JPH0248326A - Method of removing sticky oil sand - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To effectively remove an oil sand layer from a moving conveyor belt by shearing the oil sand layer, and pressing a device for loosening this layer to the oil sand layer. CONSTITUTION: In tearing off a sticky oil sand layer from the main surface of a moving conveyor belt 1, the oil sand layer is torn off by applying rotatable disks 8 arranged at intervals in a V-shaped linear row in a cleaning device 2 to the belt surface, so that the oil sand layer can be effectively separated and removed from this belt 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for removing sticky, hardened and compacted oil sand layers from a conveyor belt.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention was developed to solve problems associated with transporting oil sands from the mine side to industrial plants where hydrocarbons are extracted.

Approximately 300,000 tons of oil sands are mined per day at Applicant's commercial oven-pit oil sands mining site in Canada's Atavas region. The mined oil sands are then transported to a remote extraction plant where asphalt is recovered from the oil sands using hydrothermal extraction methods.

The distance from the mining site to the oil sands is approximately 5.5
Normally, it must be transported approximately 1 km.

As-mined oil sands contain asphalt water, quartz sand, and clay. Oil sand "ores" are classified as "rich,""average," or "lean," depending on their asphalt content. For average ore, 84% sand, 11% asphalt by weight 5
It can be analyzed to % water by weight. Oil sands have different physical properties depending on the ore grade.

As for its physical properties, oil sand has both abrasiveness and cohesiveness depending on its quartz content or asphalt content, respectively. When dry, oil sands harden but remain sticky due to their clay content. Additionally, external factors such as changes in ambient temperature or changes in density due to snow or rain act to further change the stickiness of the oil sands.

The oil sand is placed on the conveyor row without being leveled flat. As a result, the weight of the oil sand is applied to the conveyor belt, and vibrations are generated in the conveyor device, resulting in compaction of the underlying oil sand layer that is directly attached to the belt.

This hardened oil sand becomes a solidified mass several centimeters thick. This layer remains on the belt even after the belt is unloaded. As the belt moves under compressive stress over the tensioning snap pulleys of the conveyor, this layer becomes further compacted. This hardened and compacted sticky oil sand layer is hereinafter referred to as the "oil sand layer".
It is called.

Furthermore, in addition to the sticky layer on the load carrying side of the belt, some amount of oil sands accumulates in a similar layer on the underside of the belt loops. This is oil sand that fell on the underside of the return trip.

Typically, the oil sand layer grows to a thickness of about 0.5 inches (1.27 centimeters). This results in a condition called "peeling" of the belt from the downward facing surface. More specifically, one layer of oil sands separates or peels off from another layer, and the "peeling layer" falls to the ground. Since this "peeling" does not occur until the layer is of significant thickness, the weight of the growing layer before peeling occurs has a significant negative impact on conveyor power draw requirements. In addition, cleaning becomes a serious problem as a large amount of accumulated "stripping layer" must be removed from beneath the conveyor belt. For example, at the aforementioned applicant's business plant, four front-end loaders equipped with power rakes (fork-shaped tools) are operated 24 hours a day to remove peeling materials. It will be appreciated that it is not uncommon for conveyor belt support frames to suffer damage when using these rakes.

The problem becomes more serious in the summer as the oil sands become more sticky to the belt.

It is not desirable to constantly carry unnecessary loads on the belt. Carrying this unnecessary weight also causes the belt to go off track.

Currently, prior art methods attempting to solve this problem do not allow diesel oil to be applied to the surface of the belt.
To prevent oil sand from forming on the belt,
Solutions are turning to spraying water (or a mixture of water and glycol in winter) at the layer to remove it.

The inherent drawbacks with the first solution are that diesel oil is expensive, harmful to the belt, and is a fire hazard. The latter solution is not only less effective, but also more expensive, for example, glycol alone costs millions of dollars per year.

Therefore, there is a need for a better method for removing compacted oil sand layers from belts. It is desired that such a method be effective and inexpensive throughout the year, eliminating the requirement to use expensive solutions.

In the prior art, mechanical devices have been proposed for cleaning belt conveyors. For example, A, 5earl
No. 3,047°133, US Pat. No. 3,430,758 issued to ES, and J.K.

See that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,540,573 issued to Keim. However, these conventional devices are not effective in addressing oil sands problems. If these devices were used, the abrasive nature of the oil sand would cause severe wear, and the equipment would become clogged with oil sand.

[Summary of the Invention] The present invention effectively removes oil sands from a moving conveyor belt by pressing a special device against the oil sands that acts to shear the oil sands and loosen the core layer. It has been discovered that it can be removed.

More particularly, the invention consists of rotatable discs spaced in a pair of linear rows forming a figure seven. These disks are placed at an angle to the direction of belt travel. Preferably, the apex of the figure 7 is located in the center of the belt. As the belt advances, the disc rotates and the peripheral edge of the disc separates the hardened material from the belt. The disk is generally dish-shaped with a concave surface toward the upper end of the belt. This disc assembly is attached to a frame.

Means are provided in conjunction with the frame to support the frame and force the disk into engagement with the oil sand layer with the desired contact pressure.

The device operates to remove the oil sand layer from both the top and bottom of the belt.

Briefly, the present invention is a method for shearing a sticky oil sand layer from a major surface of a moving conveyor belt, the invention comprises a method for shearing a sticky oil sand layer from a major surface of a moving conveyor belt, the method comprises: The present invention provides a method characterized in that the oil sand layer is sheared by applying a plate to the belt surface to separate the oil sand layer from the belt.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the accompanying drawings, a method for separating oil sands J'lA from a moving conveyor belt 1 is shown. - Layer To explain in detail, as shown in FIG. 1, the cleaning device 2 is suspended and pressed into the layer A. This cleaning device cuts into the sticky layer and acts to break up the core layer and cause it to fall off the belt.

The cleaning device 2 includes a frame 3, winch means 4 for raising and lowering the frame 3, and a pair of disk rows 5 attached to the frame 3 and cutting into the oil sand layer A.

The frame 3 is approximately rectangular and is dimensioned to extend across the conveyor heald l.

Brackets 6 are attached to the corners of the frame 3,
It is adapted to be connected to winch means 4.

A winch means 4 (not shown in its entirety) is provided for raising and lowering the frame 3. The winch means 4 suspends the frame 3 and presses the frame against the layer A. Try to match it.

In the present invention, a linear array 5 of spaced rotatable discs 8 is provided.
A ■-shaped array 7 is used. More specifically, a pair of obliquely oriented rotating shafts 9 are mounted on the frame 3. The inner end of each of the pair of shafts 9 is connected to the belt 1.
The 7 characters meet at the center of the vertices. The discs 8 are rotatably mounted on a shaft 9, and each disc 8 is generally dish-shaped with a concave surface facing upward. As the belt 1 advances, the disc 8 rotates and its peripheral edge cuts into the oil sand IA, breaking up the core layer and separating it from the belt 1.

A spacer 10 is installed between the discs 8 on the shaft 9,
This is so that loose mud, etc. can be driven out of it using centrifugal force.

When the cleaning device 2 of the present invention is used on the load conveying surface of the belt, the cleaning device 2 acts to direct the separated oil sand toward the center of the belt, where the oil sand becomes part of the load. Become.

For use on the underside of the belt, the cleaning device 2 is used with a chevron doctor blade placed across the belt;
The oil sands should be sent to the side.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus utilized in carrying out the method of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows the device of FIG. 1 in operating condition. 1...Conveyor belt, 2...Cleaning equipment W, 3...
・Frame, 4... winch means, 5... disk row,
8... Disc, 9... Rotating shaft.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A method of stripping a sticky oil sand layer from the major surface of a moving conveyor belt by applying rotatable disks spaced in a V-shaped linear row to the belt surface. A method comprising stripping an oil sand layer and separating the oil sand layer from the belt.