Dear Mr. Lombaard,

Many buyers of the system, when distance is long, they do make analysis about the economy of applicable system. However, they make such exercise for their own needs and they never publish such information for the others (because they are business houses). However, in general the economy or acceptability of particular system will mainly depend upon following considerations :

1) Handling rate (mtph).

2) Quantity to be transported annually.

3) Material properties, lump size, etc.

4) Distance of transportation.

5) Availability of land.

6) Geography of the land.

7) Desired protection to the material during conveying / transportation.

8) Immunity of the system against possible theft, sabotage etc.

9) Costs (initial, operational and maintenance).

Regards,

Ishwar G Mulani.

Author of Book : Engineering Science and Application Design for Belt Conveyors.

Author of Book : Belt Feeder Design and Hopper Bin Silo

Advisor / Consultant for Bulk Material Handling System & Issues.

Email : parimul@pn2.vsnl.net.in

Tel.: 0091 (0)20 25882916 ■

If you are looking for information regarding conveying methods you should also look at

www.pneutrans.net for their capsule pipeline system.

Mr. Weaver has done a lot of work with capsule pipelines and he has a spot on his web site that allows you to input all your information

and he gives you a free no obligation quote for his complete system as well

You should also lookat at www.capsu.org

to view the history of capsule pipelines and to read about an esxisting capsule pipeline in Japan that is used to move limestone to a cement plant,

they replaced a railroad wth this system-the mitsui folks develpoed their own system from the ground up just like Mr.Weaver did. ■