Minimization of specific energy of a belt conveyor drive system using space vector modulated direct torque control

Abstract

The main aim of this paper is to model and minimize the specific energy of belt conveyor drive system under different operating conditions such as different loading conditions, different conveyor inclinations, different conveying lengths and lifts, and different capacities using a real time fabricated experimental setup. Further, it demonstrates the advantages of using a variable speed drives (VSDs) for energy savings. Conveyors are designed for transporting goods, ores, minerals, and other such products with maximum rated capacities for any operating sections. But, they operate at a relatively much lower capacity. This is due to the supply and demand side implications of the operating section, they will run at the same constant rated speed causing higher power losses. This behavior will highly degrades the energy efficiency of conveyor. In the present study, an attempt is made to improve the energy efficiency of the conveyor by minimizing the per unit energy consumption using the methodology having combined advantages of energy efficiency modeling with less friction coefficient as per DIN 22101 and superior speed control technique for conveyor kind of high torque loads called space vector based direct torque control. In this paper, specific energies are estimated for the same belt conveyor system, found that with the use of VSDs, specific energies are reduced an amount 10-12% depending upon the capacities at which they have run. BEIESP.