MARTIN ENGINEERING

Innovative technology eliminates carryback on cement grinding conveyor

All Martin Engineering

1 Conveyors transporting bulk materials have different entry points into the plant

All Martin Engineering

2 River barges dock several times a day to drop off raw materials

3 Limestone and other raw material is taken from trucks and barges, and stored in outdoor piles

4 Even though conveyors are covered, the cargo still absorbs moisture

5 Raw materials are processed into the final product

6 The prior blade got encrusted with material, degrading performance and accumulating build-up

7 Mounted diagonally, commonly at a 17º angle, the CleanScrape spans the entire belt profile

8 The increased flow of material cleared from the belt required a vibrating dribble chute to be installed

In the face of this issue, a cement grinding facility in the Carbon Works neighborhood of Detroit discovered a way to virtually eliminate the issue of tacky carryback on one of the plant’s raw material transport conveyors.

1 Introduction

The problem of carryback clinging to the return side of conveyor belts is an ongoing battle for many industries that depend on efficient bulk handling. Carryback and subsequent accumulation interfere with plant operations and expose personnel to unnecessary safety risks while cleaning up the material in close proximity to a moving conveyor. Fugitive material also represents a loss of usable product, which is particularly expensive if it has undergone any level of processing before the spill points.

Carryback can also lead to spillage along the entire conveying system and foul...