Primary Belt Scrapers for MRF Plants

Primary Belt Scrapers: Ensuring Smooth Operations at Materials Recycling Facilities.

Conveyor belts are the backbone of many industries, particularly MRF plants, where vast quantities of mixed materials are handled daily. Like any machinery, their efficiency is crucial, and this is where primary belt scrapers come into play.

What are Primary Belt Scrapers?

Primary belt scrapers are devices mounted at the head pulley to scrape off the material that sticks to the belt. As materials are transferred from crushers and screens onto conveyor belts, some residual material, especially fine particles, often stick to the belt. Without these cleaners, this residual material can cause multiple problems.

Primary belt scraper

 

The Effects of Carryback and Spillage on Conveyor Belt Systems in MRFs.

Carryback and spillage significantly disrupt conveyor belt systems in materials handling plants. Carryback, which is material sticking to the belt after the head pulley, can shorten component lifespans through increased wear, cause misalignment and imbalance, and lead to safety hazards from material buildup. This inefficiency results in material and profit losses. Spillage occurs when material falls from the belt, often due to overloading or misalignment, creating safety risks and requiring cleanup that diverts labour from other tasks. This not only leads to direct material losses but also environmental risks, potentially inviting legal repercussions. Addressing these issues with preventative maintenance is crucial for the health, efficiency, and profitability of conveyor systems.

Features and Benefits of Primary Belt Scrapers

  1. Efficiency and Productivity: By scraping off residual material, belt cleaners help ensure the conveyor operates at its peak capacity without any unnecessary weight or obstructions.
  2. Extended Belt Life: Accumulated material can cause premature wear and tear on the belts, leading to frequent replacements. Clean belts reduce wear, increasing their operational lifespan.
  3. Safety: Material build-up can cause belts to misalign or slip. By ensuring the belt remains clean, the risk of malfunction or accidents is significantly reduced.
  4. Reduced Maintenance: A clean conveyor belt reduces the need for frequent maintenance checks and repairs, saving time and money.
  5. Environmental Benefits: Loose materials can fall from the belt, causing dust emissions or polluting the ground below. Cleaners and scrapers prevent this, making operations more environmentally friendly.
  6. Energy Savings: A clean belt means less friction between the conveyor belt and the residual materials. Reduced friction implies reduced energy consumption, leading to cost savings.

The Risks of Cleaner and Scraper Failure:

The importance of primary belt cleaners and scrapers becomes even more apparent when we consider the consequences of their failure:

  1. Stoppages: Excessive material build-up can cause the conveyor belt to malfunction or even stop, halting the entire production process.
  2. Increased Costs: The combined costs of frequent belt replacements, increased energy consumption, and operational halts can significantly impact a company’s bottom line.
  3. Safety Concerns: Material build-up can lead to belt misalignment, increasing the risk of accidents or worker injury.
  4. Environmental Impact: Loose materials can fall off without proper cleaning, leading to environmental contamination and potential regulatory fines.
  5. Manual Labour: Cleaning up spillages requires manual labour, diverting the workforce from other essential tasks.

Conclusion:

Primary belt cleaners and scrapers may appear to be small parts of an MRF’s overall operations, yet their importance is significant. These devices are essential for the efficient, safe, and environmentally responsible operation of conveyor belts. They safeguard a company’s investment, its reputation, and the safety of its employees. Investing in regular maintenance and routine inspections of these cleaners yields substantial benefits.

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BEN DUCHESNE

Ben is a time serviced field service engineer in the busy waste and recycling sector, who’s career moved into to managing service teams and beyond. Originally beginning his career with a HGV repair and maintenance apprenticeship with IVECO, from there travelling and working in multiple countries moving towards waste processing shredders.

Ben joined the Hoverdale team in September 2024 seeking to apply his extensive knowledge to a new area. His values and ethics fit perfectly within the Hoverdale ethos.

He is happily married to Kristina, with 4 wonderful young children; 14, 11, 8 and 5. We the children he doesn’t get much spare time. He is a family man, who enjoys spending as much time with them as possible.

DAVID BARTER

David is an experienced leader, with a background covering Operations, eCommerce, Finance, Compliance, HR and IT. His career spans Banking, Retail and Engineering, spending the majority of his career working for ALDI as they grew to become 4th largest supermarket in the UK, including seven years on their UK board as Managing Director of IT and eCommerce.

David joined Hoverdale’s Senior Management Team in 2023 to seek a fresh challenge in a completely different industry sector. He has applied his approach to Process Improvement, Efficiency, Customer Service and Teamwork to great effect during Hoverdale’s sustained growth.

Married to Jane, with three adult sons between them, David volunteers on the board of the Nottingham Playhouse theatre as well as his local rugby and football clubs. Any spare time he spends enjoying walks with their Golden Retriever, Buzz, who is also regularly seen in the Hoverdale office.

MATT BEVERLEY

A time served Mechanical engineer Matt’s background includes many high-profile projects within the Automotive Industry: The Rolls Royce Phantom, Rolls Royce Cullinan, Spyker Le-Mans racing teams, Bentley, Aston Martin, and Airbus A380. This history and knowledge of complex manufacturing and engineering projects have been transferred and further developed into the bulk material handling sector. Matt has work in Europe, North America, Indonesia, and China

He joined the bulk solids and bulk handling industry in 2019 as Managing Director of Hoverdale UK Ltd and subsequently completed a Management buyout in July 2020. The business has grown yearly, increased employment, its customer base, and worldwide reputation, and disrupted the market with groundbreaking innovative technology. Since Matt took over Hoverdale, the company has filed four patents for innovation; one was granted in 2023 for a design to improve bulk handling. The success had been driven by delivering tailored solutions to the waste recycling sectors that keep material flowing out and money flowing in.

Awards Include

  • 2024 – Shapa company of the Year
  • 2024- Shapa Innovation in Technology
  • 2024- MHEA Engineer of the year
  • 2021 – MHEA Innovation of the year
  • 2021- IMechE Innovation award

Current Positions Include.

  • Group Chairman Hoverdale UK Ltd
  • President (MHEA) Material Handling Engineers Association
  • Vice Chairman: IMechE Bulk Material Handling Committee
  • Council Member: (SHAPA) Solids Handling & Particle Association
  • Member: Chartered Management Institute

Matt has been happily married to Julie for 22 years and has 4 children, 3 of which are involved within the Hoverdale group of companies. He is an RFU level 2 qualified coach and referee having been in several head coaching roles at various age groups from under 6’s to adults for his local team Nuneaton RFC. He believes in the core values that rugby teaches of Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline, Sportsmanship and try’s to carry this through in his day to day business activities. He is passionate at brining the next generation of young, diverse engineers into the sector through promotion of apprenticeship scheme and further education routes.