E3 - Feed - and Discharge Chute Design

Transport and Dust Collecting Manual
Version 1.05
Feed- and Discharge Chute Design
Flückiger Werner
Stocker Beat
E3 (MPT 03/14906/E)
Holcim Group Support Ltd

CTS - Mechanical Process Technology E3/1
Version 1.05
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION 3
2. BELT CONVEYOR LOADING AND DISCHARGE 4

Origins of fugitive material 4
Transfer Point Chutes have Six Missions 5
Belt transition between the tail pulley and feed chute 5
Feed chute skirt board and skirt board sealing 6
Dust curtain 7
Transfer chute design for Fine bulk materials 7
Transfer chute design for Coarse/Abrasive materials 9
Transfer chute design for Coarse/Sticky materials 10
Centralization of material load by adjustable skirt plate 11
Material Discharge Points 12
3. HOLCIM-CTS TRANSFER CHUTES DESIGN GUIDELINES 14

Chute design 14
Chute lining 14
4. CHUTE DESIGN EXAMPLES 14

Version 1.05
1. INTRODUCTION
It is generally accepted that material leakage and spillage from transfer points
considerably increase the operating costs of bulk material handling facilities.
In reality; after the conveyor design engineer has elaborated the conveyor layout, he will
go on to size critical items such as belts, idlers, motors, speed reducers, etc. and will
leave chute detailing to someone else. If the chute detailer has plenty of field experience
the resulting transfer point will work well. If not, the result can be a poor system. The
chute may not look radically different from a successful design, but performance
differences may be sufficient to create significant problems and loss of profit.
A close examination of the original designs of many transfer points gives the impression
that the designer was counting on some form of magic to induce the product to go in the
right direction. Either that, or it was hoped that the last rebound of product out of the
chute would, just by luck, be in the right direction.
With today’s available technology, these typical problems can and must be reduced to a
minimum. It is therefore required that properly designed and constructed feed and
discharge chutes must be installed.
A clear understanding of the flow of bulk solids within a chute is essential for rational
design.
Transfer Chute Design
The design of any type of conveying system must meet two basic requirements:
• the system objectives - in terms of capacity, conveying distance, product
distribution, etc.
• the characteristics of the bulk solids product in terms of flow properties,
abrasion resistance of chute materials, etc.
Considering what happens when product flows through the chute. Firstly, flow
through a chute is a transient phenomenon happening in a very short time.
What happens to the product coming off the feed belt:
• some of the fines float into the surrounding air-stream.
• some of the product sticks to the sides of the chute.
• some of the product gets carried back on the return belt.
• some of the product escapes from the chute and settles on the floor.
• at times product will block the chute and cause overflow.
• some of the fines end up in the head pulley and bearings.
• the balance of the product continues the journey to the next transfer point.

Version 1.05
2. BELT CONVEYOR LOADING AND DISCHARGE
Origins of fugitive material
Fig. 1: Material overloading Fig. 2: Carry-back
Fig. 3: Loading forces push material Fig. 4: Off-center loading causes

against skirt-board and sealing system belt to mistrack
Fig.5: Airborne Dust

Version 1.05
Transfer Point Chutes have Six Missions
1. To feed the receiving conveyor in its direction of travel.

2. To centralize the material load.
3. To minimize impact on the receiving belt.
4. To supply the stream of material at a speed equal to the speed of the receiving
conveyor.
5. To return belt scrapings to the main material flow.
6. To minimize the generation and release of dust.
Belt transition between the tail pulley and feed chute
The material load should be fed by the chute work to a fully troughed belt, and
not in an area where the belt is undergoing transition. Also, provisions should be
made in the chute design to ensure that the material flow is centred onto the
receiving belt.
While accurate transition distances are available from the belting supplier, the
following «rules of thumb» have been used to estimate requirements. As a minimum
the skirt should not start until full troughing of belt has been achieved.
Fig. 6:
For Fabric Belt:
L = 1.0 x belt width for 20 degrees troughing idlers
For steel-cord belts:
L Double of L for fabric belts

Version 1.05
Feed chute skirt board and skirt board sealing
Skirt-boards must be properly sized and distanced from the belt, to minimise
the possibility of material escaping from the loading point. They must also be
equipped with wear liners to help centre the material on the belt and to prevent
material from contacting and prematurely wearing the skirt-board sealing system.
Skirt-board and wear liner should be installed to provide relief in the direction of the
belt travel to prevent material entrapment. In cases where the design of the loading
point involves a dual chute wall construction, i.e.; where a space exists between the
interior chute wall and an outside chute wall, wear liner plates are not required.
Fig. 7: The steel to belt distance opens Fig. 8: Wedge-shaped loading chute
in the belt moves toward the exit of the
transfer point.
Fig. 9: Example wedge-

shaped loading chute
The skirt-board sealing system, in combination with a properly supported belt and
properly positioned chute wear liners must be able to contain small particles as well
as prevent the escape of material fines and dust from the load zone.

Version 1.05
Dust curtain
To help increase the dust containment capabilities as well as decrease the amount
of air escaping the loading chute, the installation of dust curtains at the exit of the
chute work should be considered.
50 mm (2")
clearance for
load on belt
Fig.10: Example dual dust curtain
Transfer chute design for Fine bulk materials
Examples of chute design for fine material
Fig. 11: Example feed chute with curved

loading plate for material speed-up
Fig. 12: Example cement feed chute

Version 1.05
Examples of chute skirting design for fine material
PERNO ROSCADO DE 3/8" ø x 100

LONG. C/TUERCA HEX. STD. Y
ROLDANA DE PRESION
157
P DE DESG. 37
P DE 1/4"
SOL 1/4" x 2 1/2" Fig. 15: Multiple layer skirt-board in most

APS - 1 1/4" x 1/4"
applications not recommended due to
HULE ARMORTIE DE 1/2" DE ESP.
high maintenance
Fig. 14: Example skirt

board sealing

Version 1.05
Transfer chute design for Coarse/Abrasive materials
Step chute
Material
centralization
plates
Fig. 16: Example belt conveyor

feed chute for clinker
Fig. 17: Multiple rock boxes inside the chute Fig.18: Example grizzly bars inside the
loading chute
Fig.19: Example rock box inside

the loading chute

Version 1.05
Transfer chute design for coarse/sticky materials
Impact
plates
(movable)
Anti-sticking
lining
Stainless
steel lining
Fig. 20: Example chute design for coarse / sticky

material
Impact
chain
Fig. 21: Example chute design

equipped with impact chain

Version 1.05
Example of chute skirting design for coarse material
Fig. 22: Example skirt board sealing for coarse wet material
Centralization of material load by adjustable skirt plate
Adjustable
skirt plate
Fig. 23: Example adjustable skirt plate, not often

used due high abrasion on the steel plate

Version 1.05
Material Discharge Points
Whenever the belt is discharged over an end pulley,

the speed of the belt and the diameter of the end pulley
are factors which determine the path of the discharged
product. This path is called the primary trajectory. The
shape of the discharged product trajectory is important
when designing chutes.
Appendix 1 provides a method for calculation the
material trajectory for a variety of applications and
variables
The product is carried toward the head pulley by the conveyor belt. If the belt is
running at a high enough speed, inertia will carry the product over the pulley in the
same direction, and at the same speed, as the belt. If the belt is running more slowly
the product tends to roll down the face of the pulley.
Discharge chute
Fig. 24: Example impact protection Fig. 25: Example impact protection
on chute by plastic lining on chute by rubber lining

Version 1.05
Inspection openings
Very often flow problems within chutes and belt cleaner adjustment could be more
easily solved if the flow stream could be observed. Therefore observation is
necessary to enable appropriate adjustments to be made.
Many chutes have only one inspection door. This does not permit a view of the
actual flow path, the skirt area and the cleaner.
Sufficient accessible inspection doors shall be installed at any chute.
Such doors must be dust tight and located on the non-wearing side of the chute.
Depending on their location they must also be capable of withstanding the side
pressure from a plugged chute condition.
Fig. 26: Example missing Fig. 27: Example inspection door

inspection doors for maintenance

Version 1.05
3. HOLCIM-CTS TRANSFER CHUTES DESIGN GUIDELINES
Chute design
The minimum valley angle shall correspond to the material characteristics but shall
not be less than 60°, expect for clinker, where a minimum valley angle of 50° is
acceptable.
All chutes, covered skirt-boards and hoods shall be designed for effective dust
suppression and shall be provided with flanged dust exhaust connections where
required.
Chute- and chute support connections shall be flanged and bolted and shall be
designed to facilitate ease of field erection and future replacement of parts.
Chutes shall be designed with removable top covers or large access doors for
replacement of the liner plates.
Chutes shall be constructed of a minimum 4 mm thick plate. Accessible inspection
doors shall be hinged and shall be held in closed position by quick release clamps.
Chute lining
All chutes handling clinker or other abrasive material shall be provided with rock
boxes and wear lining (Ni-hard or similar, approx. 20 mm thick).
Chutes handling sticky materials shall preferably be lined with low coefficient of
friction materials suitable for the application (UHMW polyethylene, stainless steel
etc.). As an alternative, heated chutes may be foreseen.
4. CHUTE DESIGN EXAMPLES
Chute design examples and supplier proposal see appendixes

1. Determination of belt conveyor discharge parabola
2. Belt Conveyor Feed Chute for Fine Bulk Material
3. Belt Conveyor Feed Chute for Coarse/Sticky Material
4. Feed Chute Design for Abrasive Dry Material
5. Apron Conveyor Feed Chute Skirting
6. Diverter Gates for Clinker Transport
7. Diverter Gates / Splitters for Fine Material
8. Clinker Storage Feed Chutes
9. Clinker Storage Discharge Chutes

Version 1.05
Appendix 1
Determination of belt conveyor discharge

parabola

Appendix 1:
Version 1.05 Determination of belt conveyor discharge parabola
Determination of discharge parabola
The discharge parabola of material is determined on: Symbol Unit

a) Discharge angle x from pulley
R Radius [m]
b) Belt speed v Speed [m/s]
c) Pulley diameter t Time [s]
H Height [m]
S Distance [m]
1) Determination of material discharging point G Acceleration of gravity [9.81 m/s2]
T
V
C Factor
x b
O
- If factor K>1: the discharge point is on
the tangent point T.
R
- If factor K<1: the discharge point is on

the tangent point C.
Determination of discharge point C:
2) Determination of parabola
a) Distance c) Auxiliary table (example)
b) Height of drop Points Time Distance High of drop

[No] [s] [m] [m]
1 0.1 0.1 0.049
2 0.2 0.2 0.196
With a belt speed of v = 1 m/s, the distance 3 0.3 0.3 0.441
S correspond with the high of drop as follows: 4 0.4 0.4 0.784
5 0.5 0.5 1.225
3) Example 6 0.6 0.6 1.764
0,3se
7 0.7 0.7 2.401
v=1,5 0,45m c
5
m/se
c.
0,2se
8 0.8 0.8 3.136
0,3m c
4
3 0,1se
9 0.9 0.9 3.964
c
2
1
0,15m 10 1.0 1.0 4.900
0,049m
T 11 1.1 1.1 5.929

0,196m
12 1.2 1.2 7.056

1,225m
0,784m
0,441m
C
00
°
ø4
30,6
1 15° b
x
m
0,1
2
m
0,1
3
0,196m
m
0,1
4
Example 1 Example 2
0,441m
Pulley diameter [mm] 400 400

Belt speed [m/s] 1.5 1.0
ec.
m/s
0,784m
v =1
Conveyor angle b [°] 15 10

Factor K 1.19 (>1) 0.527 (<1)
ec.
/s
,5m
2
sin x [°]
1
v=1
= 30.6°
v=1m/sec.
9.81 • 0.2

Version 1.05
APPENDIX 2
Belt Conveyor Feed Chutes for Fine Bulk

Material

Transport and Dust Collecting Manual Appendix 2:
Version 1.05 Belt conveyor feed chutes for fine bulk material

1494 EXT.
PERNO ROSCADO DE 3/8" ø x 100
29 1436 C.a C. BARRS 29
LONG. C/TUERCA HEX. STD. Y
ROLDANA DE PRESION
35 1366 BASTIDOR 35
327 712 INTERIOR GUIAS DE CARGA 327
41 356 356 41 SOL - 1/4 x 2 1/2"
15
794 C.a C. BARRS
7
BARRS. 11/16" ø
35 35 P/TORNS. 5/8" ø
12
P DE 1/4"
40
30
12
6
84
54
150
80
15?
420
VER DET 1
30
258
P DE DESG. 37
APS - 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" x 1/4"

75 246 64
35?
855
843
P DE 1/4" 385 PL.
229
232
67 70 66
3 DECK.
SOL 1/4" x 2 1/2"
203
APS - 1 1/4" x 1/4"
HULE ARMORTIE DE 1/2" DE ESP.


Appendix 2:
Transport and Dust Collecting Manual Belt conveyor feed chutes for fine bulk material
Version 1.05

Appendix 2:
Version 1.05

Appendix 2:
Version 1.05

Appendix 2:
Version 1.05

Appendix 2:
Version 1.05

Version 1.05
APPENDIX 3
Belt Conveyor Feed Chutes for

Coarse/Sticky Material

Appendix 3:
Transport and Dust Collecting Manual Belt Conveyor Feed Chutes for Coarse Material
Version 1.05
DETAIL 1
1/4 64 (21/2" x 1/4" F.BAR)
70
41
35
850 COVER
70 710 INSIDE 70 FABRICATE+
41 355 355 SKIRTING RUBBER
76
DETAIL 1 32 50
76
457
50
38
178
76
35°
150
229
1/4" THIK. A.R.S.

MATERIAL DEFLECTOR
.................
WITH VERTICAL
203
SLOTTED HOLES
c 4 x 5,4 @ 1500 c/c RBT.
FOR ADJUSTEMENT
FULL LENGHT OF SKIRTBOARD
108
REQ D 1/2" THIK. x 5" WIDE

SKIRTING RUBBER
1365 CONVEYOR BELT
Recommended for transfer chutes on belt

GORDON "ATLASTASEAL" SELF ADJUSTING
conveyors located just after a roller press
EXTRUDED RUBBER FOR 35° OR 20° ........
(REMOVABLE FROM SKIRTBOARD ENDS)
35° OR 20°

Appendix 3:
Transport and Dust Collecting Manual Belt Conveyor Feed Chutes for Coarse Wet Material
Version 1.05

Version 1.05 Belt Conveyor Feed Chutes for Coarse Wet Material




Version 1.05
APPENDIX 4
Feed Chute Design for Abrasive Dry Material

Version 1.05 Feed Chute Design for Abrasive Dry Material

Version 1.05

Version 1.05
Appendix 4:
Feed Chute Design for Abrasive Dry Material

Transport and Dust Collecting Manual Appendix4:





Version 1.05
APPENDIX 5
Apron Conveyor Feed Chute Skirting

Version 1.05 Apron Conveyor Feed Chute Skirting


E3 - Feed - and Discharge Chute Design

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

E3 - Feed - and Discharge Chute Design

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Transport and Dust Collecting Manual

Feed- and Discharge Chute Design

Holcim Group Support Ltd

2. BELT CONVEYOR LOADING AND DISCHARGE 4

3. HOLCIM-CTS TRANSFER CHUTES DESIGN GUIDELINES 14

4. CHUTE DESIGN EXAMPLES 14

Holcim Group Support Ltd

Transfer Chute Design

Holcim Group Support Ltd

2. BELT CONVEYOR LOADING AND DISCHARGE

Origins of fugitive material

Fig. 1: Material overloading Fig. 2: Carry-back

Fig. 3: Loading forces push material Fig. 4: Off-center loading causes

Fig.5: Airborne Dust

Holcim Group Support Ltd

Transfer Point Chutes have Six Missions

1. To feed the receiving conveyor in its direction of travel.

Belt transition between the tail pulley and feed chute

Holcim Group Support Ltd

Feed chute skirt board and skirt board sealing

Fig. 9: Example wedge-

Holcim Group Support Ltd

Fig.10: Example dual dust curtain

Transfer chute design for Fine bulk materials

Examples of chute design for fine material

Fig. 11: Example feed chute with curved

Fig. 12: Example cement feed chute

Holcim Group Support Ltd

Examples of chute skirting design for fine material

PERNO ROSCADO DE 3/8" ø x 100

SOL 1/4" x 2 1/2" Fig. 15: Multiple layer skirt-board in most

Fig. 14: Example skirt

Holcim Group Support Ltd

Transfer chute design for Coarse/Abrasive materials

Fig. 16: Example belt conveyor

Fig.19: Example rock box inside

Holcim Group Support Ltd

Transfer chute design for coarse/sticky materials

Fig. 20: Example chute design for coarse / sticky

Fig. 21: Example chute design

Holcim Group Support Ltd

Example of chute skirting design for coarse material

Centralization of material load by adjustable skirt plate

Fig. 23: Example adjustable skirt plate, not often

Holcim Group Support Ltd

Material Discharge Points

Whenever the belt is discharged over an end pulley,

Holcim Group Support Ltd

Fig. 26: Example missing Fig. 27: Example inspection door

Holcim Group Support Ltd

3. HOLCIM-CTS TRANSFER CHUTES DESIGN GUIDELINES

4. CHUTE DESIGN EXAMPLES

Chute design examples and supplier proposal see appendixes

Holcim Group Support Ltd

Determination of belt conveyor discharge

Holcim Group Support Ltd

Determination of discharge parabola

The discharge parabola of material is determined on: Symbol Unit

- If factor K<1: the discharge point is on

Determination of discharge point C:

a) Distance c) Auxiliary table (example)

b) Height of drop Points Time Distance High of drop

T 11 1.1 1.1 5.929