AP Singh, Executive Director, Continental Conveyors, discusses the role of conveyor belts in material transportation.

What is the role of the conveyor belt in the transportation of material for cement manufacturing?
The main role of conveyor belts in the cement manufacturing process is transportation of material. From transportation of raw materials to the loading of end products into the trucks, all materials are transported by conveyor belts only.

What are the grades of conveyor belt materials that you have and supply to cement plants?
There are many grades for the conveyor belt materials. The first one is the M-24 grade, which is widely used. These are general UT Belts. The second one is Super Heat Resistant (SHR) grade, which are heat resistant belts. The third kind or grade of material is Ultra Heat Resistant (UHR) material, which can resist heat up to 220OC to 250OC.
We also have belts made of chevron material, also known as wavy belts, that are used for loading bags of cement in the trucks during despatch.

How are the above mentioned belts used for different functions at a cement plant?
Basically, the basic concept is the same but the application is different. Any normal belt can sustain up to 70oC temperature. The SHR belts can sustain up to 150oC temperature of the material being transported, while, the UHR belts can sustain up to 220oC to 250oC. This kind of belt is usually used to transport clinker, which has a very high temperature.
Likewise, the function of the chevron belts and wavy top belts is to create an anti-slippage surface for smooth loading of bags of cementin trucks.
We design conveyor belts according to customer’s requirements.

Tell us about the quality standards maintained for the conveyor belts. How often do they need change for maintenance?
We have a process of quality checking for every belt that is manufactured at our end. The key to maintaining quality is inspection of every belt that is despatched from our company. Our
in-house laboratory helps us keep a check on quality maintenance.
Maintenance of the belts or requirement of change differs from plant to plant. If the establishment is good and follows all protocol, the requirement for changing the belts is less frequent. If the maintenance of systems and processes are not good, then the requirement of changing or getting maintenance done for the belts is high as they are made of softer materials and may be classified as one of the weakest materials in the cement plants.

What is the impact of the conveyor belts on the efficiency of cement plants?
With a properly maintained conveyor belt system and process following, our belts are likely to give the best efficiency to plants by performing their function with the right speed and accuracy.

Which are the most challenging installations and wear and tear points in a cement plant?
In mine areas, when raw material i.e., limestone or coal is transported, the lump sizes are large and have sharp edges which may lead to high wear and tear of the belts. Secondly, it is the hot clinker, which causes the most wear and tear of the belts.

Tell us about the changes and innovations happening that the cement industry can look forward to?
At Continental Conveyors, we are involved in regular research and development to make more material grades for belts based on the various applications and requirements of cement manufacturers.

–Kanika Mathur