Many coating plants rely on cold-feed systems from stockpiles, which on rare occasions may contain oversize or aggregated fines. These can cause damage and/or blockages, the elevator and dryer being vulnerable.
At CEMEX Aggregates (South West), in South Gloucestershire, as an alternative to close-mesh grids over the feed bins (which block relatively easily), Wickwar Quarry’s Supervisor Matt Knight proposed that a grid be incorporated into a hinged guard at the transfer point from the collections conveyor into the dryer feed conveyor. By opening a handle, the front of the guard swings forward, bringing the debris out of the head drum box, but maintaining a fully guarded head-drum due to the presence of the grid. The internal grid has an external gridded viewing panel so that build-up on the grid can be detected and, when necessary, cleared whilst the plant is still running. A simple but highly effective innovation.
|