Air Supported Belt Conveyors

Basics

Applications for Sicon Belt Conveyors

Sicon conveyors are used in a number of applications, for different reasons. The following represents some of the more common reasons for using Sicon conveyors :-

i. Environmental reasons

The product is totally enclosed throughout the conveying route with the exception of the discharge point.
The return belt is 'closed' and thus even if the product conveyed is sticky, wet or dusty, no spillage can occur along the return route even if there is residual material on the belt.

There is no need to install transfer points. Each transfer point involves exposing the environment to air-borne dust, spillage, belt cleaning, etc. however, the Sicon is able to negotiate up to 180 degree bends and thus transfer points are eliminated.

The Sicon runs extremely quietly in the structure.

Loading stations employ very effective skirt plates and skirt rubber to seal the loading point chute work. In addition, de-dusting filters can be used to evacuate air-borne dust and the collected dust can be discharged back onto the Sicon belt without creating more dust.

Owing to the compact design of the conveyor and its supporting structure as well as its relatively low mass, the Sicon has a low visual impact on the environment and can be supported from existing structures or within existing conveyor or piping gantries. A number of different configurations can be considered and are discussed in the section "Design Considerations".

ii. Type of material transported

Materials of a high value for example Kimberlite containing diamonds, utilises Sicon conveyors for security reasons. The Sicon prevents visual observation of the product and direct contact with the material; eliminates transfer points where spillage would represent a significant potential loss.

Where materials are 'difficult' to handle owing to properties such as their stickiness i.e. difficult to clean the belt after discharge. The Sicon tends to 'flick' the material off of the belt at the discharge however, any residual material is re-circulated without causing spillage and the elimination of transfer points is a benefit.
Abrasive materials often wear the belt cleaning scrapers prematurely which results in spillage with the associated costs. Abrasive materials also impose high costs in for example, pneumatic conveying systems.

The Sicon does not make use of belt cleaners and there is no relative movement between belt and material.

iii. Layout

The Sicon conveyor is extremely flexible in terms of its layout.

Factors which make the Sicon an attractive alternative to other conveyors from a layout perspective include :-

• The ability to change from a horizontal belt line to an incline within the radius of one pulley i.e. 600 mm and 1000 mm radius for S100 and S1000 belts respectively.

• The facility to deflect the belt path to suit an existing building / equipment and not necessarily having to adapt structures to suit the Sicon.

• The small cross-sectional area and footprint which the Sicon requires.

• The ability to negotiate tortuous routes.

• The return belt route can be different to the carrying belt route.

• The same Sicon conveyor can be used to convey a number of different products to- and from a number of different locations simultaneously.

• Elimination of transfer points and transfer buildings.

• The ability to negotiate inclines greater than that of troughed or pipe conveyors.

iv. Duty

Sicon conveyors are suitable for applications where the following duty requirements can be accommodated :-