Testimonial/Case Study (2)
U-CON conveying comes of age

The universal locking, multi-directional, dry bulk conveying system - U-CON - has now had eight years of development and operation in many varied applications. It is based on five separate inventions patented world-wide. The project was first developed in Sweden, but at end-1998 all rights and knowledge was acquired by AS-C of Stockport, England.

This system has now been incorporated into the AS-C family of technology, making it one of the world's foremost authorities on specialist belt conveying systems. AS-C now offers a complete range of enclosed, environmentally friendly handling solutions covering conveying, shiploading and ship unloading.

The basis of the U-CON concept is a belt with patented special qualities, a manufactured flat belt, but with built-in special crosswise fibres. The effect is that the folded belt creates a well defined flat package (U-CON Q) with a locking rib, or triangular box (U-CON DELTA), enclosing and conveying the material. For vertical transport, cleats can be used. The other parts of the belt are elastic, enabling the folded belt to pass in narrow curves and being easily twisted through 45/90/180 degrees, as required.

Functional design aims of the U-CON have now been achieved and include:

• the ability to negotiate narrow curves; down to less than 1m radius, depending on belt size
• inclined and vertical transport; up, down and horizontal combined in the same single conveyor
• to safely convey a very wide range of materials; from heavy ores to light powder, lumps (size limited), friable or abrasive fluidised or lumpy in all directions
• enclosed sealed leak-free transport; protecting both environment and material
• the DELTA version allows handling of lumpy bulk materials in an enclosed simple and cost effective system.

Other advantages to the operator include:

• low explosion risk (sugar, grain, fertiliser, etc)
• kindness to material by eliminating transfers and free falling; for example in the " Hold-in-One" shiploading/unloading system
• virtually dust free operation
• saving on power and control systems
• capacity regulation through single variable speed control
• simplified and smaller structural steel gantries required than for conventional conveying systems.

As with any new system the original U-CON systems encountered a number of early teething problems in extended operation. Belt material specification and build quality were found to be inferior in early versions, resulting in occasional belt failure and leakage. These shortcomings have been corrected by close co-operation and product development with users, belt manufactures and AS-C's engineers.

On acquiring the technology, AS-C immediately initiated a year of comprehensive R&D coupled with extensive field trails to iron out these problems and ensure a proven reliable system for the market. New components are now used, fabrication methods have been comprehensively revised and the belt architecture has been modified to improve performance reliability and power consumption.

A new locking rib with interlocking male and female portion grips has been extensively tested in operation. Sealing arrangements and life expectancy have been dramatically improved, and the potential for belt damage reduced by modifications to the feed section.

Experience is now available for a wide range of materials from heavy iron ore to light grains, easy flowing alumina to slow flowing materials such as vacuum salt and fertilisers.

Bulk terminals will benefit significantly from application of the U-CON system, particularly loading and unloading of dry bulk from ships where it will complement and extend the range covered by the well-known SIMPORTER, which has been in use for over 20 years.

In addition to the U-CON Q, and DELTA mentioned earlier, one essential model in the range is the "Hold-in-One", where the quayside belt and the loader or unloader belt is one and the same, that is, a single transfer free conveying system. Capacity range is 200-2000m³/hour.

The "Hold-in-One" is the only system that lowers the material conveyed to the bottom of the ships hatch, avoiding any damage to the product. This is particularly beneficial when handling friable products like malting barley, malt, peas, seeds, etc.

For industrial purposes such as chemicals, plastics, PFA's, grains, pellets, cement, coal, ores; smaller capacities can also be catered for. The U-Con DELTA is ideal for enclosed straight line, horizontal and inclined conveying of lumpy bulk materials.

AS-C is currently developing its new "Sideliner System", also using the U-CON belt, but in a new arrangement which will mean further reduction of cost and increased efficiency.

There is more to come from AS-C that will benefit port and industrial users alike. Meanwhile, more information can be obtained from:-
AS-C Projects Limited at: Tel: +44 161 428 8600,
Fax: +44 161 428 1112,
or by Email: as-c@as-c.co.uk

Testimonial/Case Study (1)

Testimonial/Case Study (3)