LCA of a belt conveyor and its application

Abstract

As transportation machines, belt conveyors are part of intralogistics. Intralogistics is branch of logistics which is a much broader concept. In the field of bulk material handling belt conveyors are the most common means of transportation of goods. This research is dealing with the life cycle assessment (LCA) of a bucket wheel excavator (BWE) belt conveyor. It should establish methodology for LCA analyses of such short and similar types of belt conveyors and their possible eco and energy efficiency improvements. Generally, this methodology could be applied on any type of belt conveyors for bulk material handling as well as for solids transportation. Belt conveyor components were analysed separately within series of simplified LCAs which are presented in scientific papers. The first analysed component of the belt conveyor was the belt conveyor idler. The next component of belt conveyor subjected to analysis was the drive pulley. Further research was focused on analysis of the belt conveyor belting. The most recent analysed component is belt conveyor electric motor. Previously published paper related to conveyor design optimization can serve as source of definitions for such terms as sustainability, energy efficiency and energy savings. Latest research is dealing with summarized results from previous papers and with simplified LCA of a complete belt conveyor as well. It also contains recommendations, guidelines and possible solutions for eco and energy efficiency improvements of such type of belt conveyors. This series of simplified LCAs should provide a basis for further analysis and more comprehensive complete LCA of the belt conveyor with more powerful software tools, such as GaBi and SimaPro.