Practical Belt Conveying Part I, Chapter 5 Page 1 of 6, Rev.2 CHAPTER 5 BURDEN EDGE DISTANCE TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION STANDARD BURDEN EDGE DISTANCE VALUES LUMP SIZE LIMITATIONS SPILLAGE AT THE DISCHARGE PULLEY HORIZONTAL CURVE LIMITATIONS CopyrightPractical Belt Conveying Part 1, Chapter 5 Page 2 of 6, Rev.2 5. BL 52 BURDEN EDGE DISTANCE INTRODUCTION The distance from the edge of the belt to the edge of the material burden is referred toas the burden edge distance. This edge distance is required fundamentally 10 minimise material spillage caused by one or more of the following factors: Belt drift Off-centre loading ‘* Minor variations in the burden properties such as moisture content or bulk density * Slumping of the material as the belt flattens out at the discharge pulley STANDARD BURDEN EDGE DISTANCE VALUES Formulae for standard burden edge distances are given in many publi including ISO 5048, DIN 22 101, BS 2890, CEMA and the Prok idler viz PROK x= 0.055 w+20mm a fo (8009 a FR CEMA x 0.055 w +23 mm BS 2890 x = 0.05 w+25 mm ISO 5048 forws2000mm =—- x= 0.05 w +25 mm for w > 2000 mm 25 mm DIN 22101 identical to ISO 5048 Where: x = burden edge distance mm w= belt width mm ‘The recommended burden edge distance values obtained from these five sources are within 6% of each other up to a belt width of 2000 mm, where the ISO/DIN constant value of 125 mm commences. One of these methods should be adopted and included in the criteria for a conveyor design project. The ISO/DIN method i: considered to be a sensible approach and is recommended. These values should be considered as minimum values which may have to be increased to suit the following possible constraints:- © Maximum lump size © Spillage at the discharge pulley * Horizontal curve requirements CopyrightPractical Belt Conveying Part 1, Chapter S Page 3 of 6, Rev,2 53 The following table shows these standard burden edge distance values for belt widths between 600 mm and 2500 mm. ‘The belt widths in bold type are the ISO preferred widths Belt width Burden edge distance mm mm PROK CEMA BS. ISO/DIN 600 53 36 055) 55 | 650 56 59 58 58 750 61 64 63 63 800 64 o7 65 65 900 70 3 70 7 | 1000 75 78 75 75 | _ 1050 B 8I B 78 1200 36 89 85 85 1350 94 97 F<] 3 1400 oF 100 a 1500 103 106 100 100 1600 108 uit 105 105 | 1800 i) 122) 15) 115) 2000 130 133, 125 125 2200 141 144 135 125 2400 152 155 145 125 2500 158 161 150. 125 LUMP SIZE LIMITATIONS In order to minimise the risk of lumps falling off the conveyor belt (see Photo Sa) it recommended that where the anticipated lump size exceeds the standard burden edge distance, the edge distance value should be increased by at least 50% Itis a good idea to draw the conveyor cross section and to superimpose the shape of the largest lump at the edge of the material burden profile. This drawing will give an indication of the potential for lump spillage problems. An allowance for belt drift equal to 5% of the belt width should be included in this assessment. Photo Sa Crushed rock on an overfilled conveyor CopyrightPractical Belt Conveying Part I, Chapter 5 Page 4 of 6, Rev.2 54 SPILLAGE AT THE DISCHARGE PULLEY. As the belt changes from troughed to flat form at the discharge pulley there is a tendency for some of the conveyed material to slump and run towards the edge of the belt (see Fig.5-2). y~ POSSIBILITY OF SLUMPING AND SPILLAGE Fig.5-1 Figs-2 ‘Troughed belt burden profile Burden profile at head pulley With reference to Figs.5-1 and 5-2 it can be seen that the angle of the material at the edge of the flat belt will be the sum of the surcharge angle and the troughing angle, The ability of the material to retain this steep angle will depend on its physical properties and moisture content. The potential for spillage is obviously greater with higher troughing angles. The potential for spillage at the discharge pulley is also greater with three roll idlers than four roll idlers. Photo 5b shows the head end of a conveyor transporting fine iron ore on a 1500 mm wide belt. This moist material has cracked open as the wing rollers have been flattened out but it has remained stable at the edge. Photo Se shows clean, sized ore at the head end of a conveyor. This material has slumped but due to the generous burden edge distance, spillage is not occurring. If this belt was fully loaded, some spillage could be expected. Photo Sd shows a conveyor handling crushed rock where it has been necessary to fit hungry boards to the transition zone to prevent material spillage. These hungry boards ccan be a potential source of belt damage and are not generally recommended. If steep troughing angles (45° or greater) are being contemplated, observation of the behaviour of a similar material at the discharge pulley of an existing conveyor is strongly recommended. Alternatively, a simple test rig that represents a section of troughed belt can be used to measure the material stability when the belt is flattened out. The test rig can be constructed from plywood and should have hinged wing panels that can be lowered. Ideally the test rig should be vibrated to consolidate the burden before the wing panels are lowered. It should be noted that if an increase in the burden edge distance is considered necessary to prevent spillage at the discharge pulley, this increase in the burden edge distance will probably negate any advantage of using a steep troughing angle. CopyrightPractical Belt Conveying Patt I, Chapter 5 Page 5 of 6, Rev.2 Photo 5b Fine moist iron ore Photo 5c Clean sized iron ore Photo 5d Hungry boards used to prevent spillage CopyrightPractical Belt Conveying Part 1, Chapter 5 55 Page 6 of 6, Rev.2 HORIZONTAL CURVE LIMITATIONS Due to the possibility of material migration while the troughed belt is banked in a horizontal curve, it is sometimes necessary to increase the burden edge di reduce the risk of material spillage. ince to Copyright