Analysis of the Bulk Coal Transport State of a Scraper Conveyor Using the Discrete Element Method

Abstract

As the main transport equipment for fully mechanized coal caving, a scraper conveyor is not only the coal transport machine but also the moving pivot of the hydraulic support and the orbit of the shearers. The rationale behind the design of the scraper conveyor and its reliability directly affect the production efficiency of a fully mechanized coal mining system [1] and [2]. Current research on scraper conveyors mainly focuses on how to improve their power, capacity, life, safety and applicability in various working conditions. Significant attention has been paid to the structure and function of the scraper conveyor itself [3] to [6]. Few studies have focused on the material characteristics during the transport stage and the interaction between bulk coal and the scraper conveyor, and even fewer studies have provided a precise relationship between the transport of bulk coal and the running conditions of the scraper conveyor. This lack of research inevitably leads to deviations in safety, reliability and transport efficiency that affect the entire material transport process.Three-dimensional optimization, simulation and dynamic design have become important techniques in modern mechanical design with the rapid development of computer technology and modern design methods[7] to [9]. Previous studies have mainly used finite element methods (FEMs) for the design and analysis of scraper conveyors. The bulk coal in the chute is represented using either a continuum model or directly added force on the chute, and then, the mechanics are established using the FEM. Optimization methods are applied after simulation and analysis using FEM [10] to [13]. A systems analysis, including mechanical analysis of the shearer and chute, was conducted by Chen et al. [14] to study the stress conditions of the chute; the maximum stress was obtained using ANSYS, a software package based on an FEM. Ren and Chen [15] studied the rack rail of a scraper conveyor using ANSYS, and their conclusions provided a theoretical basis for the optimal structural design of the rack rail.Particles of granular matter interact with themselves and with the machine [16]; thus, it is difficult to obtain meaningful results using traditional continuum mechanics methods, such as FEM. Therefore, the discrete element method (DEM) was introduced to better study the internal and external interaction mechanics of materials and to obtain reliable results. The DEM is a numerical method that was proposed by Cundall and Strack [17] and Cundall [18] and is based on the principles of molecular dynamics. The method was first used Analysis of the Bulk Coal Transport State of a Scraper Conveyor Using the Discrete Element MethodWang, X -Li, B.

Improving energy efficiency of coal transportation by adjusting the speeds of a combine and a mine face conveyor

“…The operation of a mine scraper conveyor has a significant impact on energy consumption indicators at a mine. The authors of [8], based on the results of modeling, derived a quadratic dependence for the performance of a scraper conveyor on the coefficient of cargo friction against a pan line. Due to the redistribution of cargo motion speeds at various points of the flow's cross-section, the best performance was demonstrated by a coal face scraper conveyor when the static coefficient of cargo friction reached 0.4.…”

Response Analysis of a Scraper Conveyor under Chain Faults Based on MBD-DEM-FEM

“…Considering the discrete characteristics of bulk coal [11], DEM has been applied to research the transport state of scraper conveyors [6] and [12] and the failure of key parts [13] and [14]. Researchers have improved the reliability of simulation by modifying parameters [15] and [16] and coupling simulation.…”

Measurement of Amount for Steel Abrasive Material Transported by Special Scraper Conveyor

“…Research of problems concerning the gathering floor conveyors is presented in many scientific works [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]. Chunzhi and Guoying [5] realized dynamic modeling of a scraper conveyor sprocket transmission system and simulation analysis.…”

“…Lu et al [14] presented the simulation method of speed control, which is based on the load characteristic of the permanent magnet direct-driven system determined for mining scraper conveyors using MATLAB/Simulink module. Wang et al [15] analyzed the particle size and velocity distributions of bulk coal by the discrete element method. They also studied the influence of the transport velocity, coefficient of static friction between particles and mass flow rate.…”