ContiTech News

When it comes to transporting raw materials, spoils and other bulk materials in large quantities from point A to point B within a short period of time, then conveyor belts are the right equipment. This is also true because they require much less energy as other transport solutions. Furthermore, some conveyor belt systems don't even consume energy but rather generate electricity. This clearly makes conveyor belts the leader in climate protection in conveyor technology. According to a study by the Clausthal University of Technology, it is possible to reduce CO2 emissions by 340 million tons in the next 30 years if the use of conveyor belts is stepped up in conveying raw materials. Without raw materials, we would still be living in the stone ages. They are an important basis of our civilization built on industry and technology and being a significant provider of energy, they keep our world in motion.

Raw materials keep the world in motion.

According to experts, the demand for mineral raw materials is increasing by four percent per annum. Worldwide, enormous amounts are being conveyed. In the study entitled "Energy efficiency in conveyor technology and climate protection" that was carried out by the Clausthal University of Technology and headed by Professor Dr. Hossein Tudeshki from the Institute of Mining Engineering, it was found that currently more than 12.3 billion tons of solid mineral raw materials per annum are being extracted and consumed worldwide. To convey this amount, an additional 28.84 billion tons of spoils must be moved. With regard to increasing energy prices, transport has become an important cost factor in the extraction of raw materials. On top of that, there are the consequences for the environment and climate. Just the transportation alone within one mining area takes up 25 percent of the energy used for the entire extraction process. "The operators of mining systems are therefore faced with the question as to which technical solutions are the most cost-effective and most reliable processes for transporting raw materials and spoils, also in view of climate protection" says Hans-Jürgen Duensing, business unit head at ContiTech Conveyor Belt Group, the world leading manufacturer of conveyor belts. "Heavy-duty trucks represent the chief means of transporting bulk materials in mining and quarrying."

Thanks to their application flexibility, heavy-duty trucks will also play an important role in mining in the future. However, when it comes to energy efficiency and environmental protection, they are necessarily lagging behind. Then as so-called "discontinuous" transportation equipment, they alternate between loaded and empty runs.

With an empty vehicle weight of up to 72 tons, the total mass moved to payload ratio is approximately 2.4:1 according to the calculations done in the study. "In view of the increasing energy prices and climate change, it is worth while thinking about alternatives", says Duensing. "And I see a solution here in conveyor belt technology that is fit for the future, energy efficient and environmentally friendly. After all, it is not just a matter of extracting the resources from the earth, but also protecting the natural environment of our planet."

Clean climate with conveyors

The following facts support this claim. As continuous transportation equipment, conveyor belt systems achieve a clearly better total mass moved to payload ratio of 1.2:1. This also affects the specific energy requirement. According to the study, a belt system needs merely 0.14 to 0.25 kWh per ton and kilometer. This corresponds to a fifth of the energy requirement of heavy-duty trucks and has a sweeping effect on the level of CO2 emissions. Operating a conveyor belt emits just 55 g of CO2 per ton and kilometer so that there is a reduction potential of 276 g per ton and kilometer.

Good perspectives

What happens when conveyor belts are increasingly used in the conveying of raw materials, when their role is moderately but continuously extended? The study has found that this would have extremely positive consequences for the environment. To calculate this, two conditions must also apply: the demand for raw materials continues to increase in the future by four percent, and the share of conveyor belt systems is continuously extended over 25 years from 30 percent to 50 percent in 2034. After that, this share is maintained. This would naturally have a direct effect on the amount transported. The specific amounts moved by conveyor belt systems then increases – with an average conveyor distance of 3,800 meters – in 30 years from currently 46.97 to 254.29 billion tons and kilometers in 2039 – in other words by more than a fifth. Behind these bare figures, there is good news for the environment. Professor Tudeshki makes this clear: "Compared to the status quo, more than 340 million tons of CO2 could be reduced with the additional use of conveyor belts over the next 30 years."

This represents the CO2 equivalent amount that the 15 member states of the European Union pledged themselves to achieving under the terms of the Kyoto Protocol adopted in 1997. Good prospects then. And not only in view of the environment and climate. The lower energy consumption also reduces the costs for conveying raw materials. "A business benefit that is a strong incentive for mining companies to increase their commitment to environmental and climate protection by stepping up their use of conveyor belt systems," says a convinced Hans-Jürgen Duensing. An advantage that is already being made use of by K+S Group, RWE Power AG in Jamaica.