Rotating Resistance of Belt Conveyor Idler Rolls

Abstract

The primary function of idler rolls in a belt conveyor system is to support the conveyor belt along its length. Predicting the cumulative resistance of idler rolls is vitally important in calculating the belt tension and therefore power requirements of a system, particularly on long overland conveyors where there are typically more than one thousand idler rolls per kilometer of belt. The rotating resistance occurs due to the friction of the rolling elements in the bearings, the viscous drag of the lubricant, and the friction of the contact lip seals. This paper provides theoretical methods to calculate each component of the rotating resistance and describes an apparatus designed to measure this resistance force under simulated operating conditions.