A vibrating feeder is a critical piece of equipment in coal handling plants, responsible for uniformly feeding bulk materials like coal into processing or conveying systems. In a coal handling plant, vibrating feeders are mainly used for the following functions.

Application of vibrating feeder in coal handling plant

1. Feeding Coal from Storage

Vibrating feeders are placed under coal hoppers, bunkers, or silos to extract coal stored in large quantities. These feeders ensure a smooth, controlled, and continuous flow of coal to the conveyors or crushers for further processing.

2. Pre-Screening Coal

Some vibrating feeders come with screening capabilities, allowing them to separate large-sized coal particles from smaller ones or to remove unwanted materials like rocks and debris before the coal reaches the crushers or conveyors.

3. Preventing Blockages

Vibrating feeders help prevent blockages or bridging in the hoppers or bunkers by ensuring an even distribution of coal across the feeder’s surface, avoiding irregular material flow. This steady flow reduces the chance of equipment overloading and improves the efficiency of downstream processes.

4. Controlling Material Flow Rate

In coal handling plants, it’s crucial to control the rate of coal feeding to match the processing system’s capacity. Vibrating feeders are often equipped with adjustable speed settings, allowing operators to regulate the flow of coal according to the plant's requirements.

5. Maintaining a Uniform Coal Stream

The vibrating action of the feeder ensures that coal particles are uniformly distributed across the width of the conveyor belt or crusher inlet. This uniform flow minimizes the risk of material segregation and improves the efficiency of coal handling.

6. Durability and Handling Heavy Loads

Vibrating feeders are designed to withstand the harsh operating conditions of coal handling plants, including exposure to dust, heavy loads, and frequent vibrations. The feeders are typically robust and can handle large volumes of coal over extended periods without significant wear or failure.

Working Principle of Vibrating Feeders in Coal Handling

Vibratory Motion: Vibrating feeders operate by creating vibrations using an eccentric motor or electromagnetic mechanism. These vibrations cause the material (coal) to move in small jumps or a continuous flow along the feeder's surface.

Gravity and Vibration: Gravity plays a role in the initial movement of the material, and the vibrations control its flow. The vibrating motion minimizes friction between the coal and the surface of the feeder, ensuring smooth transportation.

Feeder Controls: The speed of coal flow can be controlled by adjusting the amplitude and frequency of the vibrations, enabling precise control over the feeding rate.

Common Applications in Coal Handling Plants

Feeding Coal to Crushers: Vibrating feeders deliver coal directly to crushers at a controlled rate, allowing them to process the material without overloading.

Feeding Coal to Conveyor Belts: In many cases, vibrating feeders load coal onto conveyor belts that transport the material to other areas within the plant, such as storage, processing, or the boiler house.

Feeding Coal to Screening Plants: Some feeders may also deliver coal to screening machines that separate coal by size before further processing.

In summary, vibrating feeders in coal handling plants ensure efficient and controlled feeding of coal to various processing equipment, reducing the chances of blockages, improving material flow, and maintaining overall plant efficiency.