Mining Belt Fire Initiation Simulation Using Electric Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing simulation devices for fire initiation in mining belt conveyors are complex, dangerous, and lack operability, making it difficult to accurately simulate the early fire initiation process, especially for flame-retardant belts, and require lengthy experimental cycles.
Innovation Solution
A simulation device and method using a workbench with a fixing and sliding belt clamp, heat source assemblies, traction assembly, high-speed camera, goose neck pipes, and multi-parameter sensor, along with infrared thermal imagers and a smoke exhaust system, to simulate the fire initiation process through electric heating, allowing for simpler operation and higher accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If friction between roller and belt sample is used to simulate fire initiation, then the simulation can be performed, but the device becomes complex in operation, high in danger, and weak in operability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical friction system (roller rubbing against belt) with an electrical heating system (heating elements embedded in the belt). This substitution eliminates the complex mechanical operation requirements while maintaining the ability to simulate fire initiation through controlled thermal energy application, directly resolving the contradiction between simulation reliability and operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces heat source assemblies as an intermediary between the experimental controller and the belt sample. These heating elements serve as a mediator that translates electrical control signals into thermal energy, enabling precise and safe simulation of fire initiation without requiring direct mechanical friction or high-risk operations
2Reliability
If friction between roller and belt sample is used to simulate fire initiation, then the simulation can be performed, but the experiment becomes long in cycle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic or controlled heating cycles through the heat source assemblies, allowing the experiment to progress through distinct thermal stages. This controlled periodic heating accelerates the fire initiation process by applying thermal energy in optimized intervals, significantly reducing the experimental cycle time while maintaining simulation accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of energy application from mechanical friction to electrical heating. This parameter change enables precise control over heat input rate and distribution, allowing the experiment to reach fire initiation conditions much faster than through friction alone, thereby reducing the experimental cycle time
3Reliability
If flame-retardant belt is used for simulation, then the simulation reflects real conditions, but fire initiation becomes extremely difficult and simulation experiment is long in cycle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating heating energy at specific locations within the belt sample through embedded heat source assemblies. This localized heating creates hot spots that can initiate combustion even in flame-retardant materials, while the rest of the belt maintains its fire-resistant properties. This approach makes fire initiation feasible in flame-retardant belts without compromising the simulation's representativeness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a controlled copying of fire initiation conditions by using heat source assemblies to replicate the thermal effects that would occur during actual fire events. This allows safe simulation of flame-retardant belt behavior under fire conditions without requiring actual fire exposure or extremely difficult-to-achieve friction conditions
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device simplifies the simulation process, enhances operability, and improves accuracy by using electric heating to replicate the fire initiation process, providing reference data for monitoring and preventing mine belt conveyor fires.
Implementation Method 1
the heat source assemblies are electrical components such as an electric heating wire or a thermal resistor that can convert electrical energy into thermal energy
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of infrared thermal imagers are uniformly arranged in a gap between each gas collecting pipe and the corresponding goose neck pipe
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a simulation device and method for an entire process of fire initiation of a mining belt. The simulation device includes: a workbench, a fixing belt clamp, a sliding belt clamp, heat source assemblies, a traction rope, a traction assembly, a high-speed camera, goose neck pipes, and a multi-parameter sensor. The simulation method includes: clamping a belt sample; selecting five monitoring points from the belt sample, and extending five goose neck pipes to the corresponding monitoring points; reckoning heat required for a heating and spontaneous combustion process of the belt sample, and reversely reckoning power supply parameters; sprinkling coal samples on the belt sample, switching on a power source of the heat source assemblies for heating the belt sample, and acquiring temperature, flue gas components and image data; and analyzing the data, and summarizing a temperature distribution rule of the belt sample and a gas generation rule.