Bulk Material Transport and Handling Systems

Any loose and unpacked material such as sand, crushed stones, blasted coal or rock mass, powdered material are referred to as bulk material. Raw materials for most of the industries are bulk materials. Mining and metallurgical industries are involved in large scale handling of bulk materials. Agriculture, food, textile, and construction industries also use bulk materials. The handling operation of bulk materials include transferring, transporting, size reduction, screening, storing, disposal, drying, weighing, etc. Such operations use different techniques and equipment depending on the characteristics of the material being handled, the quantity being handling and the degree of safety and quality to be maintained. The mining activities is basically bulk material handling. Advanced technology involving application of GPS, tracking using radio frequency are now used in bulk material handling. Advanced Management techniques are applied to optimize the performance of bulk material handling system. Thus to use operation research, management theory to the benefit of the mining industry it is essential to properly understand the technology available and deployed in bulk material handling.

This course Bulk Material Handling covers the industrial materials handling machinery and brings out various aspects of their constructions, safe operation, maintenance, and repair. The topics include conveyors, feed and discharge devices, screens, and crushers, and bulk material storage systems.
Bulk material properties and flow patterns are examined to help develop methods for improving stockpile design, blending/mixing accuracy and preventing segregation in bins, feeders and chutes.
Students will develop the skill of systematic thinking to select components of bulk material handling system for specific situations for optimal performance.