When you have a wide, heavy rubber belt, the motor power required to move it and the increased mechanical strain on the system can lead to rising costs, both in energy use and maintenance requirements. Here Marcin Grzeszek, Manager Industry Segment Recycling at conveyor belt manufacturer Habasit, discusses the key considerations when selecting a belt material for a recycling facility to help keep costs down and maximize efficiency.
We all assume that recycling is always a beneficial process for the environment. After all, how can taking our used, discarded products and converting them into something new possibly be a bad thing? Well, global recycling facilities are struggling with this very problem as the rising costs and energy consumption associated with running recycling lines are beginning to mean the process is no longer worthwhile. However, what many in the recycling industry do not realize is that many of their problems can be overcome by ensuring that they are using the right belt material for the job.
The traditional belt of choice
Traditionally, rubber belts have been the first choice for use in recycling applications and are still widely used despite new materials becoming more readily available. Rubber belts have several key advantages, such as high mechanical strength, cut resistance, and high abrasion resistance. These are particularly valuable for separating mixed waste, especially when materials like brick, concrete, glass, and steel are involved.
However, rubber belts have a couple of major disadvantages, including that they are slow to run and extremely energy intensive compared to other options. This is mainly caused by the high thickness and weight of rubber belts compared to alternative materials. For example, typical running speeds for a 3 m wide rubber belt are between 1 m/s and 1.5 m/s, whereas other materials can achieve speeds between 4 m/s and 6 m/s.
Furthermore, because of their weight, larger pulleys are needed to drive rubber belts compared to similar sized belts made from lightweight materials. To make matters worse, 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 go-to belt material, what are the alternatives?
Read more: Choosing the Right Belt Material for Recycling Applications