The installation of BLT WORLD’s ScrapeTec dust suppression systems for conveyor handling, has recently been completed at a wheat and barley storage and ship loading facility
According to the plant manager, the operation required a low-maintenance, long-lasting system to reduce the excessive dust and material spillage at the outdated tail and transfer chutes. Wheat and barley spillage on the floor is dangerous to walk on, which added to the urgency of a solution.
Since the installation of ScrapeTec’s highly-efficient dust suppression system was completed, dust and material spillage problems at the plant are significantly reduced and visibility during intake has improved. No external extraction system is needed and there is no longer the need for extensive cleaning operations and maintenance work on the conveyor belt is minimal.
“Apart from the importance of providing a safe working environment, it is also critical for our customers to preserve the quality of food products. The use of substandard or incorrect grain handling equipment results in kernel damage and deterioration of the grain and seeds,” explains Ken Mouritzen, Managing Director, BLT WORLD. “Our solution for this project comprises 10 m of AirScrape, a meter of TailScrape and 6 m of containment seal. To enhance efficiency of the system, we extended the tail box by a meter behind the drop chute and installed a tail Dustbox and Stainless Steel filter cloth. As we have reduced the air pressure, there is no longer dust or material spillage at the tail box, With this system, excessive air pressure is released through the filter cloth, while dust remains inside the box and drops back into the material flow.
“In front of the chute tunnel is a new 6 meter long, 1.2 m high, 0.6m wide Dustbox, which contains five curtains to supress excessive dust clouds. A Stainless Steel filter cloth has been installed vertically on the left and right sides of the Dustbox – not on the top, front or end. As with the Tailbox, excessive air pressure is released through the vertical Stainless Steel filter cloths, while dust remains inside the Dustbox and drops back into the material stream.
“The AirScrape and TailScrape do not touch the belt surface. With a specially designed diagonal arrangement of hardened lamellas, air is led from the outside into the middle of the belt, creating a powerful suction effect, enabling fine dust particles to remain in the conveyor section.
“This installation also required new site skirting to accommodate the AirScrape TailScrape and containment seal, as well as the extension of the existing chute tunnel and custom- made Dustboxes.”
Studies in other projects show, that even after five years after installation and with continuous use in harsh conditions, these dust suppression systems hardly show signs of wear. Operational costs are reduced because there is no need for spillage collection, regular maintenance, or replacement parts.
The BLT WORLD and ScrapeTec teams work closely with customers in many industries to solve the problems associated with dust emissions, material spillage and conveyor belt damage, that can lead to production downtime, costly repairs and even dangerous accidents.
Advanced solutions for conveyor systems are used in diverse sectors, including the handling of difficult bulk materials, like corn and feeds, cement, fertilizer, coal and minerals.
