Impact of Monthly Load Variability on the Energy Consumption of Twin Belt Conveyors in a Lignite Mine

This study examines the influence of average monthly load variations on the unit energy consumption indicator (ZE) of belt conveyors, defined as the energy required to transport 1 Mg of bulk material (coal) over a distance of 1 km. The analysis is based on energy consumption data from twin belt conv...

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Main Authors: Mirosław Bajda, Leszek Jurdziak, Zbigniew Konieczka
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Energies
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/8/2003
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author Mirosław Bajda
Leszek Jurdziak
Zbigniew Konieczka
author_facet Mirosław Bajda
Leszek Jurdziak
Zbigniew Konieczka
author_sort Mirosław Bajda
collection DOAJ
description This study examines the influence of average monthly load variations on the unit energy consumption indicator (ZE) of belt conveyors, defined as the energy required to transport 1 Mg of bulk material (coal) over a distance of 1 km. The analysis is based on energy consumption data from twin belt conveyors operating in a Polish lignite mine over four years. Monthly records included transported mass, conveyor operating time, energy consumed, and atmospheric conditions (temperature and humidity). The results indicate statistically significant differences in ZE between the analyzed conveyors. A relative increase in average load by 35% (from 2000 Mg/h) corresponded to a 26% reduction in ZE, with a specific decrease of 90 Wh/Mg/km. The findings highlight that optimizing conveyor load distribution can significantly reduce energy consumption—by up to 30%. These insights underscore the potential for energy savings through better conveyor load management without requiring significant infrastructural investments.
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series Energies
spelling doaj-art-04d16d036e25408eb1f2a10b07c7bced2025-08-20T02:17:20ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-04-01188200310.3390/en18082003Impact of Monthly Load Variability on the Energy Consumption of Twin Belt Conveyors in a Lignite MineMirosław Bajda0Leszek Jurdziak1Zbigniew Konieczka2Faculty of Geoengineering, Mining and Geology, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, 50-370 Wrocław, PolandFaculty of Geoengineering, Mining and Geology, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, 50-370 Wrocław, PolandPGE Górnictwo i Energetyka Konwencjonalna S.A, Oddział KWB Bełchatów, 97-400 Bełchatów, PolandThis study examines the influence of average monthly load variations on the unit energy consumption indicator (ZE) of belt conveyors, defined as the energy required to transport 1 Mg of bulk material (coal) over a distance of 1 km. The analysis is based on energy consumption data from twin belt conveyors operating in a Polish lignite mine over four years. Monthly records included transported mass, conveyor operating time, energy consumed, and atmospheric conditions (temperature and humidity). The results indicate statistically significant differences in ZE between the analyzed conveyors. A relative increase in average load by 35% (from 2000 Mg/h) corresponded to a 26% reduction in ZE, with a specific decrease of 90 Wh/Mg/km. The findings highlight that optimizing conveyor load distribution can significantly reduce energy consumption—by up to 30%. These insights underscore the potential for energy savings through better conveyor load management without requiring significant infrastructural investments.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/8/2003belt conveyorenergy consumptionunit energy consumptionconveyor loadtheoretical capacity
spellingShingle Mirosław Bajda
Leszek Jurdziak
Zbigniew Konieczka
Impact of Monthly Load Variability on the Energy Consumption of Twin Belt Conveyors in a Lignite Mine
Energies
belt conveyor
energy consumption
unit energy consumption
conveyor load
theoretical capacity
title Impact of Monthly Load Variability on the Energy Consumption of Twin Belt Conveyors in a Lignite Mine
title_full Impact of Monthly Load Variability on the Energy Consumption of Twin Belt Conveyors in a Lignite Mine
title_fullStr Impact of Monthly Load Variability on the Energy Consumption of Twin Belt Conveyors in a Lignite Mine
title_full_unstemmed Impact of Monthly Load Variability on the Energy Consumption of Twin Belt Conveyors in a Lignite Mine
title_short Impact of Monthly Load Variability on the Energy Consumption of Twin Belt Conveyors in a Lignite Mine
title_sort impact of monthly load variability on the energy consumption of twin belt conveyors in a lignite mine
topic belt conveyor
energy consumption
unit energy consumption
conveyor load
theoretical capacity
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/8/2003
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AT leszekjurdziak impactofmonthlyloadvariabilityontheenergyconsumptionoftwinbeltconveyorsinalignitemine
AT zbigniewkonieczka impactofmonthlyloadvariabilityontheenergyconsumptionoftwinbeltconveyorsinalignitemine