Materials handling equipment specialist BLT WORLD has partnered with German materials handling solutions provider ScrapeTec, to offer conveyor systems solutions for excessive dust in the African mining sector, and other industries.

BLT WORLD is the official distributor for ScrapeTec in Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands.

The AirScrape, TailScrape, DustScrape and SpeedScrape products were developed by ScrapeTec to provide dependable solutions that address specific problems, namely dust, spills and contamination, at the transfer points of conveyor systems, explains BLT WORLD MD Ken Mouritzen.

He notes that, while conventional dust prevention side-seals do reduce conveyor problems in the short term, they wear out quickly, owing to friction. The seals can also damage the belt of the conveyor over extended periods of use.

However, Mouritzen notes that ScrapeTec’s ‘robust’ systems, which he notes are virtually maintenance-free, extend the service life of conveyor belts and reduce the cleaning requirements of the entire system.

The contact-free AirScrape conveyor belt skirting system is an effective side-seal that lies above the belt, thereby eliminating skirt friction and belt damage and lengthening the service life of every conveyor component.

The AirScrape system comprises inward facing, hardened-steel diagonal blades and hovers 1 mm to 2 mm above the conveyor belt, on either the left or right side.

“This durable system consists of non-flammable and antistatic polyurethane materials and blades made from Hardox/stainless steel,” Mouritzen adds.

The blades deflect larger particles inwards, while using the inherent air-flow of the conveyor belt to create an inward suction, pulling any dust and fine particles back into the material flow. “Through these diagonally-fitted plates and the speed of the running belt, air is drawn inwards. As a result, neither the dust nor material can escape.”

He highlights that conventional skirtings are pressed against the conveyor belt to keep dust and material in the middle of the belt, but after a prolonged period, wear of the skirting and belt is so severe that material and dust escapes. As such, material spillage at transfer points needs to be regularly removed and frequent maintenance of belt skirting and transfer points is required.

However, a dust-free and contact-free side-sealing system circumvents this problem, as there is no skirt contact and therefore reduced belt wear. Mouritzen adds that not only is there minimal product loss but motor power requirements are reduced, as there is no belt-skirt friction.

Further, the TailScrape system enhances performance of the AirScrape, by sealing the transfer tail in the rear area and also works according to the Venturi-based pneumatic conveying concept. This concept uses a fan to create a vacuum effect by inducing airflow through a tapered or constricted section of pipe. As the forced air travels through this area, its velocity increases while its pressure decreases.

Mouritzen explains that sealing the transfer tail in the rear area and applying this concept helps to prevent dust generation and material spills.

The TailScrape system is available in small, medium and large designs and is suitable for all belt widths.

“TailScrape is mounted to the existing AirScrape system, so that it seals the transfer to the bend, preventing dust generation and material spillage, while also reducing the risk of an explosion.”

He comments that a metal sheet is used in the rear area of the transfer, matching the contour of the belt trough and installed about 20 mm from the belt. The TailScrape is often shortened to bridge the distance between the two AirScrapes and bent to fit the trough. The TailScrape is fixed and adjusted to the sheet by means of slotted holes and lifting elements, eliminating almost any gap and contact with the belt.

Moreover, for production areas with excessive dust, BLT WORLD recommends installation of the DustScrape, notes Mouritzen.

“This dust-emission prevention system comprises a filter cloth, support arches and skirts, as well as arms to hold the system above the belt and a rubber curtain to eliminate further dust generation – all sized to specific requirements.”

The energy-free DustScrape dust-emission prevention system complies with most new dust prevention guidelines and prevents health and safety issues on site. He adds that this system also minimises product loss, effectively preventing material from being blown into the surrounding environment.

Meanwhile, the SpeedScrape secondary belt cleaner’s design is based on the inclined and staggered positioning of Tungsten blades, thereby increasing the scraping surface to as much as 150% of the conveyor belt width. This high-performance system allows scraped material to be easily discharged.

The maintenance-free tensioner system adjusts the blade pressure to the conveying condition, ensuring blades are pressed onto the belt, with optimum pressure at all times during operation.

Mouritzen comments that low stress on the belt reduces damage and wear, and that one of the benefits is that the flexible scraping assembly is able to swivel into a lower position for reversible operation. Durable scraping blades are manufactured from a high-alloy and are designed to sharpen automatically, by scraping against the belt.

These advanced conveyor belt systems – which meet stringent quality, safety and environmental standards – are available directly from BLT WORLD.