Stacker-Reclaimer
Compact Solution for Steering a Giant
13.01.2011 | Author / Deskman: R. Closs / Wolfgang Geisler
Belt scale and ultrasonic level system are the eyes and ears of the stacker-reclaimer systems at the EMO dry bulk Terminal in The Netherlands. To ensure accurate measurement of the amount of coal handled, EMO required belt scales with high accuracy and reliable performance in a harsh environment of coal dust.
About one-third of overseas coal for Western Europe is shipped in through Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The vast majority is handled by the EMO terminal located in the Maasvlakte area, a section of the Rotterdam harbor on the North Sea. Specializing in the unloading and storage of iron ore and coal, EMO is Europe‘s largest dry bulk terminal.
Founded in 1973, EMO has grown in capacity to more than 35 million tonnes a year. With a depth of 23 metres (75 feet), the largest ships (350000 dwt) can moor at the terminal under any conditions, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The maximum daily unloading capacity at EMO amounts to about 175000 tonnes of coal, which is handled by four shore-based cranes and a floating crane. EMO offers screening, crushing, blending and washing at rates up to 2000 tonnes per day. It accurately blends various grades of coal to meet the exact requirements of its customers, mainly power plants and steel mills.
Dynamic Weighing Challenge
EMO distributes the coal by rail or water into Germany, France, Belgium and the UK. Recent closure of German coal mines has boosted coal imports. To accommodate this growth EMO has added 20 hectares to its 160 hectare facility and built a sixth stacker-reclaimer, increasing its capacity from 6 to 7 million tonnes. Currently about one-third of all German coal imports come through EMO.
The stacker-reclaimer built by ThyssenKrupp Fördertechnik, is directed by GPS on rail tracks along the different coal stack locations, stocking coal in designated areas and supplying the rail load bunker. A 1.80 metres (6 feet) wide belt conveys the coal at a nominal rate of 4,500 tons per hour, and at a maximum of 6000 tonnes per hour. For efficient operation accurate measurement of the movement of the quantities of material is essential. The accuracy needs to be achieved at high conveyor belt speeds.
EMO and Thyssen-Krupp required belt scales with high accuracy and reliable performance in a harsh environment of coal dust. Being small enough to fit on the stacker-reclaimer boom was an additional requirement. EMO’s experience with a number of belt scales from a variety of suppliers was unsatisfactory, as it found them too bulky and in need of frequent maintenance.
An Accurate, Compact, and Reliable Solution
Siemens recommended its Milltronics MMI belt scale and a Siwarex FTC processor integrated into the Simatic PCS7 process control system. The Siwarex FTC as an integrator module for continuous weighing is designed for direct integration into a Simatic automation system in either central or distributed configurations. Milltronics MMI is a two-idler belt scale for applications that demand high accuracy, such as custody transfer, and for use on applications with fast-moving belts (up to 4 m/s or 800 fpm).
Content of the Article:
- Page 1: Compact Solution for Steering a Giant
- Page 2: Low Cost of Ownership
- Page 3: Conclusion
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