SUPERFORT BV ROS ‘K’

Details

Type and specification of Fenner Dunlop belt supplied

Superfort EP 315/2 4+2 BV ROS ‘K’ fire and oil resistant

Current operating life of Fenner Dunlop belt:

3 years+

Average life of competitor’s belt – months

Less than 12 months

This large fertilizer producer in France were experiencing frequent splice joint failures and belt delamination problems. There were also tracking issues caused by the belt swelling as a result of oil absorption. The conveyor carried ammonium nitrate (33.5% density). The temperature of the nitrate was 80°C so a special coating was sprayed onto the nitrate in a mixer to cool the product before it was deposited onto the conveyor belt. The coating solution contained waxes, oils and other chemicals such as amines. The conveyor was critical to the output of the plant so the frequent problems with splices and delamination caused a significant loss of production output.

In an effort to solve the problems, the plant had tried using belts supplied by two different European manufacturers. When the problems continued, they worked in conjunction with Fenner Dunlop. Samples of the fertilizer product and the competitor’s belt (60mm X 30mm) were sent to the laboratory in Drachten. The belt sample and a sample of Superfort BV ROS ‘K’ were immersed in glass jars containing the special solution and placed in an oven at 80ºC for two weeks. After this time, the samples were taken out of the oven to be checked and weighed. It was discovered that the special coating, especially its amine content, required a higher level of oil resistance. Based on these findings, the Fenner Dunlop technicians recommended the installation of a Fenner Dunlop Superfort BV ROS ‘K’ EP315/2 4+2 fire and oil-resistant belt. The recommendations were accepted, and the new belt was fitted.

Since that installation more than three years ago, there have been no splice or tracking issues and no delamination problems. The belt continues to run perfectly and still looks in excellent condition. The cost of belt repairs, premature replacements and unplanned stoppages has fallen dramatically while productivity has noticeably increased.