Forecasting blockades of conveyor transfer points based on vibrodiagnostics

• Published in: Measurement : journal of the International Measurement Confederation 2023-07, Vol.216, p.112884, Article 112884
• Main Authors: Bortnowski, Piotr, Doroszuk, Blazej, Krol, Robert, Marasova, Daniela, Moravic, Marek, Ozdoba, Maksymilian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chute; Conveyor belt; Spectral entropy; State monitoring; Transfer point
• ISSN: 0263-2241; 1873-412X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.measurement.2023.112884

The transfer points between conveyors are crucial elements of the infrastructure that determine the capacity of the transport system. The correct design of the ore transfers determines the steady and stable feed of the material to the receiving conveyor. Branch conveyors transporting material before the pre-crushing stage are exposed to blockages caused by a large fragment of ore or other elements (pieces of wood or rock bolts). In addition to costly breakdowns, transfer blockages can destroy conveyor belts or structures. The article presents research results on the possibility of monitoring the work state using the vibration diagnostics. The results prove that the recorded signal has characteristics that distinguish the signal recorded during regular operation from the signal from the moment of blocking the transfer point. The article proposes the possibility of using an automated monitoring work state based on a neural network detecting spectral entropy signal anomalies. •Vibrodiagnostics monitoring of transfer point blockages is possible.•The characteristic features of the signal were detected and analyzed.•A method for detecting blockade states based on spectral entropy was developed.•Automated detection process using the RNN network.•The alarm starts before the transfer point is fully blocked.