Electric Energy Needs of Belt Conveyors in One of the Polish Lignite Mines - Method of Analysis

The article develops and tests a method for comparing electric energy consumption by belt conveyors operating in a lignite mine. The source of information for creating the comparison method was data about the energy used by conveyors in one of the Polish lignite mines, the amount of transported mass, and the operating times of the conveyors. This data was collected for about 4 years in the mine for two twin conveyors transporting coal from the mine to the power plant. Parameters related to atmospheric conditions were also recorded: temperature and humidity. The measurements were taken at the same time on twin conveyors with standard belts. It can be assumed that any differences in energy consumption did not result from differences in operating conditions. The energy indicator used to transport 1 Mg of coal over a 1-kilometer distance in the analyzed period was calculated. The differences found in energy consumption between the conveyors analyzed were statistically significant. Since the conveyors selected for comparison were twins, it was expected that the result would be a lack of grounds for finding significant differences. It turned out to be otherwise, and this was thoroughly investigated.