Bucket Wheel Reclaimer Availability Improvement Project
Sedgman Onyx was engaged by BHP to investigate how to reduce delays experienced by a bucket wheel reclaimer.
The bucket wheel reclaimers at BHP’s Finucane Island reclaims iron ore fines for ship loading. They are critical items of equipment as delays in ship loading come with a significant penalty in lost tonnes and revenue.
One of the reclaimers experienced a high number of delays due to belt drift and blockages / build-up despite repeated engineering investigations.
Details
Location
Pilbara, Western AustraliaContract type
Engineering DesignStatus
CompletedSector
Mineral ProcessingExpertise
Client
BHPOverview
Scope
Working closely with BHP, we identified the underlying root cause for the belt drift delays and replicated these problems within our rocky discrete element modelling (DEM) simulations, which had never previously been achieved.
Sedgman Onyx developed a unique and innovative chute design from concept to detailed designed. The simulations were able to demonstrate the predicted improvements to flow and the improved centralisation of the material burden onto the receiving yard belt across the full range of machine luff and slew conditions.
Outcome
The chute has been commissioned, and chute performance has eliminated the belt drift delays and allowed a rate increase for the route.
This challenging brownfield project utilises our specialist root cause analysis and DEM capability to improve transfer chute wear life and minimise belt tracking problems.