Eliminating screens using a perforated wet belt and system and method for cement cooling

Abstract

The present disclosure involves a system and methods for eliminating rinse and dewatering rescreens while cooling coarse aggregates, including in one embodiment a perforated wet belt conveyance system. According to another embodiment disclosed herein, a system and method for cooling cement is also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for the conveyance of particulate material on a conveyor having a first conveyor belt, said apparatus comprising:
 a frame comprising a longitudinal member;   at least one pulley head rotatably attached to axles mounted on the frame;   the first conveyor belt comprising an endless belt extending between and around the at least one pulley head;   a second conveyor belt positioned proximal to said first conveyor belt, said particulate material flowing between said first and said second conveyor belt;   at least one of said first conveyor belt and said second conveyor belt comprising dewatering means; and   at least one of said first conveyor belt and said second conveyor belt comprising a reciprocating belt beater for imparting a force to at least one of said first conveyor belt and said second conveyor belt at regular intervals.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first conveyor belt and the second conveyor belt comprises a rubber material and a nylon material. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the belt beater comprises two reciprocating rollers disposed approximately 180 degrees out of phase. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first conveyor belt is provided at an angle of between approximately 2 degrees and approximately 3 degrees with respect to horizontal. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a belt angle is determined based upon a size of concrete aggregate to be conveyed. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system conveys and cools concrete aggregates, the system being devoid of a dewatering screen. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second conveyor belt is disposed at angle of between approximately fifteen degrees and approximately twenty degrees. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first conveyor belt and the second conveyor belt comprise perforations having a diameter of approximately 0.25 inches and 2.0 inches. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the perforations comprise a hole diameter of approximately 0.50 inches. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus for the conveyance of particulate material on a conveyor, said apparatus comprising:
 a frame comprising a longitudinal member;   at least one pulley head rotatable with respect to the frame;   a first conveyor belt comprising an endless belt extending between and around the at least one pulley head;   a second conveyor belt positioned proximal to said first conveyor belt, said particulate material flowing between said first and said second conveyor belt;   said first conveyor belt comprising a plurality of perforations for dewatering the particulate material; and   at least one of said first conveyor belt and said second conveyor belt comprising a reciprocating belt beater for imparting a force to at least one of said first conveyor belt and said second conveyor belt at regular intervals.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the first conveyor belt and the second conveyor belt comprises a rubber material and a nylon material. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the belt beater comprises two reciprocating rollers disposed approximately 180 degrees out of phase. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the first conveyor belt is provided at an angle of between approximately 2 degrees and approximately 3 degrees with respect to horizontal. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein a belt angle is determined based upon a size of concrete aggregate to be conveyed. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the system conveys and cools concrete aggregates, the system being devoid of a dewatering screen. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the second conveyor belt is disposed at angle of between approximately fifteen degrees and approximately twenty degrees. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the first conveyor belt and the second conveyor belt comprise perforations having a diameter of approximately 0.25 inches and 2.0 inches. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the perforations comprise a hole diameter of approximately 0.50 inches.