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Balancing Load and Speed: A New Approach to Reducing Energy Use in Coal Conveyor Systems

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  • Leszek Jurdziak

    (Department of Mining, Faculty of Geoengineering, Mining and Geology, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland)

  • Mirosław Bajda

    (Department of Mining, Faculty of Geoengineering, Mining and Geology, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland)

Abstract

Reducing energy consumption in belt conveyor systems is critical to improving the overall energy efficiency of lignite mining operations. This study presents a theoretical and empirical analysis of energy use in overburden and coal conveyors, with a focus on balancing the relationship between belt speed and load. Building on the theory of conveyor motion resistance, the energy consumption index ( WskZE )—previously introduced by the authors—is revisited as a function of two key variables: belt speed (v) and real-time material flow rate ( Q r ). Empirical validation was conducted using operational data from variable-speed conveyors in the Konin lignite mine and compared to similar-length conveyors in the Bełchatów mine. Energy consumption measurements allowed for the analysis of energy consumption for two different scenarios: (i) in the Bełchatów mine the belt speed was constant and the excavator capacity was variable and (ii) in the Konin mine the excavator capacity was kept constant and the conveyor belt speed was varied. The results confirm that WskZE is linearly dependent on belt speed and inversely proportional to throughput, as predicted by theoretical models. However, findings also show that lowering belt speed—while effective in reducing energy use—results in a higher proportion of power being consumed to move the belt and heavy idlers, especially when these components are sized for peak loads. This study suggests a revised conveyor design philosophy (a new paradigm) that emphasizes maximizing the mass ratio of transported material to moving components. Additionally, it recommends integrating real-time monitoring of energy performance indicators into mine control systems to enable energy-aware operational decisions.

Suggested Citation

  • Leszek Jurdziak & Mirosław Bajda, 2025. "Balancing Load and Speed: A New Approach to Reducing Energy Use in Coal Conveyor Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-18, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:17:p:4716-:d:1742350
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Piotr Kulinowski & Piotr Kasza & Jacek Zarzycki, 2022. "Methods of Testing of Roller Rotational Resistance in Aspect of Energy Consumption of a Belt Conveyor," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Zhenfang Xu & Zhi Sun & Jiayao Li, 2024. "Research on Coal Flow Visual Detection and the Energy-Saving Control Method Based on Deep Learning," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-15, July.
    3. Mirosław Bajda & Leszek Jurdziak & Zbigniew Konieczka, 2025. "Impact of Monthly Load Variability on the Energy Consumption of Twin Belt Conveyors in a Lignite Mine," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-17, April.
    4. Piotr Kulinowski & Piotr Kasza & Jacek Zarzycki, 2021. "Influence of Design Parameters of Idler Bearing Units on the Energy Consumption of a Belt Conveyor," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-13, January.
    5. Witold Kawalec & Natalia Suchorab & Martyna Konieczna-Fuławka & Robert Król, 2020. "Specific Energy Consumption of a Belt Conveyor System in a Continuous Surface Mine," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-10, October.
    6. Jianhua Ji & Changyun Miao & Xianguo Li & Yi Liu, 2021. "Speed regulation strategy and algorithm for the variable-belt-speed energy-saving control of a belt conveyor based on the material flow rate," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(2), pages 1-15, February.
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