Integrated energy model for energy requirement estimation in bulk material handling mechanical systems

An integrated energy model to estimate the energy requirement, in stationary operation, of different bulk material handling mechanical systems was presented. The integrated model was developed identifying similarities in the conveyance phenomena between systems, matching them up in four mathematical expressions based on existing models. The total power required by the drive system is estimated as the sum of those expressions. The integrated model was use to determinate the specific energy requirements to convey the material in horizontal and lifting applications. It allows to compare the energy consumption in bucket elevators, screw and belt conveyors, determining the most efficiency system for each application and explaining the differences between energy requirement of each system.