Subtopic: Fluidization of granular solids – pneumatic, bucket, screw and belt conveying
Question Statement:
A flat belt conveyor moves grain with bulk density $750\text{ kg/m}^3$ at a linear belt speed of $1.6\text{ m/s}$. If the effective cross-sectional area of the grain stream on the belt is $0.025\text{ m}^2$, the conveying capacity of the belt conveyor in tonnes per hour ($\text{t/h}$) is ________ (answer in integer).
Answer Key:
108
Step-by-Step Solution & Explanation
1. Mass conveying rate per second:
$\dot{m} = A \cdot v \cdot \rho_b = 0.025\text{ m}^2 \times 1.6\text{ m/s} \times 750\text{ kg/m}^3 = 30.0\text{ kg/s}$
2. Capacity in tonnes per hour:
$Q = \frac{30.0\text{ kg/s} \times 3600\text{ s/h}}{1000\text{ kg/t}} = 108.0\text{ t/h}$