Direct Combustion Conveyor Belt Deicer

Ice and frost can be removed from conveyor belts very efficiently by applying a direct flame to the moving belt surface. This belt de-icer concept is comparable to passing your finger through a candle flame. You do not feel the heat of the flame because your finger moves quickly. This concept, on a larger scale, will de-ice and or dry a conveyor belt very safely as long as the equipment is of a fail-safe design, shutting down instantly when the belt movement ceases and located so that escaping heat does not come in contact with anything that may be damaged, and does not retain enough heat after shut down that would be damaging to the belt.

The use of a direct flame to remove frost and ice from conveyor belts has been around as long as conveyor belts have been used in mining in cold climates. Until the invention of the Thermo-Tech belt heater, flame application was typically delivered by a salamander, propane weed burner, or some type of open container for holding diesel fuel or kerosene placed under the belt that required constant monitoring by a person. These systems can be dangerous and numerous belt fires have occurred as a result of insufficient monitoring. The Thermo-Tech belt heater design utilizes a fail-safe shut down system and components that are UL / CSA certified. MSHA allows the use of these heaters on conveyor belts located above ground. The MSHA investigative report MRS No. 010104, Date May 2, 1994, details installation parameters that must be strictly adhered to.

The principle of applying a direct flame works on small, slow-moving belts as well as the largest belt moving at the fastest speed. This formula is applying the heat over a long enough distance on the moving belt surface to prevent conveyor ice, melt the ice or evaporate any moisture present. For example, a belt moving at 300 feet per minutes requires the heat be applied over a distance of about 24 inches to melt ice under typical conditions. A belt traveling at 1200 feet per minute requires the heat be applied over a distance of 9 inches to achieve the same result as shown in the illustrations below. The maximum flame temperature is around 1700 deg F / 927 deg C, yet there are absolutely no adverse effects on the conveyor belt from this very brief application of heat. The direct combustion conveyor belt de-icer method is a proven and effective means of to prevent conveyor ice and melt conveyor ice.