A polyamide conveyor belt is required to transport crushed rocks at a distance of 10 ft at a speed of 3 ft/sec. The maximum weight of the cruched rock on the belt is 150 lb and the coefficient of static friction between the belt and the rock is 0.12. Design a flat belt drive. Assume a gearbox reduces the speed from a 10-hp electric motor running at 1750 rpm to the belt drive.

An external consultant recommends that a plant installs a bank of capacitors for power factor correction. this will reduce the peak electrical demand charges by an average of 93 kw every month. the plant current pays $13 per kw in peak demand charges. the capacitor bank will include 223 kw of fixed capacitors, and 183 of variable capacitors. the fixed capacitors cost $59 per kw, and the variable capacitors will cost $65 per kw. the consultant charges 21% of the equipment costs to install the capacitors. because this project will reduce the demand for the electric utility, they are prepared to provide a one-time rebate of $42 per kw of reduced demand. what is the simple payback period for this project (in years)?