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FEATURE BELTS, PULLEYS & CHAINS
don’t waste energy by specifying the wrong belt material
Marcin Grzeszek, manager Industry Segment Recycling at
conveyor belt manufacturer Habasit, shares some advice for selecting the best belt material to help keep costs down and maximise efficiency in recycling applications
A
mid the global energy crisis, recycling facilities worldwide are facing soaring costs and energy consumption. In fact
we’re now at the point where recycling plant managers are starting to worry whether or not the recycling process is still beneficial for the environment. However, many of the challenges can be overcome by using the right belt material for the job.
RubbeR belts
Traditionally, rubber belts were the go-to choice for use in recycling applications. These offer high mechanical strength, cut resistance, and abrasion resistance. They are ideal for separating mixed waste, especially when materials like brick, concrete, glass, and steel are involved. However, rubber belts are slow to run
and extremely energy intensive compared to alternative materials because of their higher thickness and weight. For example, typical running speeds for a 3m wide rubber belt are 1-1.5m/s, whereas other materials can reach running speeds of 4-6m/s. Furthermore, because of their weight, larger
pulleys are required to drive rubber belts compared to similar sized belts made from lightweight materials. To add to the problem, the added tension on the pulleys increases the energy required to drive the belt and causes more wear and tear on the system, increasing ongoing maintenance costs. So, with all the challenges associated with
the recycling industry’s traditional belt material of choice, what are the alternatives?
AlteRnAtive mAteRiAls
Lightweight materials, such as Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), are increasing in popularity for applications like eddy current separators or general conveyors. PVC belts are much lighter than rubber belts and use less energy in operation. The lower energy required to operate the system and lighter conveyor build reduces ongoing operational costs and reduces the plant’s carbon footprint, something that is becoming a growing priority.
While not as durable as rubber, PVC belts are
ideal for transporting materials like plastic and paper where there is less mechanical strain put on the belt than when transporting heavier materials like brick and concrete. However, PVC does not work well if exposed to sunlight and very low temperatures, below -10˚C. Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) belts,
meanwhile, have the highest upfront costs out of the three materials, but a lower total cost of ownership. TPU belts are extremely lightweight, roughly half the weight of similarly sized rubber belts, facilitating faster, wider recycling lines. This results in TPU belts having lower ongoing energy and maintenance costs compared to rubber belts while having an increased throughput. Furthermore, TPU belts are extremely durable and have high abrasion and cut resistance, meaning they are well suited to work with most materials. However, TPU is not as resistant to extremely
hot water as PVC, meaning they are not well suited for applications involving a hot wash, such as the trommel separation of PET plastics where they are used to remove excess debris or labeling. By consulting with a knowledgeable conveyor
partner, such as Habasit, the best belt material for the job can be specified.
Habasit
www.habasit.com
“TPU belts have lower ongoing energy and maintenance costs compared to rubber belts while having an increased throughput”
4 DESIGN SOLUTIONS JUNE 2022 4
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