Improved scraper system for conveyor belts in urban waste treatment plants

Abstract

An improved scraper system (1) for conveyor belts in municipal waste treatment plants, characterized in that it comprises a support body (2) configured to be fixed transversely to the structure of a conveyor belt, on which a cleaning scraper (3) made of an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) composition with additives and acetal copolymer is mounted.

Description

Improved scraper system for conveyor belts in urban waste treatment plants TECHNICAL SECTOR The present invention falls within the field of industrial transport systems, and in particular relates to cleaning devices or scrapers applied to conveyor belts intended for handling bulk materials. The invention is especially applicable in municipal solid waste management and treatment facilities, where conveyor belts are subjected to severe operating conditions that favor the accumulation of adhered materials. Likewise, the object of the invention can be implemented in other industrial plants that use conveyor belts in environments with high mechanical, chemical, or environmental demands. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In municipal solid waste treatment plants, conveyor belts are subjected to extremely demanding operating conditions, characterized by continuous abrasion, the presence of wet and heterogeneous materials, and a high level of adherent dirt. These conditions cause accelerated wear of the conveyor system components, especially the elements responsible for cleaning and guiding the belt. Conventional systems use scrapers of simple design or made of materials with limited wear, resulting in a short lifespan and requiring frequent corrective maintenance. The deterioration of these scrapers leads to poor cleaning of the conveyor belt, facilitating the accumulation of debris on the rollers and adjacent structures, which can cause materials to fall off the belt, create jams, and lead to unscheduled downtime. These incidents increase operational downtime, raise operating costs, and compromise both process efficiency and the safety and cleanliness of the facility. Furthermore, the accumulation of waste around the conveyor system poses environmental risks and reduces the overall availability of the transport system. EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION The invention proposes a conveyor belt scraper system optimized for operation under intensive working conditions, particularly in urban waste treatment facilities and other industrial plants subject to high levels of abrasion, humidity and accumulation of sticky materials. The scraper system of the invention is configured to significantly improve the cleaning efficiency of the conveyor belt surface, ensuring the continuous removal of debris and preventing its accumulation on the support rollers and side structures of the installation. To achieve this, it incorporates a design and a selection of materials that increase its mechanical strength and durability against wear, thus reducing the frequency of replacements and corrective maintenance interventions. Unlike metal scrapers or conventional cleaning systems, the scraper system of the present invention offers substantially superior performance, maintaining constant and uniform contact pressure on the belt without causing damage. This improvement results in more efficient cleaning, increased operational availability of the conveyor system, and a significant reduction in downtime. The scraper is manufactured from high-strength materials with a low coefficient of friction, specifically ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) with additives, combined with acetal copolymer. This composition gives the scraper high resistance to wear and abrasion, while also ensuring that it can be easily replaced when it reaches the end of its service life. Unlike traditional metal scrapers, which tend to damage the conveyor belt surface, the scraper of this invention is harmless to the belt, extending its lifespan and preventing costly repairs. Thanks to these features, maintenance hours are significantly reduced, as replacing the scraper requires neither extensive adjustments nor specialized labor. The scraper remains in optimal operating condition at all times, without becoming misaligned during operation, ensuring continuous and efficient cleaning of the conveyor belt. Additionally, the system of the invention has been tested under real operating conditions in recycling and waste treatment plants, accumulating a high number of operating hours. The results obtained confirm its highly satisfactory performance, verifying its ability to maintain constant output, reduce operating costs, and increase the reliability of the transport system in demanding industrial environments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the scraper system. Fig. 2 shows another perspective view of the scraper system. Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a scraper. Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a central support made of natural PolyOxyMethylene Copolymer (POM C). Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of some side supports made of natural PolyoxyMethylene Copolymer (POM C). Fig. 6 shows different views of the scraper system of the invention. Fig. 7 shows different views of a scraper of the scraper system of the invention. Fig. 8 shows different views of a central support of the scraper system of the invention. Fig. 9 shows different views of some side supports of the scraper system of the invention. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION In a preferred embodiment, the conveyor belt scraper system (1) comprises a support body (2) fixed transversely to the conveyor structure, on which at least one cleaning scraper (3) is mounted. The support body (2) comprises a central support (21) and lateral supports (22). The scraper (3) is made of a high-strength polymeric material, specifically ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) with additives, combined with acetal copolymer. This composition provides it with high abrasion resistance, a low coefficient of friction, and remarkable durability under severe operating conditions. Unlike traditional metal scrapers, the scraper (3) of the present invention does not damage the surface of the conveyor belt, maintaining its integrity and extending its service life. The modular design of the scraper system (1) allows for independent replacement of the scraper (3) without the need to disassemble the entire assembly or perform complex adjustments. This results in a substantial reduction in maintenance hours and eliminates the need for highly specialized labor, thereby lowering operating costs. The mounting system ensures constant and uniform contact between the scraper (3) and the conveyor belt surface, preventing misalignment during operation and ensuring continuous and effective cleaning even in the presence of wet, abrasive or difficult-to-remove materials. Under real operating conditions, particularly in recycling and municipal solid waste treatment plants, the scraper system (1) of the invention has demonstrated highly satisfactory performance, accumulating a high number of operating hours without significant incidents. During these tests, improvements in belt cleaning, a reduction in unscheduled downtime, and an increase in the overall efficiency of the conveyor system were verified compared to metal scrapers or conventional systems. Thus, the preferred embodiment of the invention provides a technical solution that combines durability, ease of maintenance, protection of the conveyor belt, and improved operational efficiency of the system.

Claims

1. An improved scraper system (1) for conveyor belts in municipal waste treatment plants, characterized in that it comprises a support body (2) configured to be fixed transversely to the structure of a conveyor belt, on which a cleaning scraper (3) made of an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) composition with additives and acetal copolymer is mounted.

2. An improved scraper system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the scraper (3) is independently replaceable without the need to disassemble the entire scraper system (1).