Bulk Handling Case Study
SPDC, a logistics company and port operator, aimed to expand its port activities to include refining raw cane sugar for distribution and sale in local Middle East markets. SPDC required a solution to transfer raw cane sugar from a container ship to a bulk storage warehouse approximately 400 metres away. The conveyor system needed to achieve a peak throughput rate of 1,000 tonnes per hour (TPH).
If you are looking for a intallation and integration partner to develop or improve your bulk handling systems, Robson Handling technology are experts in offering turnkey solutions that deliver efficiency with bespoke solutions that work for you. Contact our friendly and experienced team today.
Port Unloading System Purpose:
- Expansion of business operations
- Improve bulk handling transport
Port Unloading System Key Features:
- Design, construction, transport and installation of a 370m long, 1,400mm wide trough belt conveyor system
- Installation of warehouse internal tripper conveyor system
Solution with Robson Handling Technology:
Working with the client-appointed Engineering contractor, Robson Handling Technology supplied a raw sugar conveying solution to transfer sugar from the ship under loaders into the raw materials warehouse. The solution included the supply of conveyors, shipping, installation, commissioning, and spares.
Robson Handling Technology built the head and tail ends of the conveyors in the UK to ensure high-quality and reliability standards were met; the support structures and intermediate sections were supplied locally.
The reason for the split manufacturing was twofold, firstly to keep shipping costs to a minimum, and secondly, to provide economic stimulus to the local supply chain. This was a key element in Robson winning the contract.
Robson has built a project management team with the international capability to successfully manage overseas fabrication projects to rigorous quality standards and project timelines. This, coupled with our ability to supply installation and commissioning, ensured a smooth installation process that was on time and exceeded the client’s requirements.
Bulk Handling Case Study Results:
Robson designed, delivered and installed a 370m long, 1,400mm wide trough belt conveyor system that included a magnet separator to remove tramp ferrous material and an inline weighing solution, 200kW drive and sugar fines filtration at the transfer point. The filtration system was a specific requirement due to local regulations and nuisance dust generated by previous port operations.
The whole conveyor raised the raw sugar from dockside level to a height of 22m so that the material was presented at a suitable height for onward transfer into the warehouse.
Robson also provided the warehouse's internal tripper conveyor system; this conveyor discharged raw sugar at various positions within the rectangular warehouse to ensure even stockpiling of the raw materials.
To ensure disruption to ongoing port operations was kept to a minimum, the initial conveyor section was elevated to 6m height to provide vehicle access under the conveyor, which allowed normal operations to continue. The whole scheme was designed considering the local climatic conditions with a wide temperature range and humidity range, along with being in a saliferous atmosphere.
The complete conveyor was supplied with a covered walkway to allow maintenance access and prevent external raw sugar contamination.