Start-up and running loads exerted by bulk solids materials on extractive belt feeders

Different models for the correct sizing of feeder drives have been proposed over the years. Some of these models are rationally based while others are more rule-of-thumb. Experience of Jenike and Johanson, and likewise of The Wolfson Centre, in trouble-shooting feeder drives has shown that drive powers are often poorly matched to the load requirements, and that there is clearly some way to go towards establishing a universally-used reliable approach. This paper has been extracted from an on-going Masters project. It presents some early results from a program of work designed to measure loads on a belt feeder experimentally, and to compare these against some of the better known available models, and also against a full size installation. Of particular interest is that not only are the 'filling stress field' loads and the 'flowing stress field' loads measured, but loads during the transition from one condition to the other are also examined.