Speed regulation strategy and algorithm for the variable-belt-speed energy-saving control of a belt conveyor based on the material flow rate

As an important transportation, the belt conveyor has been widely used and researched. It is urgent to solve the problem of energy saving and consumption reduction of belt conveyor. Aiming at reducing high energy consumption in the rated-speed operation of a belt conveyor, the present paper establishes an energy-saving belt-speed model of a belt conveyor using a polynomial regression-fitting algorithm and a small number of sample observations, and proposes a speed regulation strategy and particle swarm optimization–proportional–integral–derivative algorithm for the variable-belt-speed energy-saving control of a belt conveyor based on the material flow rate. The control strategy and algorithm adjust the running speed of the belt conveyor accurately according to changes in the material flow rate, thus reducing damage of frequent speed regulation to the belt conveyor and saving energy. Simulation analysis of a practical case shows that energy-saving belt-speed model, speed regulation strategy, and algorithm effectively reduce the energy consumption of a belt conveyor, and they thus have high application value in coal, ports, power, mine, metallurgy, chemical, and other industries. Further work in this field can be focused on the prediction of material flow rate of belt conveyor, the controllable adjustment duration of algorithm and the reduction of overshoot.