Lnwi Conveyor System

The layout of LNWI Conveyor System is designed with swift setup in mind. Unlike many hard rock projects, EPB tunnels are relatively shallow and begin from an open cut. The use of a LNWI Conveyor System set up at the surface can allow for initial use of the system at startup without having to mine a long starter tunnel. With all components pre-assembled in place at the surface, switching from an initial muck box setup to continuous conveyor often takes a day or less. Crews simply pull the belt onto the system to start mining. By comparison, installation of a rail muck car system can take much longer. Once mining begins, reliability and system availability of a LNWI Conveyor System are typically much greater. Even in tunnels using up to five muck trains and multiple California switches, the time required to remove muck from the tunnel cannot compare to conveyor muck removal. In addition, muck cars generally require a much higher level of routine maintenance.

Variable ground is very often a given in soft ground tunnels. One project can range from weathered rock to sand to clays with changing permeability and ground water. Injection of additives through the cutterhead, such as bentonite, foam, or polymer, can aid in consolidation of muck and eliminate many of the problems associated with conveying fluidized muck. Maintenance of a smooth flow through the cutterhead and screw conveyor onto the belt conveyor system minimizes belt stoppage and material spillage.