Optimal utilization of the bulk material transportation system based on speed controlled drives

The main demand for construction of new belt conveyors in open pit mines (OPM) is the increase of safety and system capacity, minimization of personal, reduction of maintenance cost, consumed energy, etc. The paper presents the algorithm for speed control of the system of belt conveyors, in terms of improved system efficiency. The algorithm is based on the principle of optimum utilization of the available material cross section on the belt. The algorithm is developed and tested on the detailed mathematical model of the drive system with the rubber belt, transporting variable capacity of the bulk material, measured at the input of the system. The simulation results are verified through performed measurements of characteristic values, which best illustrates the response of the system to the applied control strategy in the control center of the belt conveyor system with remote control.