Transfer Point Optimisation Key to Measurable Productivity Improvements

CHRISTINE KINDER, Marketing Manager for Kinder Australia.

Today’s evolving bulk materials handling operations are constantly in pursuit of optimal productivity and efficiency. Most handling operations place primary focus on keeping plant and equipment running at faster rates, whilst others accommodate for maximum amount of conveyed material as a measure of the site’s operational productivity.

Mechanical maintenance teams are sensitive and quick to notice a decrease in productivity on site, this often occurs when frequent production down-time occurs over long periods. Other factors affecting production stoppages include cleaning up time due to material spillage and repair to damaged conveyor belt and structure, just to name a few scenarios.

Neil Kinder, CEO Kinder Australia explains “the spotlight is often turned onto maximising performance during these periods of production down-time. In reality, paying time and attention to improving and maximising the effective performance of a plant’s conveyor system can have many long-lasting positive profitability and productivity benefits”.

The core of bulk handling operations relies on transporting materials from one conveyor belt to another in a timely efficient manner, with minimal material spillage, damage to the conveyed material and keeping the structural integrity of the conveyor belt intact all being crucial to the long-term viability of any handling operation.

“A critical element of an effective conveyor system is the Transfer Point”, says Mr Kinder. “By closely identifying, evaluating and optimising existing belt loading, handling plants can reduce
many unpleasant on-site issues mentioned earlier, plus address safety issues of dust emissions. This process all leads to improving and extending the service life of the conveyor belt”, adds Mr Kinder.

Case Study One

Our quarry customer in Ormeau, Queensland sees production capacity at approximately 400,000 tonnes per annum and is involved with handling greywacke with gritty characteristics. The weight pressure of the transferred material loading was causing major conveyor belt sagging issues between the supporting rollers. Belt edge sag allowed the tendency for material to spill through the gaps between the skirting and conveyor belt, general material spillage was also an area for rectification. Small rocks present also had the potential to get caught between the conveyor belt and the skirting, causing premature groove lines on the conveyor belt’s top cover.

The full impact of the conveyed material caused dust emissions, requiring containment and deployment of labour resources to clear up the dust as well as mitigating potential safety hazards and environmental issues.

The quarry addressed the ongoing belt sag issues by installing K-Sure® Belt Support System which helped to control dust emissions and material spillage. The recommended belt support system successfully provided even and consistent support under the belt, utilising low friction UHMWPE slide surface bars instead of rollers. With no moving parts, there was no requirements for replacing rollers in the foreseeable future.

Case Study Two

Similarly, maintenance teams at our Victorian quarry customer reported issues with damaging dust emissions. The transfer point under the tertiary crusher was a source of constant, excessive material spillage and dust emission. Material turbulence generating huge amounts of dust in the tertiary crushing process was ultimately escaping and causing significant emissions from the conveyor belt skirting system.

With a 2.5 metre, vertical impact drop height from the cone crusher and material lump size of minus 60mm provided evidence the conveyed material was pooling. This was due to the material not moving in the direction of the conveyor belt. A combination of conveyor belt sag and inconsistent conveyor idler profile gave way to ineffective skirting system, this inefficiency further aggravated dust emissions and ongoing spillage challenges at the quarry.

“The quarry maintenance team followed Kinder Australia’s recommendation to overhaul the conveyor system by fabricating a new tail section and install K-Impact Belt Support, K-Sure® Belt Support System and K-Ultra Dual® Seal Skirting System”, says Mr Kinder.

Mr Kinder also highlighted “K-Impact Belt Support modular system installation was very successful in stabilising the load at the transfer point which in turn improved material containment, additional maintenance and labour costs were also averted”.

It’s well regarded that transfer points are instrumental for conveyor belt systems running efficiently, integral to this is incorporating an exceptionally designed and executed transfer chute. “The key to measuring efficiency of transfer points involves the requirement for maintenance teams to continually monitor and assess the conveyor system both before and after the load transfer point and make any necessary adjustments”, says Mr Kinder.

Kinder Australia has over time developed an excellent reputation and established a proven history of designing transfer points and engineering solutions that resolves our customers’ most
challenging bulk materials handling problems effectively. Not to mention creating opportunities for further productivity gains, through extension of production assets, minimising shutdowns and labour resources.

Recent additions to Kinder Australia’s product line up include K-Dynamic Belt Support and K-Flexal® Elastic Belt Support System, both expertly engineered and designed to allow better absorption of energy and provide an even weight dispersion of the conveyed bulk material. Additional cost advantages are also realised, such as improved wear life of the conveyor belt and
components and reduction in conveyor belt maintenance costs, which can assist quarry operational bottom line.

Kinder Australia is equipped with a strong team of highly technical, industry knowledgeable Application Specialists and who are eager to provide an in-depth evaluation and recommendation
on transfer point design optimisations that pave the way for measurable productivity and profitability enhancements for your quarry operation.

About Kinder Australia Pty Ltd

For over 30 years Kinder has earned the strong reputation of being a leading global independent supplier and manufacturer of innovative and practical solutions to improve and maintain the running efficiency of conveyor and bulk materials handling equipment used to convey a variety of products that extends to grain, sugar and salt operations, mining and minerals processing,
the extractive and quarrying industry, bulk operations, port and train terminals, as well as timber, paper and pulp plants.

Contact Kinder Australia Pty Ltd
P: +61 3 8587 9111
E: conveyorsolutions@kinder.com.au
W: www.kinder.com.au

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