Page 53 - HUB-4 Magazine Issue 93

Quarrying News
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Transfer point chute design with curved and centered loading controls
splashing and turbulent air flow, allowing dust curtains to be more effective.
Case Study – Western Brazil
A bulk handling operation in Brazil, located near a resort area,
was facing public outrage due to dust and spillage that were
staining the beautiful sandy beaches a deep red. The mill was
confronted with daily fines and the risk of closure if the issues
were not resolved.
The main focus was on repairing transfer points, replacing
idlers, and alleviating some of the most significant material
flow bottlenecks. The benefits were numerous. Spillage
decreased from 2.8% to 0.8% of tons conveyed, idler life
increased by 30%, belt life improved by 25%, and safety
incidents and near misses were dramatically reduced.
Operators noticed that most complaints shifted to the need to
mow the grass that grew back underneath the structure.
However, the most significant benefit was the improvement in
conveyor availability, enabling a 33% increase in production
without expanding the raw material yard’s receiving and
storage capacity.
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Grass started growing again under the primary raw material
supply belt after the dust and spillage were eliminated.
Conclusion
Managing fugitive material is a more economically and
operationally sound choice than merely chalking it up as “the
cost of doing business.” The effect that spillage, dust and
carryback have on an operation is a tangible reminder of
unnecessary inefficiency. By working with experts and
installing modern solutions to age-old conveyor problems and
practicing state-of-the-art maintenance, operators can
significantly improve safety in the workplace and dramatically
reduce the cost of operation.
References
[1] Staff; Belt Conveyors for Bulk Materials. Conveyor Equipment
Manufacturers Association (CEMA) 7th edition. 2021
[2] Hubbard, Douglas W.; How to Measure Anything, Finding the Value of
Intangibles in Business. John Wiley & Sons, 2010.
[3] Coscione, Marco; Swinderman, R. Todd; Swinderman Scale of Fugitive
Material Measurement, Measurement of Fugitive Material for Belt
Cleaning Assessment, ENCOM. 2018
www.hub-4.com July/Aug - Issue 93
| p53 |