Ore Moisture Reduction on Conveyor Belts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for reducing ore moisture content prior to shipping, such as those using rotary kilns or other drying equipment, are costly in terms of installation, operation, and maintenance, and are not efficient for ores, as they do not effectively remove moisture from the air used in the process, leading to high energy consumption and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A process involving a closed environment where atmospheric moisture is removed through condensation using an evaporator unit, followed by heating the dry air and insufflating it into the ore-containing environment on conveyor belts or transfer chutes, utilizing a combination of evaporator, heating, and ventilation units, along with measuring devices and automated controllers to optimize the moisture reduction process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional drying equipment (rotary kilns) is used to reduce ore moisture, then moisture reduction is achieved, but installation cost, operation cost, and maintenance cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential drying function from complex rotary kiln equipment and implements it through a simplified system using conventional conveyor belts with added drying panels and air circulation components. This separates the core moisture removal capability from the cumbersome equipment structure, achieving moisture reduction without the high complexity and cost of traditional drying equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention makes conventional conveyor belts multi-functional by adding drying panels to their undersides, enabling them to perform both material transport and moisture reduction simultaneously. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated drying equipment, reducing overall system complexity and cost while maintaining drying effectiveness.
2Quantity of substance
If rotary kilns are installed in series with transport equipment, then moisture reduction is achieved, but layout changes and production interruptions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the drying function directly into the existing conveyor belt system by attaching drying panels to the belt underside. This integration allows moisture reduction to occur during normal transport operations without requiring separate drying equipment or series installation, thereby maintaining continuous production and avoiding layout changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The drying panels are pre-installed on conventional conveyor belts before they are put into service in the transportation line. This preliminary preparation allows the belts to immediately perform dual functions of transport and drying upon installation, avoiding production interruptions and the need for subsequent equipment modifications.
3Quantity of substance
If drying equipment is installed to reduce ore moisture, then TML compliance is achieved, but energy consumption and operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables the conveyor belt system to perform drying using its own operational characteristics - the belt movement creates natural air circulation underneath, and the drying panels facilitate moisture evaporation without requiring separate high-energy drying equipment. The system uses the existing transport motion to drive the drying process, significantly reducing external energy requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the drying approach from high-temperature intensive drying in rotary kilns to low-temperature evaporation using ambient air circulation. By modifying the drying parameters (lower temperature, longer exposure time, continuous air flow), the system achieves effective moisture reduction with much lower energy consumption suitable for integrated conveyor operations.
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
This approach reduces ore moisture efficiently and cost-effectively, achieving significant moisture reduction (0.5-2.0 percentage points) with lower energy consumption compared to traditional methods, while ensuring safety by preventing liquefaction and adhering to transport standards, as demonstrated by experimental results on iron ore.
Implementation Method 1
atmospheric moisture is removed through condensation using an evaporator unit
Implementation Method 2
followed by heating the dry air
Implementation Method 3
insufflating it into the ore-containing environment
Implementation Method 4
insufflating it into the ore-containing environment on conveyor belts or transfer chutes, utilizing a combination of evaporator, heating, and ventilation units
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A process for ore moisture removal (2) by exposure of the ore (2) to a hot and dry air stream is described. !t is also described a conveyor belt (13) and a transfer chute (3) adapted exclusively for the use of the above process. Among other objectives, the process has the function of reducing moisture in ores (2) prior to the shipping stage of this material.