TITLE
ABSTRACT
Driven by constantly increasing energy demands, prices, environmental impact caused by carbon dioxide emissions and global warming, efficient use of energy is gaining grounds in both public and private enterprises. The energy consumption of belt conveyors can be lowered using energy modelling techniques. In this research, a resistance-based mathematical energy model was utilised in the electrical energy efficiency optimisation of the troughed, inclined belt conveyor system taking into account indentation rolling resistance, bulk solid flexure resistance and secondary resistance as they together contribute 89% resistance to motion. An optimisation problem was formulated to optimise the electrical energy efficiency of the belt conveyor system and subsequently solved using the “fmincon” solver and interior point algorithm of the MATLAB optimisation toolbox. Verification results of the utilised model showed that it performed quite better as compared to the more recent analytical energy model for long belt conveyors. Analysis of simulation results showed that for the same given operating capacities, an average energy saving of about 7.42% and an annual total cost savings of Gh¢ 5, 852, 669.00 (USD 1, 083, 827.59) for a 2592-hour operation can be achieved when the used model and optimisation technique are employed over the constant speed operation.
KEYWORDS
Belt conveyor system; Energy model; Optimising energy efficiency; Modelling; Simulation
Cite this paper
Awingot Richard Akparibo, Erwin Normanyo. (2019) Application of Resistance Energy Model to Optimising Electric Power Consumption of a Belt Conveyor System. International Journal of Power Systems, 4, 97-108
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