Vous êtes sur la page 1sur 8

Full Paper

Chute Performance and Design for Rapid Flow Conditions


By Alan W. Roberts*

Many industrial chute applications are characterised by rapid flow conditions in which the bulk solid stream thickness or depth is
less than the chute width. Under these conditions, it is possible to describe the stream flow by means of a lumped parameter
model which takes into account the frictional drag around the chute boundaries as well as making allowance for inter-particle
friction. Equations of motion to describe the chute flow are presented and their application to the determination of chute profiles
to achieve optimum flow is illustrated. By means of design examples, the problems associated with the feeding of bulk solids onto
belt conveyors and conveyor transfers are discussed. Criteria for the selection of the most appropriate chute geometry to
minimise chute wear and belt wear at the feed point are presented. The determination of optimum chute profiles to achieve
specified performance criteria is outlined.

1 Introduction vb Curved
Impact
Plate
Chutes used in bulk handling operations perform a variety
of operations. For instance, accelerating chutes are employed
Dribble Rc1
to feed bulk materials from slow moving belt or apron feeders Chute Gate
onto conveyor belts as illustrated in Fig. 1. In such installations
the feeder speed is normally limited to about 0.3 m/s, whereas Rc2
the conveyor speed may be 5 m/s or higher. In other cases, vd
transfer chutes are employed to direct the flow of bulk
vey vb
material from one conveyor belt to one or more conveyors,
often via a three dimensional path. An example of such a vex ve
transfer chute is shown in Fig. 2. In this case the discharge from
the delivering conveyor is split and directed onto either of two Figure 2. Feeding onto a belt conveyor.
receiving conveyors which are at 90 to the delivering
conveyor as shown. The purpose of the dribble chute is to The majority of industrial chute applications, such as those
collect and transfer the cohesive carry-back material from the described above, involve rapid or accelerated flow conditions.
belt cleaning system. Such conditions are characterised by thin' stream flow in
which the thickness or depth of the flowing stream of bulk
material remains less than the width of the chute. Very often
the thickness is less than half the stream width. Under these
conditions, it is possible to describe the stream flow by means
of a lumped parameter model which takes takes into account
the frictional drag around the chute boundaries as well as
Vf
Feeder making allowance for inter-particle friction [1,2].
The importance of correct chute design to ensure efficient
h transfer of bulk solids without spillage and blockages and with
y minimum chute and belt wear cannot be too strongly
HT
R emphasised. The importance is accentuated with the trend
towards higher conveying speeds. The purpose of this paper is

Vey
Conveyor to present an overview of the basic principles of chute design
Vo
x
V Vb with particular regard to feeding and transfer in belt
conveying operations as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.
o
Vex Ve

Figure 1. Feeding onto a belt conveyor.


2 Chute Flow Model

Studies performed by Roberts [1] showed that under thin


stream accelerated flow through chutes, approximately 82 %

of the energy losses are attributed to the bulk material sliding


[*] A. W. Roberts, Centre for Bulk Solids and Particulate Technologies, The along the chute bottom, about 9 % of the losses being due to
University of Newcastle, NSW., 2308, Australia. sliding against the side walls, with the remaining 9 % due to

Chem. Eng. Technol. 26 (2003) 2, 2003 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim 0930-7516/03/0202-0163$$17.50+.50/0
0930-7516/03/0202-00163 17.50+.50/0 163
Full Paper

inter granular friction. Under these conditions the motion can The equivalent friction for chutes of circular cross-section
be described by a lumped parameter model as shown in Fig. 3. has been analysed by Roberts and Scott [2] and by Parbery and
The basic theory is now reviewed. Roberts [3]. It has been shown that le can be expressed by the
. power series
m v Ho Ao B
"n"   2 
H H
"y" le = l 1 + a1 a2 ::: (3)
B B
vo R H
FD where a1 = 0.4, a2 = 0.2057.
FN v Rectangular Cross
Section
2 m H A For shallow bed conditions, the higher order terms may be
m v B
R
Velocity
neglected so that the remaining linear relationship becomes
Profile identical to Eq. (2)
v
H
.
m g v
Circular Cross
"x" "s" Section 2.2 Equivalent Friction for Chutes of Varying Width
Figure 3. Chute flow model.
In some cases, it is necessary to converge the flow, as
illustrated in Fig. 4. In this case, the equivalent friction is given by
    
H tank
2.1 Equivalent Friction for Chutes of Constant Width le = l 1 + Kv (1 + (4)
Bo 2 s tan k l

The drag force FD due to Coulomb friction is expressed by1)

FD = le FN (1) 2.3 Continuity of Flow

where FN = normal force and le = equivalent friction factor For continuity of flow,
which takes into account the friction coefficient between the
bulk solid and the chute surface, the stream cross-section and r A v = Constant (5)
the internal shear of the bulk solid. For a chute of rectangular
cross-section, le is approximated by where r = bulk density
  A = cross-sectional area of flowing stream
H
le = l 1 + Kv (2)
B
where l = actual friction coefficient for bulk solid in contact 2.4 Equations of Motion
with chute surface
Kv = pressure ratio, normally Kv = 0.4 to 0.6 Referring to the chute model shown in Fig. 3 and analysing
H = depth of flowing stream at a particular location the dynamic equilibrium conditions, the following differential
B = width of chute equations for the stream velocity may be derived:
Moving Coordinates, Tangential s and Normal n Compo-
B nents
Ho
dv v g
+ le cos h le sin h = 0 (6)
vo H ds R v
H
Cartesian Components, x and y Components
s
dx_ x_ y xy xle g1 le y x
p + 2 =0 (7)
dF v dx 1y x
ds

and y y xx_ (8)
Bo B q
Also v = x_ 2 y_ 2 (9)
= pn
pn The radius of curvature of the path at any arbitrary location is
Figure 4. Chute of varying width.
2 1:5
1y x
R= (10)
1) List of symbols at the end of the paper. y x

164 2003 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim 0930-7516/03/0202-00164 $ 17.50+.50/0 Chem. Eng. Technol. 26 (2003) 2
Full Paper

2.5 Complete Solution Involving Variation of le For v = vo at h = ho,


 
2gR 2le ho
Solutions of the equations of motion need to take account of K vo 2 1 2
2 le sin ho 3 le cos ho e
4le 2 1
the variation of the equivalent friction along the chute. (17)
Assuming the bulk density remains approximately constant,
the combination of Eqs. (2) and (5) allows the equivalent Special Case:
friction to be expressed as a function of stream velocity. That
is, for a chute of constant width, When ho = 0 and v = vo,
 
C 6le g R
le = l 1 1 (11) K vo 2 2 (18)
V 14le
Eq. (11) becomes,
vo Ho 
where C1 Kv (12)
H 2gR
v= 2 1 2 le 2 sin h 3le cos h
vo = initial velocity 4le 1
Ho = initial stream thickness  0:5
2le h 6le R g
+e vo 2 2 (19)
For the converging chute of Fig. 4, 4le 1

 
C
le = l 1 + 2 2 (13) 3.2 Chute of Constant Width Comparison of Complete and
vB
Approximate Solutions
 
tan k
where C2 = Kv Bo Ho vo 1 (14) The complete and approximate solutions are compared in
l
Fig. 5 for the case of a chute of radius R = 2.0 m for the initial
velocity vo = 4 m/s. The friction angle for the bulk solid in
B = Bo 2 s tan k (15) contact with the chute surface is us = 25. Two initial bed
depths are considered, Ho/B = 0.2 and Ho/B = 0.6.
Bo = initial chute width Fig. 5a) shows the variation of equivalent friction, while
Fig. 5b) compares the exact and approximate solutions for the
le given, as appropriate, by Eq. (11) or (14) is substituted into velocity distributions. As shown, there is little variation in le
Eq. (6) or (7) which may then be solved numerically. for the smaller Ho/B which explains why the complete and
approximate solutions for the velocity profiles are virtually
identical. Even for the thicker stream for which Ho/B = 0.6,
there is close agreement between the exact and approximated
3 Chutes of Constant Curvature velocity distributions. The cut-off angle shown in Fig. 5b) is the
angle at which the chute profile should be terminated for it to
In order to illustrate the solution of the flow equations, the be self cleaning. This is further discussed in Section 6.3.
case of chutes of constant curvature and rectangular cross-
section is considered. The more exact solution involves the
variation of le to be taken into account. However an 3.3 Converging Chute of Constant Radius
approximate solution will often give satisfactory results.
The case of a chute profile of the type shown in Fig. 4 is now
examined. As an example, the chute radius R = 3.0 m, the initial
chute width is Bo = 1.0 m, the initial velocity is vo = 4 m/s at ho = 0
3.1 Approximate Solution and the friction angle us = 25. Three profiles are compared,
k = 0, that is, constant width, k = 2.5 and k = 5. Fig. 6a) shows
If the curved section of the chute is of constant radius R and the stream velocities, while Fig. 6b) shows the variation in chute
le is assumed constant at an average value for the stream, it width H and stream thickness or depth as a ratio of chute width,
may be shown that the solution of Eq. (6) leads to the equation that is, H/B. The angles k = 0 to 2.5 give acceptable
below for the velocity at any location h. performance. However, the convergence angle of k = 5 causes
the stream thickness to increase significantly beyond the angular
s position of h = 40. For k = 5 the cut-off angle for the converging
2gR
v= 2 1 2 le 2 sin h 3 le cos h Ke 2le h (16) section should be not greater than 40.
4le 1

Chem. Eng. Technol. 26 (2003) 2, 2003 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim 0930-7516/03/0202-00165 $ 17.50+.50/0 165
Full Paper

a) 0.6 a) 6
Velocity for Lambda = 0 deg
Velocity for Lambda = 2.5 deg

STREAM VELOCITY (m/s)


Velocity for Lambda = 5 deg
EQUIVALENT FRICTION

0.55 5.5

Vo = 4 m/s R = 2.0 m
5
0.5

Cut Off Angle


ue for Ho/B = 0.2
4.5
0.45 ue for Ho/B = 0.6

4
0.4 0 10 20 30 40 50 60
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 ANGULAR POSITION (deg.)
ANGULAR POSITION (deg)
b)
B for Lambda = 0 deg
b) 5 B for Lambda = 2.5 deg
1.4 B for Lambda = 5 deg

STREAM THICKNESS H (m) and RATIO H/B


H/B for Lambda = 0 deg
1.2 H/B for Lambda = 2.5 deg
4.5 H/B for Lambda = 5 deg
1
VELOCITY (m/s)

Vo = 4 m/s R = 2.0 m
0.8
4
Cut-Off Angle

Vel for Variable ue, Ho/B=0.2 0.6


Vel for Const. ue = 0.5
Vel for Variable ue, Ho/B =-0.6
3.5 0.4
Vel for Const. ue = 0.58

0.2

3 0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 0 10 20 30 40 50 60
ANGULAR POSITION (deg) ANGULAR POSITION (deg.)

Figure 5. Flow through chute of constant radius, Vo = 4 m/s; R = 2.0 m; Figure 6. Flow through converging chute of constant radius, Vo = 4 m/s; R = 3.0 m;
l = tan 25 = 0.466. l = tan 25 = 0.466.

4 Inverted Curved Chute Sections For v = vo at h = ho, then


( )
2 2gR 2 2 leho
Inverted curved chute sections are often employed in the K = vo 2 [3 le cos ho + (2 le 1) sin ho] e
14le (22)
impact zone of transfer chutes as illustrated in Fig. 2. The
method outlined above for curved chutes may be readily
adapted to inverted curved chute sections as depicted by the .
m v "n"
model of Fig. 7.
m v2
Noting that FD = le FN , it may be shown that the differential FD
R
equation in moving coordinates is given by m

dv gR R
v B
+ le v = (cos h + le sin h) (20) .
dh v v
Cross Section
FN
where le = equivalent friction factor as previously defined. m g "t"
For a constant radius and assuming le is constant at an
Figure 7. Inverted curved chute model.
average value for the stream, the solution of Eq. (20) is

s Special Case:
2gR 2l h
v= 2 sinh2le 2 1 3 le cos h Ke e (21)
4le 1 v = vo at ho = p2

166 2003 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim 0930-7516/03/0202-00166 $ 17.50+.50/0 Chem. Eng. Technol. 26 (2003) 2
Full Paper
 
2gR The factor Kc < 1.0. For rapid thin stream flow Kc 0.8. As
K= vo2 2 [ 2 l e
2
1] ele p (23)
14le the stream thickness increases Kc will reduce.

and

2gR 5.2 Special Case Straight Inclined Chute
v= 2 sin h 2le 2 1 3le cos h
4le 1
Eqs. (26) and (27) apply to any chute profile. For a straight
 0:5
le p 2h 2 R g 2 le 2 1 inclined chute, R = . In this case Eq. (26) becomes
+e vo 2 (24)
4 le 2 1
Qm Kc tan us g sin h
Wc = (28)
Eqs. (20) to (24) apply during positive contact, that is, when B

v2 For a constant flow rate and assuming that K c is


sin h (25)
Rg approximately constant, then, theoretically, the wear along a
straight inclined chute is constant and independent of the
velocity variation.
5 Wear in Chutes
5.3 Abrasive Wear of Chute Side Walls
Chute wear is a combination of abrasive and impact wear.
Abrasive wear may be analysed by considering the mechanics
Eq. (26) applies to the chute bottom surface. For the side
of chute flow as will be now described.
walls, the wear will be much less, varying from zero at the
stream surface to a maximum at the chute bottom. Assuming
the side wall pressure to increase linearly from zero at the
5.1 Abrasive Wear Factor for Chutes
stream surface to a maximum value at the bottom then the
average wear on the side walls can be estimated from
In cases where the bulk solid moves as a continuous stream
under rapid flow conditions, the abrasive or rubbing wear is a Wc Kv
Wcsw = (29)
function of the normal pressure and rubbing velocity. 2 Kc
Consider the general case of a curved chute of rectangular
Where Kc and Kv are as previously defined. If, for example
cross-section as illustrated by the chute flow model of Fig. 3.
Kc = 0.8 and Kv = 0.4, then the average side wall wear is 25 % of
An abrasive factor Wc for wear of the chute bottom surface is
the chute bottom surface wear.
given by

Qm Kc tan u
Wc = NWR (26)
B 5.4 Impact Wear in Chutes

Impact wear may occur at points of entry or points of sudden


Wc has units of (N/ms)
change in direction. For ductile materials, greatest wear is
caused when impingement angles are low, that is in the order
NWR is a non-dimensional abrasive wear number and is given
of 15 to 30. For hard brittle materials, greatest impact
by
damage occurs at steep impingement angles, that is angles in
v2 the vicinity of 90.
NWR = + g sin h (27)
R
Where
6 Feeding onto Belt Conveyor
Qm = mass flow rate (kg/s)
A common application of gravity flow chutes is in the
vs
Kc = loading of bulk solids onto belt conveyors. The application is
v
illustrated in Fig. 1 which shows a gravity feed chute used in
v = average stream velocity at section considered conjunction with a belt or apron feeder. The normal operating
vs = rubbing velocity for bulk solid on chute bottom sur- speeds of such feeders is quite low with vf 0.3 m/s. Hence the
face chute must not only direct the bulk solid onto the belt without
us = friction angle for bulk solid on chute surface spillage, but it must also allow the bulk solid to be accelerated
B = chute width so that at the point of discharge onto the belt, the horizontal
R = radius of curvature component, vey, of the discharge velocity matches, as close as
h = chute slope angle measured from the vertical possible, the belt speed.

Chem. Eng. Technol. 26 (2003) 2, 2003 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim 0930-7516/03/0202-00167 $ 17.50+.50/0 167
Full Paper

The bulk solid falls vertically through a height h' before where lb = friction coefficient between bulk solid and belt
making contact with the curved section of the feed chute. In surface
view of the very low speed of the feeder, the velocity, vo, of first r = bulk density
contact with the curved section of the feed chute will be,
essentially, in the vertical direction.
7 Chute Design Examples

6.1 Free Fall of Bulk Solid The system shown in Fig. 1 is considered in which coal is
being fed at the rate of 1000 t/h from a belt feeder moving at
For the free fall section, the velocity vo may be estimated 0.3 m/s. The overall height HT = 5 m, the bulk density r = 0.8 t/
from m3 and the belt speed vb = 6 m/s. The friction angle for the coal
p on the chute surface is us = 25 and the coefficient of friction
vo = vfo 2 2 g h (30) for the coal in contact with the conveyor belt surface lb = 0.6.
The chute cut-off angle w = 35 for which ho = 55.
Eq. (30) neglects air resistance, which in the case of this
feeding example, is likely to be small. If air resistance is taken
into account, the relationship between height of drop, h, and 7.1 Vertical Drop and Constant Curvature Chutes
velocity, vo, is,
2 3 Various combinations of drop heights, h, and corresponding
vfo radii of curvature, R, to meet the geometrical constraints of
1  
v2 6 v 7 vo vfo
h loge 6
4
7 v (31) the system are examined. These arrangements are illustrated
g vo 5 g in Fig. 8a). For each of these combinations, the initial velocity
1
v vo for the point of contact with the chute profile following the
free fall have been determined and the velocity distribution
where v1 = terminal velocity around the constant radius chute have been computed
vfo = vertical component of velocity of bulk solid dis- together with the belt wear at the feed point. The results of
charging from feeder this exercise are presented in Figs. 8b) and 8c).
vo = velocity corresponding to drop height h' at It is interesting to observe from Fig. 8b) that the velocities
point of impact with chute. corresponding to h = 46 are the same for all chutes. Despite
the wide variation in the initial velocities at the first contact
point with the curved chute sections, the velocities at discharge
are almost the same varying from 6.18 m/s for the drop of h =
6.2 Chute Profile and Belt Wear 4.18 m with the R = 1.0 m radius chute to ve = 6.35 m/s for the
drop h = 1.73 m with the R = 4.0 m radius chute. This is shown
For a given overall height of drop, HT, (Fig. 1), various in Fig. 8c) which presents the discharge velocities, ve, belt wear
combinations of free fall heights, h, and chute geometries may Wa and initial drop height, h, as functions of chute radius R. It
be examined. It is essential to select the best geometry to meet is evident that the smaller the chute radius, the more energy
the performance requirements within the practical constraints the chute absorbs and this implies greater wear of the chute
of the installation. An overriding consideration is need to surface. The best performance is obtained with a smaller drop
minimise chute wear as well as belt wear at the feed point. At height and larger chute radius.
the same time it is necessary to ensure that the chute slope
angle w at the belt conveyor feed point is sufficiently large for
the chute to be self cleaning during start-up following each 7.2 Constant Curvature and Parabolic Chute Profiles
shut-down with bulk solid still retained in the chute. The latter
objective is governed by the condition The example discussed in the previous section is again
considered in this case, a comparison is made between a chute
w > tan1 (le) + 5 (32) of constant curvature and a chute of parabolic geometry. The
coal is allowed to drop a distance of h = 1.73 m before coming
Since the discharge slope angle of the chute ho = (90 w), of into contact with each chute, the velocity of initial chute
necessity, there will be an appreciable vertical component vex contact being 5.82 m/s. The constant curvature chute has a
of the exit velocity. This component, when combined with the radius of R = 4.0 m. The total drop height is HT = 5.0 m and the
bulk density gives rise to the impact pressure, r vex2, on the cut off angle ho = 55. The equation of the parabolic chute is
belt. When linked with the relative rubbing velocity (vb vey),
the relative wear parameter Wa is obtained [4]. y = C x2 (34)

Wa = lb r vex2 (vb vey) (kPa/m s) (33) where C = 0.218

168 2003 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim 0930-7516/03/0202-00168 $ 17.50+.50/0 Chem. Eng. Technol. 26 (2003) 2
Full Paper
p
This value of C satisfies the cut-off condition of y(x) = and y_ as functions of x. The velocity v = x_ 2 y_ 2 is then
tan(55) corresponding to x = 3.27 m which is based on obtained.
HT = 5.0 m. Substituting y(x) = 2 C x, y(x) = 2C and le as The results are presented in Fig. 9. Fig. 9a) compares the
defined by Eq. (11) into Eqs. (7) and (8) and solving to obtain x_ chute profiles, while Fig. 9b) presents the velocity profiles. The
constant curvature chute shows that the velocity increases to a
a) maximum and then decreases as the coal is subjected to
0
retardation. On the other hand, the parabolic chute shows the
velocity increasing steadily approaching a maximum value
1
asymptotic value towards the cut-off point. This indicates that
the coal is being accelerated over the entire chute. The velocity
VERTICAL DISTANCE (m)

distribution for the parabolic chute is more favourable than


2 for the constant radius chute. This is because of the increasing
R=1m
R=2m
radius of curvature of the parabolic chute as given by
R=3m
1 2 1:5
3 R=4m R= 1 2 C x (35)
2C
The energy loss has a more favourable distribution for the
4
parabolic chute profile as is the chute wear. The non-
dimensional chute wear profiles determined in accordance
5
with Eq. (26) are plotted in Fig. 10. The exit velocity for the
parabolic chute is ve = 6.37 m/s which is almost identical with
-0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 ve = 6.35 m/s for the constant curvature chute.
HORIZONTAL DISTANCE (m)

b) 9.5 a) COORDINATE y (m)


R=1.0 m; h=4.18 m; Vo=9.06 m/s 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
9 R=2.0 m; h=3.36 m; Vo=8.12 m/s
0
R=3.0 m; h=2.54 m; Vo=7.06 m/s
8.5
Const Radius Chute
R=4.0 m; h=1.73 m; Vo = 5.82 m/s 0.5
VELOCITY (m/s)

Parabolic Chute
8
1
COORDINATE x (m)

7.5

7 1.5

6.5
2
6
2.5
5.5
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
ANGULAR POSITION (deg) 3

c) 6 6.4 3.5
WEAR AT FEED POINT Wa (kPa m/s)

b) 7
5 6.35
EXIT VELOCITY Ve (m/s)
INITIAL DROP HEIGHT h (m)

Wa (kPa m/s)
h (m)
STREAM VELOCITY v (m/s)

4 6.3
6.5

3 6.25

6
2 6.2
Ve (m/s) v (m/s) for Parabolic Chute
v (m/s) for Const Radius Chute
1 6.15
0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5.5
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5
CHUTE RADIUS OF CURVATURE R (m) VERTICAL COORDINATE POSITION x (m)
Figure 8. Feed through drop height followed by chute of constant radius R. Figure 9. Comparison of constant radius and parabolic chutes.

Chem. Eng. Technol. 26 (2003) 2, 2003 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim 0930-7516/03/0202-00169 $ 17.50+.50/0 169
Full Paper

2 Bo initial width of chute


NW R for Parabolic Chute C constant for parabolic chute profile
NW R for Const. Radius Chute
C1, C2 constants in equivalent friction equations
NON-DIMENSIONAL WEAR NWR
1.8

FD drag force
1.6
g acceleration due to gravity
H steam depth or thickness
1.4
Ho initial depth or thickness
HT total height of chute
1.2
h height of free fall
Initial Velocity = 5.82 m/s
1 Kc ratio vvs
Kv pressure ratio
0.8 m mass
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5
NWR non-dimensional abrasive wear number
VERTICAL COORDINATE POSITION x (m)
n normal coordinate
Figure 10. Non-dimensional wear profiles for constant radius and parabolic
chutes.
Qm mass flow rate
R radius of curvature
s distance around chute
8 Discussion t time
v velocity
The foregoing examples may be examined in terms of the vb belt velocity
exit velocity ve determined from the energy and frictional ve exit velocity
work relationship. For the system of Fig. 3, ve is given by vex x component of exit velocity
  xRe 0:5 vey y component of exit velocity
ve = [vfo2 + 2 g HT] [2 g leye)] 2 le x_ 2 ydx (36) vfo vertical component of velocity of bulk solid
o discharging from feeder
where vfo = initial vertical velocity of bulk solid discharging vo initial velocity
from feeder vs sliding velocity along chute bottom surface
ye = horizontal coordinate of curved chute at exit v terminal velocity
point Wa abrasive wear factor for conveyor belt
The first term in square brackets of Eq. (36) depends on vfo Wc abrasive wear factor
and HT, which are the same for all chutes considered. The Wcsw abrasive wear factor for chute side walls
second term in square brackets depends on the horizontal exit x vertical coordinate distance
coordinate ye which, in turn, depends on the chute profile and x x component of velocity
cut-off angle he. The latter is the same for all chutes y horizontal coordinate distance
considered. The last term containing the integral depends on y y component of velocity
the vertical component of the chute velocity, x, and chute y slope dy
dx 2

curvature term y. Despite the wide variation of the chute y change of slope d 2y
dx
profiles in the examples considered, there was little variation us friction angle for bulk solid on chute surface
in the final exit velocity ve. w chute cut-off slope angle relative to horizontal
While this paper has concentrated on chutes of specified r bulk density
geometrical form, it is possible to determine the required l friction coefficient for bulk solid in contact with chute
chute profile y(x) to maximize either the exit velocity or surface
horizontal component of the exit velocity or, in other cases, to lb friction coefficient between bulk solid and belt surface
minimize the transit time. Analytical methods, such as those le equivalent friction factor
based on the calculus of variations, as well as numerical h chute slope angle measured from the vertical
procedures may be used to obtain solutions in such cases. ho initial chute slope angle
Examples of research dealing with chute optimization are
presented in [57]. References
Received: October 25, 2002 [CET 1716]
[1] A. W. Roberts, Transactions of ASME, J. Eng. Industry, Series B 1969, 91
(2), 373.
[2] A. W. Roberts, O. J. Scott, Bulk Solids Handling 1981, 1 (4), 715.
Symbols used [3] R. D. Parbery, A. W. Roberts, Powder Technol. 1986, 48, 75.
[4] A. W. Roberts, S. J. Wiche, Bulk Solids Handling 1999, 19 (1), 35.
A cross-sectional area of flowing stream [5] W. H. Charlton, A. W. Roberts, J. Agric. Eng. Res. 1970, 15, 292.
[6] W. H. Charlton, C. Chiarella, A. W. Roberts, J. Agric. Eng. Res. 1975, 20, 39.
a1, a2 constants [7] C. Chiarella, W. H. Charlton, A. W. Roberts, Transactions of ASME,
B chute width J. Eng. Industry, Series B 1975, 97 (1), 10.

170 2003 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim 0930-7516/03/0202-00170 $ 17.50+.50/0 Chem. Eng. Technol. 26 (2003) 2

Vous aimerez peut-être aussi