spot_img

TOMRA Mining XRT technology...

TOMRA has installed a first X-Ray Transmission (XRT) sorter at Saloro’s tungsten mine...

Scrap metal ban is...

The SEIFSA Office has noted with concern submissions to the DTIC calling for the extension...

Steel Awards Pan-African Trailblazer...

Innovation, quality and capability are hallmarks of a Pan-Africa trailblazer, and therefore no...

IMDEX BOLT bridges the...

If the maxim in building is measure twice, cut once, then the underground...
HomeMINING & INDUSTRIALSTART WITH CHUTE...

START WITH CHUTE DESIGN TO REDUCE DUST, SAYS WEBA

Many industrial facilities, mines and power stations rely too much on dust suppression and extraction systems, when the real answer is to improve the flow of material through well designed chutes.

This is the considered opinion of Weba Chute Systems technical director Alwin Nienaber, based on decades of experience in this field. His view is that 50% to 80% of the dust problem around conveyors and transfer points can be resolved by applying the right chute system design and positioning equipment correctly.

“Many of the dust suppression and dust extraction systems that are applied in these applications are expected to do more than they are capable of,” says Nienaber. “A preferable approach is to get the chute design right first, and then apply these other systems to deal with the residual dust load.”

He explains that the advantages of doing this extend well beyond the health and safety benefits. He has seen more than a few situations where the dust created by a poorly designed chute can prevent personnel from moving or working in that area. This often prevents the checking or maintenance of critical equipment during operating hours, requiring more downtime to wait – literally – for the dust to settle.

“In examples like this, excessive dust can reduce an operation’s efficiency, so there is an opportunity to improve overall productivity by fixing the dust problem,” he says. “Other equipment in these areas also gets heavily coated with dust, and needs regular cleaning to ensure optimal performance. Cleaning becomes yet another avoidable cost.”

To address excessive dust creation, a good chute design is based on understanding the physics of material flow – and avoiding uncontrolled velocity and impact. A lack of control over the way material flows will degrade the material and create higher levels of aeration – which is what leads to dust dispersal.

“Our philosophy at Weba Chute Systems is to ensure that material flows more easily and remains consolidated as a homogenous stream,” he explains. “We base our designs on the ‘supertube’ effect, which also allows the controlled transfer of material onto the conveyor belt. Not only does this reduce dust, but it also cuts down on the wear rate of the belt itself.”

Get notified whenever we post something new!

Continue reading

TOMRA Mining XRT technology delivers significant grade improvement at Saloro’s tungsten mine

TOMRA has installed a first X-Ray Transmission (XRT) sorter at Saloro’s tungsten mine in Barruecopardo, Spain. The sorter, implemented in the beneficiation stage, is consistently delivering a much higher head grade to the processing plant, significantly reducing costs. Tungsten is...

Scrap metal ban is not working and should not be extended

The SEIFSA Office has noted with concern submissions to the DTIC calling for the extension to the scrap metal export ban which is scheduled to come to an end in December 2023. “SEIFSA’s position has always been that the scrap metal export...

Steel Awards Pan-African Trailblazer sponsor Macsteel supports steel innovation and reinvention across Africa

Innovation, quality and capability are hallmarks of a Pan-Africa trailblazer, and therefore no surprise that Macsteel, a leading manufacturer, merchandiser and distributor of steel and value-added steel products was first in line to take up the highly sought-after Pan-African Trailblazer sponsorship...
spot_img