Capsule pipeline transport using an electromagnetic drive

Abstract

Development of our electromagnetic capsule pipeline system was initiated by the desire of the Florida Phosphate Industry to find a cost effective way to reduce the environmental impact of conventional transportation of their very large quantities of material. Typical ore applications would use an underground pair of 610 mm diameter pipes for outbound and returning capsules, and would typically carry 10 millions tons per year over a distance of 2 to 50 km. Preliminary economic studies have shown a satisfactory return on capital and have resulted in a willingness of the phosphate industry to undertake a significant R&D program. A demonstration project which uses a linear synchronous motor to move capsules has been constructed at IMC-Global, a phosphate mining company in Lakeland, FL. The demonstration project utilizes 275 m of 610 mm diameter centrifugal cast fiberglass pipe, and contains a 60 m long accelerator/decelerator section, a switch, and load and unload stations. The test vehicle traverses back and forth, obtaining a peak speed of 18 m/s. The 2.4 m wheelbase vehicle uses six-wheel assemblies at each end of a rotating hopper, and has a payload capacity of 270 kg. The paper reports on the performance of the system during the test program carried out to date in which the basic feasibility of the design has been demonstrated. Plans are described for the follow-on test program intended to provide an indication of component lifetimes. Results from an economic model are presented and show the potential for an attractive return on investment for future applications in the phosphate and other ore transport industries.