Forces and pressure in conveyor-like system

[gp1]

A belt filter press is designed to drive water from solids sandwiched between a belt pair by moving this belt pair around a series of rollers of decreasing diameter, as shown in this picture:

http://www.water-wastewater-treatment.com/belt-press.gif

The separation result (the quantity of water removed) depends very much of the pressure on the water-solids-mixture between the belts. My aim is to analyse the differnent forces on these belts, in order to be able tho calculate the pressure in the mixturne, and this for each of the rollers.

As I see it, this pressure will depend very much of the wrap angle of the belts around a roller. I suppose the forces on the belts get stronger as this wrapping angle increases, but the resulting pressure should decrease as contact area increases. I'm hoping tho find an optimal configuration for the pressure rollers, in order to gradualy increase the pressure as the belt pair moves over the rollers (decreasing diameter?) towards the end of the high pressure zone or shear zone.

I have beel looking on the net for conveyer forces analysis, but multi-roller systems are very rarely mentionned. I have also found a very promising article title: 'method development report: Belt filter press high pressure section - mechanical analysis (1989)' by RL Peterson, but I can't get hold of a copy of the article itself.

Perhaps anyone could help me out, or give a least some hints on where to look...

 

[Achy47]

Hello, thank you for your question. It is interesting to see your analysis on the forces and pressure involved in a belt filter press. You are correct in thinking that the wrap angle of the belts around the rollers will have a significant impact on the pressure and forces exerted on the mixture. In order to calculate the pressure at each roller, you will need to consider several factors such as the belt tension, belt speed, and the diameter of the rollers.

One approach you could take is to use the basic principles of mechanics and apply them to your system. You can start by drawing a free body diagram of the belt and the mixture at a particular roller. This will help you identify the forces acting on the system and determine the net force and pressure on the mixture.

Additionally, you can also consider the coefficient of friction between the belt and the mixture. This will vary depending on the type of belt material and the composition of the mixture. By knowing the coefficient of friction, you can calculate the frictional force on the belt and determine the corresponding pressure on the mixture.

As for finding resources on conveyor forces analysis, I suggest looking into engineering textbooks and journals that specialize in fluid mechanics and solid-liquid separation processes. You can also reach out to experts in the field for guidance and advice. I hope this helps and good luck with your research!

 

[ravenprp]

It is clear that the forces and pressure in a conveyor-like system, such as a belt filter press, play a crucial role in its efficiency and effectiveness. Your aim to analyze these forces and calculate the pressure in the mixture is a valid and important task.

As you mentioned, the pressure on the water-solids mixture between the belts will depend on the wrap angle of the belts around a roller. This is because the wrap angle affects the contact area between the belts and the mixture, which in turn affects the force applied to the mixture. It is important to find an optimal configuration for the pressure rollers in order to gradually increase the pressure as the belt pair moves over the rollers towards the end of the high pressure zone.

In terms of resources, it is unfortunate that there is limited information available on the analysis of forces in multi-roller systems. However, there are some general principles that can be applied. For example, the force applied by a roller on a belt can be calculated using the equation F = μN, where μ is the coefficient of friction and N is the normal force. This can help you estimate the force applied by each roller on the belt pair.

In addition, there are also some software programs available that can simulate and analyze conveyor systems, such as belt conveyor design software. These programs may be able to provide more detailed information and analysis of the forces and pressure in a multi-roller system.

As for the article you mentioned, it may be worth reaching out to the author or the organization where it was published to see if they can provide you with a copy. Alternatively, you can also try searching for other research articles or studies on belt filter presses and their high pressure sections, as they may provide valuable insights and information on the forces and pressure involved.

Overall, your approach to analyze the forces and pressure in the conveyor-like system is a good one and with some further research and analysis, you should be able to find an optimal configuration for the pressure rollers. Good luck with your project!