Conveyors in Indian Industry

To the poser on naming the greatest inventions by the mankind, it would be apt to name the wheel as one of the marvels. Indeed, from time immemorial, the concept of the circular movement of a wheel has been the index of progress. So much so ‘wheel(s) of progresses’ is an oft-heard term to relate the positive trends of advancement or development. The world has witnessed innumerable applications of the concept of circular motion. It has facilitated easiest and most rapid means of conveyance for any entity. Among these are the conveying systems using belt conveyors that a commoner may see at railway stations, airports and large departmental stores.

Basically, a conveyor system is mode of mechanical handling to move materials from one spot to another. Conveyors are very much useful in the transportation of heavy or bulky materials. The production line in a factory, the mines and the docks at the ports where ships berth to discharge or load bulk cargo like coal, mined ore etc. are more of ready examples on the utility of conveyor systems.

The advantages of conveyor systems are multi-fold:

• Safe transportation of materials from one level/spot to another

• Cost and time saving vis-à-vis the strenuous human labour

• Easy installation

• Capacity to move loads of varying shapes, volumes and weights

There are different types of conveyors such as chain (floor and overhead), line-shaft, belt, and roller. The technique behind all these may vary from mechanical to hydraulic. Since the conveyor system is referred as the lifeline of an industry, its care and maintenance calls for utmost priority. As such the load factor, frequency of the movement etc. must be monitored constantly.

Hence at the outset, the choice of the system merits importance. The ideal option would be to consult a manufacturer of material handling systems or an agency engaged in management of logistics. For instance, an engineering company named Energo India has been active in undertaking turnkey projects with its own manufacturing facilities for systems in materials handling. It has been associated with major global mining companies to provide complete mining solution that includes designing, supply, operation and maintenance of rapid loading conveyor systems for mines, power generation plants, industries, railway yards, ports etc. In these segments, this company fabricates and commissions overland belt conveyors and pipe conveyors, say between mines and the plant.

As for material handling in mega projects, right from mines to processing or manufacturing industries like oil refineries, there has been a great demand for the products and services of valve manufacturers in India. These valves are of varied specifications and applications based on electric, pneumatic or hydraulic actuation with solenoid operation. Some of these are:

• EFA Series Knife Edge Gate Valves

• Ash Extraction Valves

• Butterfly Valves

• Dome Valves

• Metal Seated Valves

• Plug Valves

• Rotary Actuators

• Vacuum Breaker Valves

• Pressure Relief Valves

These valves must be fool-proof since their malfunction could compromise industrial safety and security. So they must be of high standard and quality. Above all, maintenance of these valves is most important.