**Apron Feeders in Mining: A Comprehensive Overview**
**Introduction to Apron Feeders**
● What is an Apron Feeder?
○ An apron feeder, also known as a pan feeder, is a mechanical
type of feeder used in material handling operations.
○ Its primary purpose is to transfer material to other equipment or
extract material (such as ore or rock) from storage stockpiles,
bins, or hoppers at a controlled rate of speed.
○ Apron feeders find applications in primary, secondary, and
tertiary (reclaiming) operations within mineral processing
circuits.
**Advantages of Apron Feeders**
1.Precise Feed Control
○ Aprons prevent material from choking downstream equipment by
providing better feed control.
○ Ensures smooth material flow and prevents bottlenecks.
2.Shock Absorption
○ The shallow bed design allows apron feeders to absorb the
impact of loading material directly, minimizing wear.
○ Ideal for handling heavy and abrasive materials.
3.Versatility
○ Apron feeders can handle various dry or wet materials of
different sizes uniformly.
○ Flexibility in applications: primary, secondary, and reclaiming
operations.
**Tractor Chain Style Apron Feeders**
● Components of Tractor Chain Style Apron Feeders:
○ Undercarriage chain, rollers, and tail wheels (like those used in
bulldozers and excavators).
○ Polyurethane seals prevent abrasive materials from entering
internal pin and bushing, reducing wear.
○ Heat-treated chain links for increased service life.
○ Quieter operation due to reduced noise pollution.
● Benefits:
○ Increased reliability and uptime.
○ Fewer spare parts and less maintenance.
○ Better feed control, leading to minimal bottlenecks.
Applications of Apron Feeders
○ Primary Crushing and Material Handling: Apron feeders are
commonly used in mining operations to transport raw materials
from the primary crusher to downstream processing equipment.
They ensure a steady and controlled feed rate, optimizing the
efficiency of the crushing process.
○ Loading Hoppers and Stockpile Reclaim: Apron feeders are
utilized to load material into hoppers or reclaim material from
stockpiles. They are particularly useful in applications where
large volumes of material need to be handled and stored
efficiently.
○ Blending and Homogenization: Apron feeders can be used in
blending and homogenization processes, where different
materials are mixed together to achieve a consistent and
uniform composition. The controlled material flow of apron
feeders ensures precise blending and homogenization.
○ Other Material Handling Applications: Apron feeders are also
employed in industries such as cement, fertilizer, power
generation, and chemical. They are used for various material
handling tasks, including feeding raw materials to kilns,
transporting coal to boilers, and handling bulk materials in
processing plants.
○
**Installing Apron Feeders on an Incline**
Installing Apron Feeders on an Incline
Contrary to popular belief, apron feeders can be installed on an incline.
Here are the added benefits:
Improved Flow: Inclined installation allows better material flow.
Space Optimization: It saves horizontal space, especially in tight layouts.
Reduced Wear: Material slides more smoothly, reducing wear and tear.
Source(s)
1. apron feeder used in mining amalgamation|Mining Equipment – Northern Heavy
Industries Group Co., Ltd.
2. apron feeder used in mining amalgamation|Mining Equipment – Northern Heavy
Industries Group Co., Ltd.
3. apron feeder used in mining amalgamation|China Apron Feeder Mining Factory and
Suppliers, Manufacturers Direct ...
4. apron feeder used in mining amalgamation|Mining Weekly - Iron-ore miner gets new
apron feeder
5. apron feeder used in mining amalgamation|Apron Feeders, Apron Feeder Manufacture,
Apron Feeder Supplier —Henan ...
6. apron feeder used in mining amalgamation|The Solution On The Faults of Apron
Feeder
7. apron feeder used in mining amalgamation|Apron Feeder Machine for Coal in Crushing
Plants - China Feeder and ...
8. Feeding the facts: Apron feeder basics - Metso
9. Apron Feeder High-strength, heavy-duty productive processing - FLSmidth
10. Apron Feeders - BEUMER Group
11. Apron Feeders - Mining Life
Components and Working Principle: The main components of
an apron feeder include the drive system, chains,
pans/flights, and support structure. The drive system
provides the necessary power to move the chains and pans.
The chains are responsible for moving the pans, which carry
the material. The material is loaded onto the pans, and as
the chains move, the material is transported to the desired
location.
