1x CRD ® system installed in New Caledonia

Main Contractor: REI
Customer: LE NICKEL - SLN
Location: KOUAOUA (New Caledonia)
View from the top..
Conveyor characteristics:
  • Downhill conveyor
  • Length: 11 km
  • Drop: - 556 m
  • Material: Nickel ore
  • Rate: 516 tph
  • Belt width: 800 mm
  • Motor power: 1200 kW - 1500 rpm
Stromag France's Braking system description:

This braking system retrofits an existing installation; objective: protect the long distance curved belt conveyor.
  • Brakes: 2 x Stromag France spring applied - hydraulically released SH15 calipers (total torque: 140,000 Nm)
  • Disc: diam. 1700 mm / thick. 35 mm / speed 55 rpm.
  • Braking time: 45s.
  • "M2" option: 24 VDC - 25 A batteries + DC motor on hydraulic unit - allows continuous brake operation in case of Mains failure
  • 100 % humidity equipment rating due to the Inter-tropical site location
  • 5 possible stages of braking operation:

    • Electric retardation (motor braking)
    • Regulated braking (constant deceleration)
    • Reduced torque braking - constant torque (if regulation is impossible)
    • Limited torque braking - high constant torque (if conveyor over speed)
    • Full torque braking (if hydraulic conduit failure)

SH15 caliper mounted on its support AFR5 control enclosure
Recordings
Regulated braking of conveyor from 3,6 m/s down to 0 m/s
Data: Scale, Belt speed and Hydraulic unit pressure
Total braking time: 45 s (mechanical braking)

Comments:
Brakes are hydraulic fail-safe: the higher the unit pressure, the lower the force applied by the caliper - with a linear rule -. Conveyor is not fully loaded, and hydraulic unit pressure stays in the upper range ... Considering conveyor's length of 11km+, results are considered "very good" !