apparatus and method which can predict the jamming criteria for a solid bulk material – liner combination.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0006] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to apparatus and method for predicting jamming criteria during flow of solid bulk material through a transfer chute having liner material. The concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0007] In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus, and a method for predicting jamming criteria during flow of solid bulk material through transfer chute having a liner material is provided.
[0008] In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises a hopper configured to store the solid bulk material. The apparatus also comprises a conveyor configured to transfer the solid bulk material discharged from the hopper. The apparatus further comprises a platform device having a rotating platform. The platform device also comprises a liner plate positioned on the rotating platform. The liner plate is configured to receive the solid bulk material from the conveyor. The rotating platform is configured to be rotated to determine an angle of slip and an angle of build-up of the solid bulk material on the liner plate.
[0009] In an embodiment, the platform device comprises a digital angle protractor positioned on the rotating platform. The digital angle protractor provides the angle of slip and the angle of build-up. The platform device also comprises a stand configured to secure the rotating platform. The platform device comprises a motor configured to rotate the rotating platform. The platform device further comprises a clamping mechanism configured to secure the liner plate to the rotating platform. The clamping mechanism prevents slipping of the liner plate from the rotating platform during rotation.
[0010] In an embodiment, a screw type conveyor provided at an end of the hopper is configured to discharge the solid bulk material from the hopper onto the conveyor.
[0011] In an embodiment, an electrical vibrator is attached to a wall of the hopper to avoid jamming.
[0012] In an embodiment, the conveyor is a belt type conveyor comprising a belt and at least one pulley including a discharge pulley driven by a motor, and a tail pulley.
[0013] In an embodiment, the liner plate is positioned below the discharge pulley. In an embodiment, the liner plate is positioned one meter below the discharge pulley.
[0014] In an embodiment, the rotating platform is configured to be rotated in a first direction “D1” and a second direction “D2”. In an embodiment, the first direction “D1” is clockwise direction and the second direction “D2” is anti-clockwise direction. In an embodiment, the first direction “D1” is anti-clockwise direction and the second direction “D2” is clockwise direction.
[0015] In an embodiment, the motor is rotatably coupled to a middle portion of the rotating platform.
[0016] In an embodiment, the method comprises discharging solid bulk material stored within a hopper onto the conveyor. The method also comprises transferring the solid bulk material onto a liner plate positioned on a rotating platform of a platform device by the conveyor. The method further comprises rotating the rotating platform via a motor to determine an angle of slip and an angle of build-up of the solid bulk material on the liner plate.
[0017] In an embodiment, the rotating platform is rotated in a first direction “D1” and a second direction “D2”.
[0018] In an embodiment, to determine the angle of build-up of the solid bulk material on the liner plate, the rotating platform is kept at a higher angle while the solid bulk material is transferred from the conveyor onto the rotating platform and is slowly rotated in the first direction “D1” and the angle at which the material starts to build up on the liner plate is recorded using a digital angle protractor.
[0019] In an embodiment, to determine the angle of slip of the solid bulk material on the liner plate, once the angle of build-up is determined, the rotating platform is rotated in the second direction “D2” and the angle at which the built up solid bulk material the liner plate completely slips away is recorded using the digital angle protractor.
[0020] In an embodiment, the first direction “D1” is clockwise direction and the second direction “D2” is anti-clockwise direction.
[0021] In an embodiment, the first direction “D1” is anti-clockwise direction and the second direction “D2” is clockwise direction.
[0022] In an embodiment, the angle of slip and the angle of build-up of the solid bulk material on the liner plate predict the jamming criteria for a solid bulk material and liner combination.
[0023] In an embodiment, the solid bulk material is selected from any one of iron ore fines, abrasive ores, coal, coke, lump ore, flux material etc.
[0024] In an embodiment, the liner material is selected from any one of UHMWPE, ARCOPLATE, HARDOX 500, CRUSER BRO, DIFFUSION, SHELL HARD etc.
[0025] Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] Figure 1 illustrates an apparatus to determine an angle of slip and an angle of build-up of a solid bulk material-liner material combination, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0027] Figure 2 illustrates view of a hopper and a screw type conveyor of the apparatus, according to the embodiment of the present invention;
[0028] Figure 3 illustrates view of a platform device of the apparatus, according to the embodiment of the present invention;
[0029] Figure 4 illustrates a method for predicting jamming criteria during flow of solid bulk material through transfer chutes made of liner material, according to the embodiment of the present invention; and
[0030] Figures 5a, 5b, and 5c illustrate views of the platform device during determination of angle of build-up and angle of slip, according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0031] The drawings referred to in this description are not to be understood as being drawn to scale except if specifically noted, and such drawings are only exemplary in nature.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0032] The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0033] It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0034] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
[0035] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
[0036] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0037] Referring to Figure 1, an exemplary apparatus (100) to determine an angle of slip and an angle of build-up of a solid bulk material-liner material combination is illustrated. The angle of slip and an angle of build-up are useful for predicting jamming criteria during flow of solid bulk material through transfer chute having a liner material. The apparatus (100) comprises a hopper (102), a conveyor (104), and a platform device (105). The hopper (102) is configured to store the solid bulk material. The solid bulk material is selected from any one of iron ore fines, abrasive ores, coal, coke, lump ore, flux material, or any materials that could be described as complex due to their variability in size, moisture content and material shape, without limiting the scope of the invention. In an example, an electrical vibrator (not shown) is attached to a wall of the hopper (102) to avoid jamming.
[0038] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the apparatus (100) comprises a screw type conveyor (114) provided at an end of the hopper (102). The screw type of conveyor (114) is configured to discharge the solid bulk material from the hopper (102) onto the conveyor (104). The screw type conveyor (114) comprises a spirally wound rotating shaft (142), a motor (144) rotatably coupled to the rotating shaft (142), and a housing (143) provided with an outlet (146) to facilitate discharge of the solid bulk material from the screw type conveyor (114). During operation, the motor (144) rotates the rotating shaft (142), which facilitates the movement of the solid bulk material through the screw type conveyor (114). The solid bulk material comes out through the outlet (146) of the screw type conveyor (114) and onto the conveyor (104).
[0039] The conveyor (104) is a belt type conveyor comprising a belt (120) and at least one pulley (122, 124) including a discharge pulley (122) driven by a motor (125), and a tail pulley (124). The conveyor (104) is positioned on a stand (121) made of frame members coupled to one another.
[0040] Referring to Figures 1 and 3, the apparatus (100) comprises the platform device (105) having a rotating platform (106), a clamping mechanism (131), a digital angle protractor (not shown), a stand (130), a motor (132) and a liner plate (108). The digital angle protractor is positioned on the rotating platform (106). The stand (130) is configured to secure the rotating platform (106). The motor (132) is configured to rotate the rotating platform (106). In the illustrated example, middle portion of the rotating platform (106) is secured to the stand (130) and the motor (132) is rotatably coupled to the middle portion of the rotating platform (106). In one example, the rotating platform (106) can rotate 90 degrees (i.e. from vertical position to horizontal position or vice versa).
[0041] The liner plate (108) (shown in Figure 3) is positioned on the rotating platform (106). More particularly, the clamping mechanism (131) (shown in Figure 1) is configured to secure the liner plate (108) to the rotating platform (106). The clamping mechanism (131) prevents slipping of the liner plate (108) from the rotating platform (106) during rotation. In the illustrated example, the liner plate (108) is secured at the center of the rotating platform (106) using clamping mechanism (131). Alternatively, the liner plate (108) may be secured at any location on the rotating platform (106), without limitations. The liner material is selected from any one of UHMWPE, ARCOPLATE, HARDOX 500, CRUSER BRO, DIFFUSION, SHELL HARD etc., without any limitations.
[0042] The liner plate (108) is configured to receive the solid bulk material from the conveyor (104). The liner plate (108) is positioned below the discharge pulley (122) such that the solid bulk material to be discharged from the conveyor (104) directly falls on the liner plate (108). In an embodiment, the liner plate (108) is positioned at least one meter below the discharge pulley (122). Minimum one meter is needed for a flow stream to fully develop before it touches the surface of the liner plate (108).
[0043] The rotating platform (106) is configured to be rotated to determine an angle of slip and an angle of build-up of the solid bulk material on the liner plate (108). The digital angle protractor provides the angle of slip and the angle of build-up. The rotating platform (106) is configured to be rotated in a first direction “D1” and a second direction “D2” to determine the angle of build-up and the angle of slip of the solid bulk material respectively. In the illustrated example, the first direction “D1” is clockwise direction and the second direction “D2” is anti-clockwise direction. In another example, the first direction “D1” may be anti-clockwise direction and the second direction “D2” may clockwise direction, without limiting the scope of the invention.
[0044] The screw type conveyor (114), the conveyor (104) and the rotating platform (106) may be operated using remote electrical switches. More particularly, the motor (144) coupled to the screw type conveyor (114), the motor (125) coupled to the discharge pulley (122) of the conveyor (104), and the motor (132) coupled to the rotating platform (106) are operated using remote electrical switches.
[0045] Referring to Figure 4, a method (200) for predicting jamming criteria during flow of solid bulk material through transfer chute having a liner material using the apparatus (100) is provided. The solid bulk material is selected from any one of iron ore fines, abrasive ores, coal, coke, lump ore, flux material etc. The liner material is selected from any one of UHMWPE, ARCOPLATE, HARDOX 500, CRUSER BRO, DIFFUSION, SHELL HARD etc.
[0046] At step (202), the method (200) comprises discharging solid bulk material stored within the hopper (102) onto the conveyor (104). The solid bulk material stored within the hopper (102) is discharged onto the belt (120) of the conveyor (104) via the screw type conveyor (114). At step (204), the method (200) comprises transferring the solid bulk material onto the liner plate (108) positioned on the rotating platform (106) of the platform device (105) by the conveyor (104). At step (206), the method (200) comprises rotating the rotating platform (106) via the motor (132) to determine an angle of build-up and an angle of slip of the solid bulk material on the liner plate (108).
[0047] Referring to Figures 5a, and 5b, the determination the angle of build-up of the solid bulk material on the liner plate (108) is illustrated. Initially the rotating platform (106) is kept at a higher angle (can be any angle greater than 75 degrees) while the solid bulk material is transferred from the conveyor (104) onto the rotating platform (106). The solid bulk material touches the liner plate (108) and slips away at higher angle of the rotating platform (106). Thereafter the rotating platform (106) is slowly rotated in the first direction “D1”, and the angle at which the material starts to build up on the liner plate (108) is recorded using a digital angle protractor as the angle of build-up. In the illustrated example, the first direction “D1” is clockwise direction. As soon as the build-up on the liner plate (108) starts the screw type conveyor (114) and the conveyor (104) are stopped.
[0048] Referring to Figures 5b, and 5c, the determination the angle of slip of the solid bulk material on the liner plate (108). After the angle of build-up is determined as described above, the rotating platform (106) is rotated in the second direction “D2” and the angle at which the built-up solid bulk material the liner plate (108) completely slips away is recorded using the digital angle protractor, as the angle of slip. The angle of slip and an angle of build-up are useful for predicting jamming criteria during flow of solid bulk material through transfer chute having a liner material.

EXAMPLES
[0049] Table 1 illustrates the angle of build-up and angle of slip of different liner material and solid bulk material combination determined using the apparatus (100) and following the method (200).
Moisture Liner Name Flow Material Build-Up Angle (deg.) Slip Angle (deg.)
0.5% UHMWPE Iron Ore Fines 36.5 38-42
9% UHMWPE Iron Ore Fines 49.8 51-54
13% ARCOPLATE Iron Ore Fines 40 45-55
TABLE. 1
[0050] The present invention relates to the apparatus (100) and method (200) for predicting jamming criteria during flow of solid bulk material through transfer chute having liner material. The disclosed apparatus (100) can be used as a tool during designing a transfer chute especially handling cohesive and sticky bulk material (can also be referred to as chute angle tester). The determined slip angle and build angle of the liner material facilitates in selecting the correct liner material for the transfer chute to minimize maintenance requirements and consequences.
[0051] In the above description, the solid bulk material such as iron ore fines, abrasive ores, coal, coke, lump ore, flux material and the liner material such as UHMWPE, ARCOPLATE, HARDOX 500, CRUSER BRO, DIFFUSION, SHELL HARD have been used for the sake of brevity. However, any solid bulk material and any liner material can be used, and the jamming criteria of any solid bulk material-liner material combination can be tested using the apparatus (100) and the method (200), without limiting the scope of the invention.
[0052] Furthermore, the terminology used herein is for describing embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. It will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into other systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may subsequently be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as encompassed by the following claims.
[0053] The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended, encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial equivalents of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein, including those that are presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise from applicants/patentees and others.
[0054] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

Claims:CLAIMS
We Claim:

1. An apparatus (100) for predicting jamming criteria during flow of solid bulk material through transfer chute having a liner material, wherein the apparatus (100) comprises:
a hopper (102) configured to store the solid bulk material;
a conveyor (104) configured to transfer the solid bulk material discharged from the hopper (102); and
a platform device (105) comprising:
a rotating platform (106);
a liner plate (108) positioned on the rotating platform (106), wherein the liner plate (108) is configured to receive the solid bulk material from the conveyor (104); and
wherein the rotating platform (106) is configured to be rotated to determine an angle of slip and an angle of build-up of the solid bulk material on the liner plate (108);
2. The apparatus (100) as claimed in the claim 1, wherein the platform device (105) comprises:
a digital angle protractor positioned on the rotating platform (106), wherein the digital angle protractor provides the angle of slip and the angle of build-up;
a stand (130) configured to secure the rotating platform (106);
a motor (132) configured to rotate the rotating platform (106); and
a clamping mechanism (131) configured to secure the liner plate (108) to the rotating platform (106), wherein the clamping mechanism (131) prevents slipping of the liner plate (108) from the rotating platform (106) during rotation.
3. The apparatus (100) as claimed in the claim 1, wherein a screw type conveyor (114) provided at an end of the hopper (102) is configured to discharge the solid bulk material from the hopper (102) onto the conveyor (104).
4. The apparatus (100) as claimed in the claims 1 and 3, wherein an electrical vibrator is attached to a wall of the hopper (102) to avoid jamming.
5. The apparatus (100) as claimed in the claim 2, wherein the conveyor (104) is a belt type conveyor comprising:
a belt (120); and
at least one pulley (122, 124) including a discharge pulley (122) driven by a motor (125), and a tail pulley (124).
6. The apparatus (100) as claimed in the claims 1 and 5, wherein the liner plate (108) is positioned below the discharge pulley (122).
7. The apparatus (100) as claimed in the claim 6, wherein the liner plate (108) is positioned one meter below the discharge pulley (122).
8. The apparatus (100) as claimed in the claim 1, wherein the rotating platform (106) is configured to be rotated in a first direction “D1” and a second direction “D2”.
9. The apparatus (100) as claimed in the claim 8, wherein the first direction “D1” is clockwise direction and the second direction “D2” is anti-clockwise direction.
10. The apparatus (100) as claimed in the claim 8, wherein the first direction “D1” is anti-clockwise direction and the second direction “D2” is clockwise direction.
11. The apparatus (100) as claimed in the claim 2, wherein the motor (132) is rotatably coupled to a middle portion of the rotating platform (106).
12. A method (200) for predicting jamming criteria during flow of solid bulk material through transfer chute having a liner material, the method (200) comprising:
discharging solid bulk material stored within a hopper (102) onto the conveyor (104);
transferring the solid bulk material onto a liner plate (108) positioned on a rotating platform (106) of a platform device (105) by the conveyor (104); and
rotating the rotating platform via a motor (132) to determine an angle of slip and an angle of build-up of the solid bulk material on the liner plate (108).
13. The method (200) as claimed in the claim 12, wherein the rotating platform (106) is rotated in a first direction “D1” and a second direction “D2”.
14. The method (200) as claimed in the claim 13, wherein to determine the angle of build-up of the solid bulk material on the liner plate (108), the rotating platform (106) is kept at a higher angle while the solid bulk material is transferred from the conveyor (104) onto the rotating platform (106) and is slowly rotated in the first direction “D1” and the angle at which the material starts to build up on the liner plate (108) is recorded using a digital angle protractor.
15. The method (200) as claimed in the claim 14, wherein to determine the angle of slip of the solid bulk material on the liner plate (108), once the angle of build-up is determined, the rotating platform (106) is rotated in the second direction “D2” and the angle at which the built-up solid bulk material the liner plate (108) completely slips away is recorded using the digital angle protractor.
16. The method (200) as claimed in the claims 14 and 15, wherein the first direction “D1” is clockwise direction and the second direction “D2” is anti-clockwise direction.
17. The method (200) as claimed in the claims 14 and 15, wherein the first direction “D1” is anti-clockwise direction and the second direction “D2” is clockwise direction.
18. The apparatus (100) and the method (200) as claimed in the claims 1 and 12, wherein the angle of slip and the angle of build-up of the solid bulk material on the liner plate (108) predict the jamming criteria for a solid bulk material and liner combination.
19. The apparatus (100) and the method (200) as claimed in the claims 1 to 18, wherein the solid bulk material is selected from any one of iron ore fines, abrasive ores, coal, coke, lump ore, flux material.
20. The apparatus (100) and the method (200) as claimed in the claims 1 to 19, wherein the liner material is selected from any one of UHMWPE, ARCOPLATE, HARDOX 500, CRUSER BRO, DIFFUSION, SHELL HARD.